Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety Support Group
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, often precipitated by the fear of having a panic attack in a setting from which there is no easy means of escape. As a result, sufferers of agoraphobia may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places. In severe cases, the sufferer may become confined to their home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this "safe place."
Hello,
I am new here and I would really appreciate hearing about your experiences regarding how to recognize when you should keep pushing or when to let go and quit.
I just moved back to my country after 6 years of being away. I never mastered the language of the country I was living in and I worked online so my social life was limited to my boyfriend, his parents, and the 1 friend I made there. I actually loved it but I guess that was as comfortable as a comfort zone can get.
Now that I got back I figured a more structured job would be good for me and I got a job as a teacher. I have taught before so I thought I could handle it but I really can't. My anxiety is through the roof. I have trouble sleeping and wake up stressed, can barely eat, have stomach pain and my heart is constantly racing, dreading the few hours I actually teach but ruining my whole day, everyday. It has been 2 months and I have tried meditation, journaling, exercising... and I just can't.
Is this a situation where I should just quit to regain my peace? I still have a freelance illustrator job so I don't NEED this. But I fear quitting would be giving in to my weakness.
What would you do?
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What I did both times that I returned to my home country after living abroad was throw myself into work so hard that I didn't have time to think about personal needs. The debate still rages over whether that was a good tactic or the source of future psychotic breaks, butttttttaaaaaaa..... I think I found a better balance on the second go-round and would jump at the opportunity for a third go-round, if it came along. It is an amazing world we live in and I remain hungry to experience more of it.
But staying on topic. . .
I do believe I suffered far more culture shock returning home than I did living in foreign countries. The experience changed the way I see the world far enough that the familiar suddenly looked far more foreign that I was prepared to process.
I like your logic on the structured job, but there remains the question of balance. Are you pushing yourself too hard? You have the best answer to that question. Trust yourself to know. My personal policy is that when in doubt, stay the course.
Either way, be gentle with yourself and patient with the process.
That is a good point. I did think that coming back home would be easier than it's been. I never expected to experience a culture shock in my own country but I guess it happens! I also moved back after a really bad break up so that makes things worse and I had the same idea that focusing on work would help.
I will try to find my balance though! Thanks again :)
I hope you'll take the time to surf around to see what other flavors of support are available to help you find that balance.