And Mid,
Here's to balance and what works for you. I'll give anxiety all the space it wants as long as it doesn't interrupt my life too much. And it really doesn't. Only freeway driving is when it gets me. But I'm working on it. Thanks for the comment. Italianmomma4ever

Hi Stooges,
Thanks! It's nice to be back. Been really busy. Staying safe also. And well too.

Lol. Yes my New Years resolution is a challenge.
What can I say. Love to cook and eat. Lol Everything you mention I like to eat among Italian food. I grew up with a mom that cooked her behind off and made big meals. So I guess I inherited it.

Got to stay positive and think positive too. Stay focused and don't think the worst.

Thanks for always liking my posts. I appreciate that. Italianmomma4ever

And Stooges,
Hope you had a Happy New Year!!!
And didn't eat too much.
Little joke we have going. Lol
Hugs and chocolate cream pie wishes. Lol
Italianmomma4ever

Thanks Stooges for the two hundredth hug.❤️

I don't like being alone for long periods of time. The things what trigger me most lately. Is my older sister and her drama I can't handle her.

My daughter she's back home from school having to do remote learning because a group of young teachers decided to have a huge gathering outside of school and they came back and they all tested positive for covid and because of it some of the kids tested positive including a few in my daughters class.im glad she tested negative.

I don't get people.they don't seem to get why ur not suppose to have such gatherings.

Hi Sweetgirl,
Yes being alone can be hard. Try to stay busy. Doing hobbies or even taking Maggie out for a walk.

Don't let your sister bother you. Take the high road.
Don't need the drama in your life.

Glad to hear your daughter is o.k. That's a big relief for you.

I don't understand people either. We all need to do the right things to stay safe. Thanks for the comment.

You take care and stay safe. Italianmomma4ever

And Sweetgirl don't waste to much time trying to figure people out. You never will.

Freeway driving ... is a challenge for everyone.

Even people who are 'comfortable' driving have to be in full surround awareness freeway driving.

It's doable, and one of those skills that you have - and you are doing wonderful with your anxiety and having it work with and for you!

Here's to a good year!

Thank you Mid for the kind words and support I needed to hear that.

Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!!!

Freeway driving I feel is easy for me. I never got my license until a year before my daughter was born. Because for work and my parents and grandparents was a walking distance and if I needed to go anywhere I was happy hopping on a bus.

I figured if I was going to be a Mom I would need my license for taking them to places they needed to be such as school or Drs appts. As my husband taught me how to drive and I learned on stick shift and took my road test on a stick shift. He taught me up in the mountains 2 hours north of us and he had me on the freeway up there and he even made me do it in snow a few times. Then driving in Boston a few times during rush hour traffic was scary which is a half hour 45 minutes south of us.was scary but because of the way he made me learn and on stick shift I've never had the fears of all of driving any where and when I took my road test the examiner was impressed with my driving skill.

My younger sister is to freaked out to drive in traffic or on the freeways.she hates driving.my husband pushed me to get my license. He got his day 1 when he could.no one in my family knows how to drive a stick shift and I won't get a car unless its a stick shift.

Hi Sweetgirl,
That's good how you were able to get your license. Your husband was a big help. And with kids you need to drive. The rush hour traffic here is scary too. But I do the best I can and just go with the flow. The more I drive the more comfortable I'm getting. So that's an accomplishment.

Sorry to hear about your sister. It can be difficult, but she has to keep pushing and doing it and it becomes easier. The more exposure you have to freeway driving the more comfortable you will feel. You have to challenge it head on. I know I will be o.k. Thinking positive and I like to listen to some good music too when I'm driving. That's a good distraction for me.

Thanks for your comment. Stay safe. Italianmomma4ever

I've dealt with anxiety & panic off an on for 31 years. On a 1 to 10 scale, sometimes I have had stretches of 3-4 years where the anxiety is a 2 or 3, and doesn't stop me from much. Other times, such as now, it's a 8 or 9, and doing anything is a challenge. I can kind of sort of function near my home, but the idea of getting too far from my home is out of the question at the moment, but hopefully, this too will pass.

Hi Slowhand_Blues,
That's a long time to have dealt with anxiety and panic. Sorry to hear that. When the anxiety is at a high level it is very hard to do much. Try to challenge it. I have driving anxiety. On the freeway I panic. But I have been driving almost everyday on the freeway and each day I try to go alittle farther. Today I had a good driving day. Some days not so good. But I keep at it. It will pass and you will be able to venture out farther. Just go alittle slow and each day try to go alittle farther. Baby steps. Good luck. You got this. Remember it's mind over matter. Italianmomma4ever

And welcome to the DS.
I sent you a friend request.

Thanks everyone for all your great comments.❤️