I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. I would imagine handling a toddler would be a hard job and now you've taken on this other goal, which is a considerable one. I don't blame you for feeling anxious.

Deep breathing and relaxation techniques may help. Just taking deep, measured breaths helps me get ahold of my anxious thoughts. I slow them down and start to examine them one by one. I ask myself what it is I'm really afraid of and where those feelings are coming from. A journal is helpful for this, but I've found thought records used in cognitive behavioral therapy are the most useful. It forces me to identify the distortions in my thoughts and turn around my thinking.

I think those of us with anxiety have become obsessed with predicting negative outcomes. Maybe you're afraid being away from your child will leave a lasting mark. But maybe you can turn it around and think of it another way: you are doing something you enjoy, engaging in something creative and expressive. By remaining an individual with aspirations and interests of your own, you show that you are a strong, independent person and this will set a good example for your child. Take care.

From personal experience, if you feel like you want break down and cry, if you can go somewhere for a little bit, cry it out. Allow your feelings to release so you can accept them and move on.

For me, I've found I can do a lot of things I want to do but I need to work up to it. You have a couple of months before the play happens, so you may be able to do some exposure therapy - driving by the theater and just allowing yourself to feel whatever you feel - even if you have some anxiety. If it gets unbearable, leave and go back the next day. Just allow yourself time to adjust.

My issue with theater performances is that I feel I need an escape. You may want to make sure you have an understudy. If you have one, you probably won't need one but it can help with the anxiety.

Also watch the messages you give yourself.

You can ask your doctor for Propranalol (Inderol) - it's what performers and politicians use for stage fright. You can take it daily or as needed (obviously work with your doctor on this but it could be your solution) and it doesn't affect your thinking. It's not a tranquilizer or anti-depressant.

It would be nice if we could just do our life without any anxiety but unfortunately it's a part of being human for just about everyone. It's just that people have it at varying levels.

Hope you can find a good solution that works for you.

Hey Mastman :)

first of all, congratulations to your dream coming true! :) It is a beatiful thing to happen. Unfortunately, dreams come to our real life often accompanied by the resistance.
If you feel like you found something amazing for you, you have great expectations and feel a lot of passion towards that event or thing, resistance often knocks on your door, "sweeps over you suddenly", just like you described it. You want it badly, yet some part of you is scared of the change, of the extra effort and of the potential failure and disappointment, which could follow.

There has been a lot written about it by various writers, but most of all I adored the concept by S. Pressfield. I am sending you the link, if you would be interested in reading it. I am not too spiritual, but this article helped me A LOT and I started to look at these challenges from a completely different point of view.

http://www.stevenpressfield.com/2014/02/how-resistance-proves-the-existence-of-god/

Good luck :)