Nothing ever goes perfectly, even recovery. From what I’ve read in Dr Weekes book, set backs are to be expected. It’s not a sign you are doing something wrong, so she advises not to get excited over set backs. All it really means is you are still recovering, you just aren’t there yet. Keep on doing what you are, don’t deviate from your path. Don’t get sucked in to the “racking your brain” syndrome. Dr Weeks’ books are available on line , as well as Carl James’ book “It’s Only Anxiety” , which is based on Dr Weekes’ work.

Asuncion,

I envy you! I wish I had even one whole day without anxiety. And I've been living with mine for 25 years.

So I guess it is all how you look at it. Glass half full or half empty?

Don't over think it. That's great that you had some good days/weeks!! That means you will have more good days/weeks/months. Be happy and thankful that you are on the right path. Like @mtd said above, the road to recovery is not a straight line. It is more ups and downs.

Just forget about the "why", and keep doing what you're doing, and go live your life.

Good job!!

my own anxiety runs on mysterious cycles all its own. if there is a right or wrong to them, i have yet to identify them. i just work with what comes while suspending judgements as far as my judgmental brain will allow.

steadying support while you ride out your own cycle.
be gentle with yourself and patient with the process.

Wow, as someone dealing with a spouse who just developed severe anxiety with depression, your post helps. But if nothing is bothering you, can't you tell yourself things are reasonably good and go on with your life. This discussion, that the anxiety controls things, is perplexing, something like the guy who has multiple affairs messing up his marriage and family, and says, I would love to be faithful and I try, but there's nothing I can do. Well, of course there is.

Mtd, I have read dr Weekes book and I have carl James book also. You’re right in saying that when I experience a setback I feel like I must’ve done something wrong. This morning I prayed a little and that helped me get back in the mindset that it’s not for me to fix, only to accept, which is the strategy that Claire Weekes suggests.

Finding the method that works best for yourself takes time.

For me, the see-saw of balance helps me to find the good in whatever is happening in the moment. Even days mean I am comfortable all over. High days mean I often do more and keep going until I'm done. Low days mean I work harder to do the simple tasks.

I work with anxiety's help.

In regards to recovery not being a straight line, I think that’s what I struggle with the most. I keep thinking that once I get things right, my path will be going straight. I don’t look at setbacks as bumps in the road; instead, I feel like there must be something wrong in my approach and it calls for an overhaul of my whole way of thinking. Then I go searching for where I went wrong.

After every setback, I seem to come out of it with more brain power than before, like being able to think clearer and being able to “see” things better/ easier. I have felt like you do, what am I doing wrong? But yet here we are. I think we get caught up in little things like trying to be perfect, that cause the setbacks. But now I understand why setbacks are necessary. Every thing we don’t need is keeping us from going forward and we’ve got to take the time to address it, like being perfect for example.

There is part of your answer…you did nothing “wrong “. Something triggered you probably at a subconscious level so the why is not apt to be found. What has helped my anxiety the past couple weeks is doing guided meditations found on YouTube. The meditation type music is soothing too. I quit listening to the news.
Simply closing ones eyes disconnects us from our environment. It de stimulates us., Having the guided meditations keeps the focus on relaxing…even 10-15 minutes helps.
Above all it’s a journey so don’t get into the punishing “I did something wrong “ attitude. Dr. Joe Dispenza and Dr. Bruce Lipton on YouTube have great information for understanding the brain. Helps to learn how to run it instead of it running us.

there are not too many straight lines anywhere in Nature, asunscion.

gots to go with the flow, especially around those bends of life.

steady as she goes, cap'n.

In my personal experience anxiety is more something to be managed long term, similar to a chronic condition. So my personal goal is to always try to see my anxious moments with some objectively, almost like an observer, and reminding myself, this is not going to kill me; it's not the end of the world and it's ok to ride it out. Recognize the waves and ride them out using the tools learned to manage the moments. You've got this.