Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
I just wanted to share some success that I had today of taking control of my anxiety. I have been working at a daycare for about 9 months and today was the first day that I answered the phones. I always saw answering the phones as an intimidating task. I felt like I wouldn't know what to do or how to answer parent's questions. I'm such a perfectionist and a lot of the time I'm afraid to be wrong and the thought of being wrong causes a lot of anxiety, and answering the phones provided a chance that I would be wrong. It was a task that brought on lots of anxiety. At least I thought it was, but today I realized that it's not answering the phones that causes anxiety, its the thoughts I have about it. After I realized that, I started telling myself that I could do it, that it's ok to not know every answer, and that I can always ask someone or take a message until someone who knows the answer can call back. I was nervous every time I answered the phone today because I didn't know what they were going to ask, but each one got easier. I stopped freaking out so much. I let go of the fear of being wrong or not knowing. Changing my thoughts really was the key. It felt so good to take control of my anxiety instead of letting it control me. I'm actually glad that this task got forced upon me at work today because it taught me something about myself and took me one step closer to the end of my winning fight against anxiety. I'm actually kind of excited to go to work tomorrow and have to answer calls because it gives me another chance to take control and push the anxiety to the side. It's amazing how such simple little thoughts can have such a big impact and how consciously changing thoughts can have an even bigger impact. After the rough times I have gone through with my anxiety over the past couple years, these little victories are really exciting to me and they are really encouraging when I look back and see how far I have come with managing, understanding, and taking control of my anxiety.
Personally, there's more thoughts and feelings tied to this experience than what I was able to say here, but it's hard to explain. I'm not sure if I explained enough that anyone will see the success in this that I see or understand how this is exciting for me; but this is the type of thing I would tell the counselor about, but I only see her while I'm away at school, so I figured this was the next best place to share some success that I am excited about.
Personally, there's more thoughts and feelings tied to this experience than what I was able to say here, but it's hard to explain. I'm not sure if I explained enough that anyone will see the success in this that I see or understand how this is exciting for me; but this is the type of thing I would tell the counselor about, but I only see her while I'm away at school, so I figured this was the next best place to share some success that I am excited about.
But I think the most important thing is that you faced your fears and addressed your negative thinking. I've had a lot of success with that, too. I agree, it is hard to explain, but if you just face your fears two or three times, the anxiety melts away and your entire perspective changes. It's an amazing thing!
Not only that, you shared with us and that's going to help other people.
I hope you're celebrate big time. And congratulations!