I am on vacation, alright !!!
I did not have to work this week!!!
I has been wonderful not having to get out of bed by
5 a.m. and scrabble out to catch the train, wondering
will I be on time today!!!
I did not have to worry do I look alright.
Are my clothes on right, did I brush my teeth or comb
my hair? It has been very relaxing!!!
CLUTTER MONSTER
So I have no excuse but to do battle with the clutter monster
this week!!!
It is surprising how many infinite ways the past effects the present.
When I was a child I had no books or activities to entertain myself.
So what do I do when I grow up but make sure I do the opposite
with my own children. The result tons of mess and disorganization!!!
I have been doing battle with it all week and I will come out victorious
even though it has old fear and insecurity on it's side.
ON THE SHYNESS FRONT:
On the positive side I was pleasantly surprised at what I was able to do
when I took my youngest to the hospital for tests on Tuesday. I noticed that
I was a bit on edge but not in panic mode. I was able to converse with
restaurant attendants, shop keepers and perfect strangers with relative ease.
I was surprised how I answered all the questions of the nurses, doctors and
support staff at the hospital, very clearly and did not get confused or stutter.
I attempted to made small talk with most people I encountered when appropriate.
Yesterday I was trying to get to a store where I have never been and was out in
the middle of no where. I became very lost and confused but through asking
questions of people I was able to figure it out. I wanted to phone the store but
had no quarters. I nipped into a nearby naturopathic College and tried to look
like I fit in. I bought a stale croissant and a bottle of juice. I phoned the store and
got a call center, I did not any where with him. So I decided to re track my steps.
I noticed a sign that said the shuttle bus to the store passes right outside the
subway. I asked the next person I saw if it passed there and they said yes. I was
a bit uncomfortable but I tried to appear calm and collected.
What a learning experience it has been!!!
Hope you are all well!!!
with friendship, Ida. 
Replies
Wow, you had quite an adventure yesteray, but you made it through okay-good for you! I hate getting lost and having to ask for help or directions, but sometimes you just have to do it. I know about clutter. I have plenty of it at my house and always trying to deal with it, but not always succesful at organizing it-it invovles making decisons and I am not always good at that.
You\'ve been doing so much, making great strides Ida. Those moments, of feeling free from social anxiety/shyness, are incredible feelings! Even though at times, we feel uncomfortable, we must remember, the positive outweighs the negative, always! because, the positive makes us smile, and can make others smile. like a team! we are a team. it\'s always, 2 on 1, and anxiety/shyness, doesn\'t have a chance.
i\'m really proud of you, and how far you\'ve come, through all the challenges, rough times, you\'ve stayed strong, and always, have always remembered where you\'ve come from. You\'re very down to earth, and a true inspiration. i truly believe, you could write a self-help book. Your journals, really help, thank you! :)
That\'s fabulous progress! I\'m so pleased for you and so inspired by what you achieved on Tuesday. \'The clutter monster\' :-) he visits my house, too! *grin*. Hope you\'re having a good day today. x
You are making great progess. I\'m very proud of you, as always. :) Big hugs to you. ~Oli
You are starting to get some \"confidence\" in yourself! You are improving your life by conquering your fears......take care, Nancy
Well done to you for taking great steps towards getting better, you\'ve improved so much lately. xxx
wonderful progress!!! i am so happy for you! i can so relate to the clutter monster, i was/am the same way!!! hang in there, stay strong!!
Hey Universe.......appears that you worked with your shyness very well. Congrats! Thanks for replying to my journal. You are an unexpected guest. Suppose if I didn\'t lock everything up I might meet new people. LOL!
I like the fact that you are doing every thing you can to over come shyness. I am much like you and am always reading and think of every minute and every day as a challenge to get through it and come out with some accomplishments.
Yay for vacations :) You are awesome! You\'re doing so well. :)
I have those little insecurities and anxiety out in public at times. But it seems as though you are getting through it at your pace and that is wonderful. I hope you enjoy your vacation and tackle enough clutter so you feel that you have accomplished what you needed to. Take care and RELAX= vacation so let yourself off the hook!!!