does this happen to anyone?

today was a tough morning - well, it still is morning technically (late morning.)


My routine has shifted to being 'out of the ordinary' today. 


It was a weird Zoom call with the family and now I am on my own 


for the remainder of the day. It feels good and empowering writing this out


btw.


I was feeling so high strung with the sky's the limit worth of choices


to do with my day and the anxiety just made me freeze like a statue


while on the couch.


I thought about coming on here after a while and just writing about it.


My anxiety creates a kind of frozen version of me...


Does that ring a bell for anyone?


It's super hot out. I would go for a walk but I'm not a fan of extreme


heat.


I'll have a bowl of cereal and then go to the gym.

Replies

malibumark
malibumark

Although it’s the weekend, and whereas I would usually use this time to hang out eating and drinking, I think I’ll choose the self responsible course of action as it will make me feel accomplished and help my anxiety by focusing on concrete achievable and pragmatic goals. It’s easier to focus on those building blocks type things, as they’re kind of ‘built in’ and it’s better for me as well. I’m looking forward to work tomorrow.
MayB
MayB

Yep that's how anxiety works alright. Good job for going to the gym!
malibumark
malibumark

thanks MayB!
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD

I agree ... Good Job sweetie... I used to have really high anxiety and even panic attacks at times.... Medication has simmered me down a lot... Actually flattened me..... Big hug of cool Marky... xo
malibumark
malibumark

Thanks Jan! x
arfie
arfie

yup, it rings a big bell. the good ol' 4 f's of the lizard brain. freeze, flight, fight and fawn.

herstorically, i have been far more prone to flight than freeze, but? ? ?
is it an improvement that, at 69, my energy has finally lowered enough that i can now stay frozen? interpol is ever so grateful they don't have to keep up with me any more.
malibumark
malibumark

Thanks Arfie!
malibumark
malibumark

It's also coming to me that if I choose to do something superfluous,
then I sense I am wasting time in the process of taking care of life.
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady

Lately I have been allowing myself those times of being frozen by “anxiety of too much to wrangle” and just allowed the rest I needed. It happens for me lately - where I should be working on something and I’m frozen on the couch. My therapist reminds me the big project I’m working on is a process.

I’m taking five to respond to your journal- I’m putting together some cheap particleboard shelving units for my home office and it’s exactly the project I needed today.
ccleaver
ccleaver

This is a form of disassociation it's common another form is just letting the brain check out or even having multiple personalities. It is an adaptation that humans have formed. Practicing calm meditation and taking medication helps if this happens too often.
malibumark
malibumark

Thanks very much Nikki! Thanks ccleaver!’
arfie
arfie

time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. ~bertrand russell

go make some superfluous joyful noise. the bible commands it.
malibumark
malibumark

Heh thanks Arfie!