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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

I am so glad you find it helpful Red!

I don't know what it is about your posts but I always love hearing about how driven you are to beat this. You have come so far and I know that there is only more for you to achieve, experience and appreciate. I actually get excited thinking about it because I know how much you will appreciate every success and every new experience!

I also really think you deserve to go and do this. I know I already said this but it is so true. You loved your quilting class and it seems every time you push yourself you have a great time. I know how much you will enjoy this. Get determined to go take what this life of yours has to offer. No more living in the dark ages! I have so much faith that you can do this and you will amaze yourself. Be sure to update us!

I also love how you say you are reinventing yourself. I was also thinking, maybe it is not reinventing but uncovering the authentic you! What do you think? What are qualities in yourself that you want to see more of?

Other members, how are you in the process of uncovering your authentic selves?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 659

Ashley,

Thank you for the information on dealing with mind chatter. Your description of mind chatter discripes me to a tee. I am sure I can do this. I am hoping with practice it will become automatic and the mind chatter will not be a problem for me anymore. I am going to print this post up and put it in my folder where I can read it over again and memorize it. This way it will become a automatic coping mechanism for me.

In answer to you question.

Going to the sewing machine mechanism store is very important to me. If I can go to the store it will be easier for me to go to other stores like a yardage shop and the class. The more things I can do the better I will get, and the more I will be able to enjoy my life. If I do not move forward I will be stuck in this agoraphobic place forever. The other thing is I am using a sewing machine that I got in 1978 and I think a new machine might be helpful. I have trouble seeing to thread the machine and the new machines have a automatic threader, better lighting, many decorative stitches, auto needle up and down etc. etc. which would be very helpful when quilting or sewing. I think this would make sewing a more enjoyable experience. This would take me from the dark ages and the cave into the new world of sewing. I have not been in touch with what is going on in the world out their for many decades now. It is part of my new life and the new me. I am reinventing myself.

Red

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi Red,

I think going to the sewing machine store is a great goal. As well as the classes, I know how much you enjoyed them last time. You deserve to enjoy these activities.

I remember when I mentioned mind chatter before. Let me see if I can replicate the advice

So mind chatter is the ongoing dialogue you have with yourself in your head. Sometimes mind chatter can get distracting and can even promote negative thinking. Controlling this mind chatter can help you stay focused on the present and the positive. For example, when you are in the sewing machine store you might be thinking, "Wow there is so many people here; I don't think I can handle this." or "Why is it so crowded in here; I can't breath." or any other thought. When you notice yourself doing this tell it to stop, (subconsciously of course) and then tell it to focus on the interesting sewing machine, or how glad you are that you are challenging yourself, or on the person next to you. This takes practice but each time you hear your mind chatter gently pull back and refocus. Abdominal box breathing found in the relaxation techniques auxiliary session may assist you also.

Red, what would it mean to you to go to this sewing machine store? What makes this goal so important to you?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 659

I am planning a trip to a sewing machine store about a hour from my house. I have been thinking about this off and on since April. One of the things I am concerned about it all the chatter that there will be in the store. I will be looking at machines there and I will be the center of attention. Which is something I am not comfortable with. I am afraid I will not be able to concentrate or focus with all the distractions. I also want to take a six week class at quilt shop this month. This is a new class and I have not been in a class since June. This is going to be a new exposure, and I am feeling a little scared that I will not be able to make myself go. I really want to do these two things, go to the sewing machine store and the quilt shop class.

Ashley, you gave some advice on how to deal with all the chatter going on around me in this type of situation and I am having a hard time remembering what you said before. Something about redirecting my focus on the instructor or person I am dealing with. If you read this post could you repeat that information again. It really helped me before. I would greatly appreciate it. This Agoraphobia is something I have to continually battle.

Thanks in advance,

Red

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 122

Hi All,

Just wanted to say thank you for the suport it means alot!

All my best.

sweatbee

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1665

Sweatbee: Congratulations! Give yourself a big pat on the back, you did it. That's what I do, take a break in the ladies' room when I need it. I just take my time, wash my hands real slow, breath, breath, breath and at the same time lots of affirmative postive reinforcement. Good for you. Hope you rewarded yourself!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 286

Sweatbee-

Congratulations! It's encouraging to hear that you are doing so well. I like how you took 5 minutes out to take a break by yourself and regroup, and then went back to enjoy the rest of the bridal shower. That's something that I should remember - that it's okay to take a break and calm down as long as you go back and face your fear. It sounds like you did a great job!

Teebs

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 659

Congratulations Sweatbee, This is a big step and you did wonderfully. You are on a roll now!!

Red

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 122

Hi All,

Today was the bridal shower and I wanted to let everyone know that

it went well!! I had to go to walmart and that gave me some strong

anxiety ( I haven't been to that store in over 4 yrs!) But I did not run

I worked through it, don't get me wrong it was hard but I won't let

myself run anymore. At the shower I was helping to get the decorations

done and had not had any lunch, and at one point I started to get those

shaky feelings and then people started arriving ( have been having a thing about

crowds) I just went into the restroom where it was quiet and clammed myself down

for about 5 mins and it really helped! The shower was great and I realized that with

the coping skills that I learned on this site and thinking about all of you that I could

have a good time and relax. I hope the wedding next month goes as well. My best to all.

sweatbee

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 122

Thank you Red, Lucid_Dream and Sunny 123 for all of your encouraging

words hopefully I'm on a good roll as I have alot of events coming up in the next

few months and would like to enjoy them so I'm going to keep at it.

My best to all.

sweatbee

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