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Discussion Topic: Just sharing
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 bonnie |
02-06-2003 @ 4:33 PM |
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Joined: Feb. 2003
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Hi everyone,
I had a session with my counselor yesterday:) and as we were talking I realized I hadn't been doing something that was really helpful a couple of weeks ago and thought I would share it with you. It really made a difference and starting tonight I will begin again. When I first hit this panic setback, she told me to start writing again. To keep a journal so as not to get "full" of emotions which seems to get my anxiety going since I suppress alot, I found that I was writing alot of negatives. Not only who made me mad or hurt my feelings, but mostly "...didn't go to dance class tonight. Drove there but couldn't get out of car..." or "...attempted to go to grocery store, couldn't stand in line, left...I hate myself so much right now..." Anyway...after a couple of weeks of that I decided to write the GOOD stuff.  Things as simple as, "took the dog out today and not only up the street but AROUND the block...felt so good." or "went to store later with (husband) and even though I hated the line, I stayed and lived through it. Was so proud of myself after I went next door to the video place just to browse..." No matter how teeny these things seem to most and even to me when I am not in this "hole" the power I feel after doing them and writing them out was amazingly healing. I saw that I was so much focusing on what I couldn't do that I wasn't even noticing what I WAS doing.
That's all...just thought I would share since I slipped up and have to get back on track tonight in my journal. Got a few "goodies" to write down...
Hang in there guys... 
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| Anne-Marie, Site Director |
02-06-2003 @ 8:00 PM |
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Joined: Dec. 2001
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Hi Bonnie. Congratulations on those positive results! You seem to be moving forward and really helping yourself.
I moved your post here, because I feel it really is one way to challenge your anxious thoughts, and others may benefit from reading it here.
Keep up the good work!
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| Marianne |
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02-07-2003 @ 6:19 AM |
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Joined: Aug. 2002
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Hi Bonnie,
Yes, I agree, writing things down helps a lot. They're kind of no longer just slushing around in your brain causing havoc. Once I've written down how I feel and what I'm scared off it's no longer as threatening and much more defined.
I once had a bad attack on a train trip and started writing a letter to my therapist, telling her how terrible I feel and how scared I was. I really got into it and poured my heart out, and felt so much better afterwards! Kind of taken care off, and like I wasn't all alone.
Marianne
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| bonnie |
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02-07-2003 @ 6:07 PM |
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Joined: Feb. 2003
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Marianne,
Good for you. Quick thinking. I have grabbed a pen and journal at times when I felt like crying but didn't know why (which causes me to feel anxious) and would just write so that I COULD cry and then felt much better. I have found in my years of therapy (going back when an issue needs disecting and laying off when things are calm) that for me, my anxiety/panic kicks in when I am suppressing stuff. Could be anything, but the fact that I am sitting on it gets me there. Glad to see you are finding writing a great release also.
Bonnie
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| Diana |
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03-03-2003 @ 10:28 AM |
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Joined: Mar. 2003
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Hi
I too have a journal that I write in when i'm upset and can't express out loud or that there's simply noone to listen. But you're right they are all really negative thoughts. I think this is a really great idea! I'm gonna give it a shot! Thanks for sharing 
Take care
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| kingsford |
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03-04-2003 @ 3:29 AM |
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Joined: Jan. 2003
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I keep a journal as well, wish I would write the great things more often because it can be a bummer to read my past entries.
Ever heard of "The Artist Way"? It's a great workbook for finding your creative self. It actually encourages you to write everybad thought you have about yourself. The purpose is to help you get it out of your system so you can clear your mind for new thoughts. It also encourages you to write at the same time each day (preferrably morning) for at least 3 pages regardless if you have 3 pages to fill (it could be as bad as blah blah blah blah blah- as long as it's 3 pages). Granted I don't practice everything it suggested, I feel it was well worth the time in reading. Now I paint, play music, write songs, sew, and design several aspects of home interiors (my occupation/business. I know, I'm all over the board, and yes, I feel there is no end to the amount of things I need to do.
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| maria d. |
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03-06-2003 @ 3:45 AM |
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Joined: Mar. 2003
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hi bonnie, yes thank you for sharing that it is so important. don't you think that life is just a series of problem solving exercises? so if we approach a problem from a positive perspective doesn't that help. we are all so fragile its so important to celebrate each big and small step that we take. thanks again maria d.
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| bonnie |
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03-06-2003 @ 5:23 PM |
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Joined: Feb. 2003
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Maria and Diana,
So glad you see how much better it is to notice and focus on the positive. It is kind of like that "gratitude journaling" Oprah would talk about. As far as us and our axiety, I mean, just compare in your mind how you feel when you have just written all the ways you disappointed yourself today as opposed to all that you accomplished, even if it is just stepping outside the front door. I walk away with a smile and a sense of accomplishment. Oh, I agree there are times we do need that journal to get out some anger and stuff that shouldn't be kept inside. I just found that is all I was writing about. Now I remember to just sit down even when things are good and write about it.
Bonnie
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| Sarajo |
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03-08-2003 @ 3:46 AM |
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Joined: Mar. 2003
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Hello Bonnie and everyone,
Thanks for all the thoughts on writing. I like the idea of writing down the successes (shows how negative my mindset can be, because I'm having a bit of difficulty thinking what positives I could write about!) and I think it could be a real help to change my downward-spiral over-criticism of myself, which I tend to fall into at low points.
I so agree that suppressing stuff seems to build up and end up in overwhelming stress/panic etc, and in the past I've used writing to pour it all out, but I also agree that the "venting" writing makes grim reading afterwards...(could almost bring you down again just by remembering how bad you felt then!) In fact I avoid doing so; maybe we should do the venting on loose paper and tear it up once the job is done!
But the positive writing could be in a lovely book with a nice cover and using beautifully coloured pens, maybe...I'm already looking forward to trying it...and maybe I'll illustrate it too (I love drawing but it's one of the many creative hobbies I haven't found time for in recent years...): then it could be a lovely celebration of our acheivements, to keep, re-read and treasure!
Thanks all of you for getting me started thinking on this. So nice to share: all those worries kept inside make us so lonely don't they, when you think everyone else is coping fine with life..?!
More later, love, Sarajo
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| bonnie |
03-09-2003 @ 8:07 PM |
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Joined: Feb. 2003
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Sarajo,
What a great idea to make it a beautiful and colorful journal. Anything to make it positive and special. I know when you are in the deepest part of it all, it is very hard to find positives. When I first started, it was kind of hard to even think it would feel good to say two things like..."Went to post office today. No line! It was great! Also, Dropped off overdue library books finally. Didn't just THROW them in overnight hole, went in and put them in front desk!"
That would be about it with a little "feel so good about myself" here and there. It felt pretty good to write nothing but good, so I continued. It just took a couple of days to be able to find more things even if tiny, that made me feel really good to put down. Sometimes I even got tired of writing cause I was going into such exiciting detail...(smile). Within days, I was feeling so much better about myself, realizing "I am getting better. Maybe in baby steps, but they are still steps forward."
Let us know how "pretty" your "happy" journal turns out. It sounds like it will be really special.
Bonnie
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| Posted By |
Discussion Topic: Just sharing
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