Guess What? I was invited to a friend's party and almost didn't go because of the parking. Sounds silly, right? Not if you suffer anxiety. People have different things that make them anxious, and for me it's parking. Many years ago I was attacked in a parking lot, and since then I've had issues with parking.
I Was So Anxious
I was so anxious, I woke up early. I went on my cell phone and looked at a map. The tangle of one-way streets convinced me to leave an hour early.
When I was able to park next to my friend's house, I felt calmer. I immediately checked the time and realized I was 45 minutes early. Did it really take a mere fifteen minutes to get there? The blood in my face did a U-turn and came out of my palms as sweat. What would my friend think?
It's Okay to Do Things to Ease Your Anxiety
She greeted me at the door and listened to my bumbling apology. Thankfully, she was understanding, and it made me realize something important: "It's okay to do things to ease your anxiety."
If I hadn't left early, I might have struggled to find a close parking spot. And to be perfectly honest, I would have turned around the minute I learned I had to walk farther than a few driveways.
Focus on Things You Can Control
The important thing was I didn't let the hassle of anxiety keep me from participating. Instead, I focused on the thing I could control and came up with a plan.
You're Normal
You can do the same, my friend. What is causing you anxiety today? Is there something you can do to ease this worry? Can you drop a class? Make a list of reminders? Take a different route?
It's okay if you have to do something a little bit differently than everyone else. The important thing is to not let anxiety keep you in bondage. Come up with a plan for yourself and then follow the plan.
And, hey, if you need to leave early for an engagement and I happen to be going?
Relax. I'll be there early. Waiting for you.
I Was So Anxious
I was so anxious, I woke up early. I went on my cell phone and looked at a map. The tangle of one-way streets convinced me to leave an hour early.
When I was able to park next to my friend's house, I felt calmer. I immediately checked the time and realized I was 45 minutes early. Did it really take a mere fifteen minutes to get there? The blood in my face did a U-turn and came out of my palms as sweat. What would my friend think?
It's Okay to Do Things to Ease Your Anxiety
She greeted me at the door and listened to my bumbling apology. Thankfully, she was understanding, and it made me realize something important: "It's okay to do things to ease your anxiety."
If I hadn't left early, I might have struggled to find a close parking spot. And to be perfectly honest, I would have turned around the minute I learned I had to walk farther than a few driveways.
Focus on Things You Can Control
The important thing was I didn't let the hassle of anxiety keep me from participating. Instead, I focused on the thing I could control and came up with a plan.
You're Normal
You can do the same, my friend. What is causing you anxiety today? Is there something you can do to ease this worry? Can you drop a class? Make a list of reminders? Take a different route?
It's okay if you have to do something a little bit differently than everyone else. The important thing is to not let anxiety keep you in bondage. Come up with a plan for yourself and then follow the plan.
And, hey, if you need to leave early for an engagement and I happen to be going?
Relax. I'll be there early. Waiting for you.
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