Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Anxiety and Other Mental Health "Gifts"

Sunday a situation at the lake cabin induced a major anxiety attack. I calmed myself with help from DD1 but ended up leaving before 6:00 on Sunday-escaping to my own home. I wish I had more resiliency but just do not. While what happened was not related specifically to this being the 5th weekend in a row with in-laws, it contributed to how I handled it. Their personalities, bigger than life loudness wears on me. I should have known better and stupidly feel I set myself up for an attack.

What's worse though is I feel I wrecked my immediate families time. DD1 left Sunday night too instead of staying and DD2 came home with her dad, who always planned to leave Sunday night because he worked Monday. No one cared or were bothered by my leaving as I'm labeled, I'm sure, as flighty or peculiar. I am just starting to feel myself again two days later.

This too will pass but I'm giving myself a much needed respite before I'll participate in family events again. Thanks for reading and allowing me some therapy. 

I want to share a video series my daughter is undertaking as an intentional approach to investing in herself. Using the book, How to Train and Elephant by Jan Chozen Bays, she is taking each week for a year to work through the 52 chapters related to developing a more mindful approach to life. She's not doing this as a side business or for any purpose other than to have time to work on video for her own growth and to build a self accountability to reflection and change. I hope you take a look, like, comment, and share. While those who might typically watch her are likely not going to be the same demographics that read my blog, I think we (I) can learn a lot from a younger generation. 




9 comments:

  1. Have you read the book "Quiet" by Susan Caine? She discusses becoming overwhelmed by "too much" in great detail (too much noise, too many people, too much stimulation) and the negative effects in can have on those of us who are introverts (like me). It is a very interesting book and may be helpful for you. Patricia, Canada

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  2. "I should have known better..." Well, that IS one of my favorite Beatles songs. That said, if I worked, I don't know that I could imagine doing ANYTHING for 5 weekends in a row, least of all spending time with people who overwhelm me. Staying in your own home is an option. Personally, I would be very disappointed if, going forward, if I found out my DIL was struggling with a situation like this, but came out of obligation.

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  3. Some of us are sociable introverts...I can handle people for a while, but then I have to withdraw and have some down time. It's always exacerbated if I'm tired....I've learnt to manage these times much better over the years, but sometimes still get caught out. We've all got our own patterns Arilx

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  4. Really Sam you lost it on the 5th weekend? You are a Saint, and you may be flighty and you may be peculiar, but that is the way you are so love yourself and love your husband and spend very little quality time with the in-laws, that is what I do. Pat yourself on the back Miss Flighty, 5th weekend?

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  5. I fell in love with your daughter. She's a natural, and very charming! I wish her well in her project!

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  6. Take a good care of yourself, dear! Please don't say harsh words about yourself - instead, treat yourself as the best, kindest friend you can be. I would also loose my mind being with loud people for too long. We just need our space, and there is nothing bad or weird about it.
    My family and my deep connection to the Spirit is what helps me to go through hard times. Nurture your most valuable connections within yourself - and it will help your healing process...as I'm sure you do!

    Your daughter is lovely! Sincere, open and curious. I wish her a wonderful journey on this great mystery which is Life - we all are here together, exploring, discovering, and learning.

    Love and Peace.

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  7. WOW - that is all I can say - your daughter is AMAZING and gives me hope for our future - I can't wait to follow her journey!!! And in-laws....if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all so.....I'm not saying anything :)

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  8. I agree with what the others have said. As far as I can see you do an AWFUL lot, your schedule would exhaust me. I think those that enjoy the party spirit and the get togethers should be free to do so but some of us need our quiet time too. Don't put yourself down!

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  9. Thanks everyone. You are all a wealth of support. I've got a few sessions of not quite therapy set up, but some stress and anxiety management sessions scheduled, that I hope to then put into active practice. I'll also take a break for a while and give myself some head space.

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