~ The Toolshed ~

[Jynx]

Appreciate you saying @Glisten - I can see where you're coming from. To me, it is similar to the saying, 'He who worries suffers twice'. I can understand the peanuts comic might sound like the sentiment, "Don't worry, be happy!" which so many of us have felt so invalidated by. For me in my journey, I had to learn when to worry. I think this sums it up better than I can right now: 

To me, the sentiment is not "just stop worrying about things!", it's about realising how much energy one might be putting into worrying about something, when doing so won't actually make the situation better. Anxiety is the voice of our survival system, so it's not something we can ignore, nor should we. But it can become maladaptive, which mine certainly did - and I had to really spend some time reflecting on my worries, to realise that 90% of the things I was worrying about never actually came to pass. The amount of time and energy I spent worrying was far more of a strain on my mind and body than any of the stuff I was actually anxious about. 

So for me, it is a helpful reminder!! But not all of these little pics or quotes or whatever are going to resonate with everyone, cos we're all different! I appreciate you being open and honest about how it's made you feel, and I'm always open to continue discussing it with you if you wanted to share your take on it all 💜

[Glisten]

Good point @Jynx 

I wonder if there is a constructive way of using worry? To emotionally prepare for the worst, while hoping for the best possible outcome?

[Jynx]

@Glisten mm good point! I think it does serve a function for us, as like a mental construct of the possibilities of the future that allow us to plan accordingly. It is when the worry is endless and doesn't actually give us the tools to change the possible outcomes that it could be said to be maladaptive. Maybe that's the difference between worry and anxiety? 

For me it's about how much time it occupies my thoughts. Like if I'm worried about having enough money for something, I might change my spending habits, so that worry was a constructive one - so long as I only spend as much time thinking about it as it is relevant, ie.e only when I'm at the shops or something. But if I'm anxious about having enough money, it might look like more than just changing spending habits, and would be if I'm constantly thinking about how much is in the bank, even when I'm trying to get on with other stuff. 

Thoughts?

[Glisten]

You know @Jynx when you point the difference between worry and excessive worrying leading to anxiety, it’s so obvious.

I guess my anxiety is triggered when I don’t sleep properly. Sleep deprivation makes me stupid. Honestly some days it feels like I have brain damage.

Like today.

[Jynx]

@Glisten Aww hun! I feeeeel that. Lack of sleep makes my brain sooo laggy, it's like it takes several seconds to process everything and makes me feel like I'm glitching out or something when I can't keep up. 

I hope you can get some rest tonight!

[Glisten]

@Jynx @Appleblossom @tyme @toodles @scruffypuffball 

 

 

[scruffypuffball]

@Glisten @Jynx @Appleblossom @tyme @toodles @TideisTurning @NatureLover @Dimity @Snowie @Patches59 

Signs you are healing:

[Glisten]

@scruffypuffball  it is well worth the work. 

[Appleblossom]

Yes @Glisten it is.

@scruffypuffball 

Worth reading and reflecting on. Thanks.

I have come a long way and forum expression and forum wisdom and forum friends have been the biggest contributors.

Grateful.

[toodles]

Hey @Glisten @Jynx @Appleblossom @scruffypuffball @tyme @Jupiter @hanami & everyone!

Finally a moment to catch up! Great new memes! 

I hope you all had an ok Christmas. I don’t like the excessive socialising and it’s been hard to have my first sober Christmas, but I made it.

Maybe the quote below can give me strength to face the exposure I have to go through next year 😞