First Therapy Appointment Was Today

[WorkAtHomeGal]

I had a hard time being motivated to see my therapist this morning. It didn't help that I have been so tired with working my parents garden. I am not use to the work anymore so it takes a lot out of, but at least I am getting outside. Once I got in the parking lot of the building I felt good, really good. I wasn't even anxious which is a big deal! I think because I had been waiting for nearly a year this kind of was a milestone that just had to happen so I was positive.


I really liked talking with my therapist she is friendly nice and seemed to offer good suggestions. After the appointment I was inspired to come home and write in my journal and catch up on my blog which was nice too. I see her again Tuesday at 10am. She gave me some *homework* or a task as she called it. A big goal right now is for me to try and get a job, but it can be an issue with how bad my social anxiety can be. So during my searching routine she wanted me to write down any job titles and their descriptions to jobs I feel comfortable and good about applying too. She also will be giving me coping ideas for my depression and anxiety. And we will be talking about reading and writing 2 hobbies that I lost and want back. And my sleep too, she wants me to not look at my phone before bed, which will be tough to break because I do my reddit research then.


I wanted to update you all on this since it is happening at last. I am trying to be positive and hope for the best with it. Thanks for reading 

 

[Hedgehog]

Eep, it can definitely be hard just getting up the nerve / energy to want to go to therapy or be able to. Congrats on getting in there and taking care of yourself by giving it a chance! It sounds pretty good to me that she's already got some ideas on how to help you set some practical goals -- how do you feel about those goals / plans? Do they seem reachable so far or like they're reasonable for you at this stage?


Regardless, it's awesome that things seem to have gone well and been comfortable for you, and the achievement of just actually going is always worth noting. I've skipped / cancelled so many appointments due to low energy or anxiety, it's not even funny. ^^;;

 

[DDNatureLover]

Just going to the appointment is a positive step. It's great that you were able to find a therapist that seems to have many ideas about tactics that can help you with your anxiety and depression. I know it's difficult to put down the phone at bed time, especially since that's a quiet time that seems perfect for catching up on a few things before sleep, but I have read that the back light on the phones/tablets can interfere with sleep. Maybe you could try doing a little reading instead, and nothing stimulating, that would hold your interest and get your mind racing. It's good to hear you sound positive, and I hope this works out for you.

 

[Surrender]

i'm so happy for you! You have already made a step in the right direction and with each step further you are going to make progress. It sounds great that she is going to support you through the job search process. That is a difficult process for a lot of people, so it is awesome you have someone to coach you through everything. And just having someone to talk to about yourself and your goals is a going to have a positive effect. 

 

[kgord]

That is great WorkatHome gal. You have taken some real steps forward. It may take awhile before you get everything you want, but I think you have taken some steps in the right direction. I think that you can get some of the satisfaction you want out of life, by taking these small steps. Rome wasn't built in a day, and you may feel better overnight but every little bit helps. I hope you can get what you want out of life. Congratualations!

 

[Alex]

@WorkAtHomeGal I'm so glad you like your therapist and have someone you can face to face open up to. I know it can be hard to walk through those doors and you did it. Well done. I have been there walking outside up and down before I got the courage to go in.


I do think it's a good idea not to look at your phone before you sleep and to wind down.Maybe some changes in your patterns will help. I switch off my phone now, and only switch it on when I need to, and this is from a person who had three phones on all the time! It took some doing, but it is so much better for you.

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

Hedgehog - I have been there before with missing things due to being to anxious or refusing to go. I missed my 2nd appointment but not because of being depressed or anxious I didn't hear my alarm... So I am rescheduled for Tuesday at least. I think the goals are okay but some make me nervous but I want to give it my all regardless.


DDNatureLover - I did try the phone thing the other day but then the next night I was looking at it, it will take some work to break the habit.


Thanks all for the positive feedback! I really appreciate it  :smile:

 

[taco]

Looking for a job has to be about one of the worst experiences I can think of and I have always dreaded that feeling, filling out applications, going to interviews, and then getting shot down, pretty much a kick to the face day in and day out till you finally get a job. Have you had any luck yet?

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

Hedgehog - I have been there before with missing things due to being to anxious or refusing to go. I missed my 2nd appointment but not because of being depressed or anxious I didn't hear my alarm... So I am rescheduled for Tuesday at least. I think the goals are okay but some make me nervous but I want to give it my all regardless.

DDNatureLover - I did try the phone thing the other day but then the next night I was looking at it, it will take some work to break the habit.


Thanks all for the positive feedback! I really appreciate it  :smile:

Sadly I have had no luck. I was hoping to get on a food plant here for seasonal but they hired all their people and started the season... I never even got a call... So I am pretty down about it. I am still doing some garden work but that won't last for much longer.

 

[DDNatureLover]

Is your charger next to your bed? If so, maybe it would help to move it across the room, or to another room while you're sleeping? I've started shutting the phone off at night, because I realized the soft dinging noises and other alert sounds were keeping me awake. I hope the therapy is still helping you. Online work usually picks up in the Fall, and perhaps you will be able to find something like that to take over when the gardening job ends.

 

[Panic57]

If you like gardening or know about it, you might be able to do that on TaskRabbit. It would allow you to freelance and take on the jobs you like in a more informal situations than a regular nine to five, since you have anxiety. There are also other online sites where you can work without having to go into an office. It wouldn't be consistent work but it might help you baby step you way into a 'real job' if that is your ultimate goal. Good luck with your therapy WorkAtHomeGal!

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

DDNatureLover - I actually charge my phone by my computer desk which is in the living room. I only take the charger to bed if the battery is low. So I noticed if I am really tired from the garden I set my alarm and put the phone down with 0 interest to surf it or watch videos. If I go to bed awake though I seem more interested in looking at the phone doing random task. I have my alerts off actually so thankfully my phone doesn't make noise unless it is the alarm or ringing from a phone call. When the garden is done I will put more effort into job searching and in online, and hope for the best... I am trying to be positive about it.


Panic57 - Thank you! Well I guess my goal isn't so much a real job but to have stable income. The only 2 jobs I can think of that would allow me little anxiety at work would be back shift at a store stocking shelves (Those lately don't seem to hire though around here :/) or cleaning because I enjoy that. I downloaded TaskRabbit long ago but nothing came up for my area, I live in Canada. I just went to the site and it looks like you need a Zip code. I have thought of random stuff like that though like offering cleaning to elderly or something but my anxiety seems to push me back from doing anything real social like but I do want to overcome it.

 

[Alex]

@WorkAtHomeGal with the holiday season coming up, they will start hiring for temporary staff soon. Is that something you could look into now? Most stores and places hire around the end of September to train staff and get them ready for the busy season. It's worth looking into as many places want staff numbers secured early on now is a good time to look at what companies will hire.


I know some stores want gift wrappers, and as stores open longer hours there maybe more vacancies too. I do recall looking once and by October all the jobs had gone, because the Christmas shopping season really begins in September now.

 

[theduck7]

@WorkAtHomeGal I am so happy for you that you're first appointment went well and that you hit it off with your therapist. Sometimes doing something for the first time can be really stressful but it sounds like you managed to avoid that. I hope the therapist's suggestions will be a help to you and I hope you can find a job that you will be comfortable and happy with. All the best and keep up the good work.

 

[HappyKoi]

That's awesome! Keep it going. Therapy might get hard at times, but it's important to keep going, even if it's difficult or you feel you don't need it. This is something that will take time. Right now you are off to a great start, and I wish you success and happiness in the future.

 

[DesmondX]

@WorkAtHomeGal That is wonderful! I hope therapy is still going well! For months I have been trying to work up the courage to find a therapist, but I have this tendency to dream up ridiculous situations that will never happen, which leads to me talking myself out of it. It is testimonials like this that give me hope. I wish you the best!

 

[Quirah]

Glad your therapy session went well. I have similar problem to yours right now and I'm currently trying to find work too. I've been checking out a lot of work at home articles. Have you tried that?

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

Thank you for the comments everyone. Therapy is still going well although 2 goals she gave me still have not been met. Mainly because of working in the garden, I am just so tired when I get home and only get days off when it rains it seems.


Quirah - Yes I do make some money online as well but the past 2 months I have not made much because of working in my families garden. I will be going full swing into that again soon.

 

[listener1987]

@WorkAtHomeGal, I'm sure people would love to hear what's going on in your life in your journey with your therapist, and other things that happen! I know I would. We have a new Member Journal section for that if you're interested!

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

@WorkAtHomeGal, I'm sure people would love to hear what's going on in your life in your journey with your therapist, and other things that happen! I know I would. We have a new Member Journal section for that if you're interested!

Hey thank you! I did not know there was a journal section but I may check it out then and see what it is about and maybe share more.