I Have a lot Going On, Anxiety is Coming Back

[Camden]

I’ve had a really rough December. I’ve had a lot to worry about this month with the Christmas season and pressuring myself to make the best of my time with my family, buy the right gifts, take time off work, etc. I had a nasty OCD setback earlier this month too. I feel myself becoming more tense and emotionally on edge now that Christmas is over and I’m going back into the real world of regular schedule at work.

I had an awful first day back at work today. I’m just trying to put it behind me and move forward…

One of my grandparents has just had a rapid worsening of their dementia. It’s so sad to see. It’s such a tender and sensitive subject, that I’m afraid to discuss it too much with other family members.

Yesterday I broke down and began crying as I thought of how the Christmas season is over and how anxious and confused I feel about:

Upcoming new year

Covid and how it affects my work and church activities.

Waning time with family visiting from out of town.

Grandparent taking a turn for the worse with dementia.

Drama and stupidity at work.

My same old OCD thoughts about getting fired or otherwise messing up at work.

I’m hoping and praying 2022 will be a good year and January will be a better month for me. I really had a painful moment yesterday where I just needed to cry it out. Eventually I told myself to put on a brave face and get on with what I needed to do.

 

[Nutmeg]

You have so many separate things weighing on your mind at the moment, it's not surprising you're having such a rough time.
I too feel strange about this christmas season, I feel as though this was going to be the relief from the last two years of uncertainty, but in the end it wasn't due to covid. Thankfully I was able to see my grandparents before the new variant picked up pace - I'm scared because they are 90, and I know the years we have left are are blessing.

Work can someties be the extra weight on top that needn't add to our pain, but it does, especially when there's drama. I don't know what your work situation is, but mine gives me a lot of extra anxiety at the moment, mostly from collegues. I just want an easy, happy day... but not every person is designed the same way, and some thrive off disruption and drama. It's so hard to put ourselves above it.

I've bought myself a journal 'Chaos Coordinator' it says on the front. Each page has a space for the date, and then a space to list things for that day, and a priority section. I've only used it for the first time today, but I found it soothing to write my 'to-do' things in. A distraction I suppose.

 

[MATD]

Setbacks are normal. Keep things in perspective. You can do this. Crying is good, it releases the tension, have at it.

 

[derrickmyles]

I’ve had a really rough December. I’ve had a lot to worry about this month with the Christmas season and pressuring myself to make the best of my time with my family, buy the right gifts, take time off work, etc. I had a nasty OCD setback earlier this month too. I feel myself becoming more tense and emotionally on edge now that Christmas is over and I’m going back into the real world of regular schedule at work.

I had an awful first day back at work today. I’m just trying to put it behind me and move forward…

One of my grandparents has just had a rapid worsening of their dementia. It’s so sad to see. It’s such a tender and sensitive subject, that I’m afraid to discuss it too much with other family members.

Yesterday I broke down and began crying as I thought of how the Christmas season is over and how anxious and confused I feel about:

Upcoming new year

Covid and how it affects my work and church activities.

Waning time with family visiting from out of town.

Grandparent taking a turn for the worse with dementia.

Drama and stupidity at work.

My same old OCD thoughts about getting fired or otherwise messing up at work.

I’m hoping and praying 2022 will be a good year and January will be a better month for me. I really had a painful moment yesterday where I just needed to cry it out. Eventually I told myself to put on a brave face and get on with what I needed to do.

Don't worry you will be having a good year ahead, But I must say your concern is very right anxiety, you should keep doing coping strategies, exercises, deep breathing and making your life healthy, make your sleep pattern better. Mental relaxation is much needed. Just stay away from stress and think positively I am sure you will get rid of this situation permanently.
Best of luck.

 

[Camden]

Don't worry you will be having a good year ahead, But I must say your concern is very right anxiety, you should keep doing coping strategies, exercises, deep breathing and making your life healthy, make your sleep pattern better. Mental relaxation is much needed. Just stay away from stress and think positively I am sure you will get rid of this situation permanently.
Best of luck.

Thank you!

I’ve continued to have to navigate stressful and anxiety/ocd provoking situations this week. My latest tailspin of anxiety comes from the New Year. I feel like a new year is a new chance for new problems to develop and new crisis situations to blow up at work. I admit I’m a chronic pessimist, but I simply can’t shake the feeling that danger is lurking.

When I stop and think more deeply, I know the flip side of my intrusive negative thoughts is that a new year is a wonderful new opportunity for great things to happen and to go live my life. Remembering to focus on things to be grateful for really helps me to see the unknowns of the new year in a better light. I know I have a great support system of friends, family, church group, and counselors to go to.

 

[MATD]

Remember to give yourself credit for your efforts, this is important in building self confidence, which is the one of the biggest issues that contributes to anxiety. Although having a great support system is good, you are your biggest support, aside from God. Think about it.