New Years brings new fears

[Amw311]

Happy new year all,
I’ve never written on the regular anxiety form, just the health anxiety one. But truth is - my general anxiety is just as bad as my health anxiety.
I get very anxious when the new year comes around. For me, it’s like 365 new days for potential scary things to happen. I wish I could be one of those people who views the new year in a positive light, sees all the great things ahead. When I’m deep in my anxiety I just see a dark cloud looming over and a great fear of all the unknown to come in the next year. It’s very overwhelming for me. I’ve been extremely triggered lately with bad stories I see on social media. Just been struggling lately.

 

[cheer_mom]

I have had horrible anxiety all day. New Year without my dad. Feb 16 will be a year since he died. Its rainy and nasty outside. Just hard to feel positive. We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

 

[Amw311]

I have had horrible anxiety all day. New Year without my dad. Feb 16 will be a year since he died. Its rainy and nasty outside. Just hard to feel positive. We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I’m sorry about your dad. That must be really difficult on top of suffering from anxiety already. I wish I could have a more positive outlook instead of being fearful of everything. Not just for myself, but for my family. It’s tough. I don’t take medication, I do go to therapy but I feel like it’s not enough for me currently

 

[MakUSA]

I have had horrible anxiety all day. New Year without my dad. Feb 16 will be a year since he died. Its rainy and nasty outside. Just hard to feel positive. We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I feel you, my dads passing will be on Jan, 7th and I am not in the mood of new year new me. Its been 3 years and I still miss him a lot, but I need to act positive to keep my mother sane and healthy/happy. Sorry to hear about your dad

 

[cheer_mom]

I feel you, my dads passing will be on Jan, 7th and I am not in the mood of new year new me. Its been 3 years and I still miss him a lot, but I need to act positive to keep my mother sane and healthy/happy. Sorry to hear about your dad

I try to stay positive for my mom as well. I know the kids will be going back to school on the 3rd and I already feel lonely.

 

[Sweet T]

I guess you have to ask yourself if it’s helpful for you to avoid life or try to enjoy it. We are all going to have bad days and bad things happen. It’s unavoidable. But do you want to sacrifice the good stuff because you are worried about the bad?
Try to do something kind for someone else today. Even if it’s paying anonymously for their drink, putting their garbage cans up for them or helping them put groceries in their car. Any kindness in the world is a good thing. Absolutely guarantee it will make you feel better in that moment and maybe beyond.
My daughter wonders why I’m kind to people that do rude things while driving. I like to think if I were having a bad day and forgot my turn or didn’t pay attention at a light for example that people would be kind. You never know what someone else is going through.

I’ve been avoiding news lately and it’s helpful. Try to tell yourself that it’s not about avoiding bad things but that you’ll be able to handle whatever comes along. I lost my awesome job last year then 8 months later I was asked to come back to the company but in a different role. I’m so grateful but didn’t expect something so great to happen. Great things do happen too
Take care.

I have had horrible anxiety all day. New Year without my dad. Feb 16 will be a year since he died. Its rainy and nasty outside. Just hard to feel positive. We just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

We have chocolate cake for dinner on my son’s birthday. He always wanted to do that but of course I was strict and wouldn’t do it. Now we have cake and listen to Green Day songs. I cry and laugh. I don’t miss him any less but it helps us celebrate the wonderful funny, person he was.

 

[MATD]

I like Sweet T’s response. I’m going to add my own. I’ve lost a child and a husband, both to tragic accidents. Yes, it’s heart breaking. It changes us forever. But we still have to live in spite of the losses. I look to God for inspiration. He helps me see the big picture and I know that I will be reunited with them again. All of life is a struggle, negative things are going to happen, it’s inevitable. But to live in a state of mind where that’s all one sees is no life at all. I’m not doing it anymore. I’ve done it too long, enough! On the other hand, life is not about being happy every minute. I’m concentrating on being positive, appreciating the good and dealing with the bad, and using my faith in God to do it. I don’t feel like I have to be constantly happy, but secure in myself that I can get through the rough times as best I can and enjoy the good times.

 

[Nutmeg]

I've tried to convince myself that this needs to be the year I shun social media a lot more. It's ok to have in the background, but I need to stop looking every morning, every day, etc. It ruins my mindset, and it ruins my day a lot of the time. The first step for this was joining this forum so that I can be around people who's minds work like mine.. and less 'false narratives' written by people who are just trying to persuade themselves that they're doing ok. I don't think they realise the damage that can do to others.
I've also started making a list with my coffee every morning. I find it gives me purpose for that day, and I can look at it when my mind starts to spiral in the wrong direction... because that wrong direction can floor me for days, weeks, months. I have to nip it in the bud FAST. I really hope I can keep to that this year.

 

[Sweet T]

I've tried to convince myself that this needs to be the year I shun social media a lot more. It's ok to have in the background, but I need to stop looking every morning, every day, etc. It ruins my mindset, and it ruins my day a lot of the time. The first step for this was joining this forum so that I can be around people who's minds work like mine.. and less 'false narratives' written by people who are just trying to persuade themselves that they're doing ok. I don't think they realise the damage that can do to others.
I've also started making a list with my coffee every morning. I find it gives me purpose for that day, and I can look at it when my mind starts to spiral in the wrong direction... because that wrong direction can floor me for days, weeks, months. I have to nip it in the bud FAST. I really hope I can keep to that this year.

Sounds like you have a plan. Good luck!

 

[Nutmeg]

Sounds like you have a plan. Good luck!

So far, so good.. although yesterday I neglected my list and I didn't write a journal entry... I definitely felt a little lost.
I must be more of a creature of habit than I ever thought I was!

 

[Vincent]

I’m sorry about your dad. That must be really difficult on top of suffering from anxiety already. I wish I could have a more positive outlook instead of being fearful of everything. Not just for myself, but for my family. It’s tough. I don’t take medication, I do go to therapy but I feel like it’s not enough for me currently

Did your therapist not advise medication? Or is it your choice? I don't push medication and am not doing that here, but you might consider discussing it with your therapist if you feel like therapy isn't enough.

 

[Amw311]

Did your therapist not advise medication? Or is it your choice? I don't push medication and am not doing that here, but you might consider discussing it with your therapist if you feel like therapy isn't enough.

I have had therapists who have encouraged that I try medication but none have pushed it because they understand I am also fearful of medication and the potential side effects. New sensations in my body cause extreme health anxiety for me so I am afraid of having adverse side effects. But a friend said to me the other day, “well, you’re suffering either way so you might as well give medication for your anxiety a try” and she’s not wrong. I know I should give it a try.

 

[Vincent]

But a friend said to me the other day, “well, you’re suffering either way so you might as well give medication for your anxiety a try” and she’s not wrong. I know I should give it a try.

That's a good point. And in the likelihood that you'll adjust to the medication without any issues, it'll probably give you the foothold you need.

With these kinds of medications that have the potential for adjustment difficulties, they usually start you with a lower dose and ease you up as you and your doctor see that you're doing okay with it.