What do you avoid in your daily life? What do you no longer avoid?

[ms spock]

I am avoiding some paperwork, writing a resume, and writing a covering letter. I have been doing this for some time now.

I got up and went straight to walking. I went with my walking group, and then with a friend. I cooked breakfast.

 

[katz]

I guess my number one is the sex. I also don't step up and defend myself. I hate loud noises because of my childhood. My family would yell at each other so much that one day I decided "I have had enough". I decided - inside - that I would rather lose then fight. I still, to this day have problems defending myself and putting myself first.

It's so hard to put my feelings into words, that I avoid conversations with certain people. I know that what ever is said is going to be blamed on me. So all my feelings just stay inside me.

 

[ms spock]

Great awareness @katz!

I went to Weight Watchers, which is doing rebranding, and changing everything, and I don't care. I feel anxiety about going out, and lots of fear, but I make myself go. I also went to the morning tea/lunch afterwards as well.

I wrote a good covering letter. I was pleased with myself.

 

[cherileisman]

It will make me feel better to say the things I no longer avoid.

The grocery store
People in military uniforms
People with certain accents
Crowds (at least I don't avoid them any more than I used to before the attack)

Dangit that's all I can think of :( I was sure I've made more progress than this...

Thats a lot of progress @sunshineandmoonshine good job!

What do I avoid: leaving my room; leaving my house unnecessarily; grocery stores, post office, main street, cop shop, courthouse; housekeeping & home maintenance; having lights on after dark; yadayadayada

What do I no longer avoid: smiling at strangers & saying hello; walking around town unescorted in daylight; & greatest of all, pulp fiction racks and the library

 

[ms spock]

I am writing covering letters and resumes! I am doing much better.

 

[cherileisman]

I am writing covering letters and resumes! I am doing much better.

Oh man @Living in the 70s that's so great, you go! Consider sharing your secrets to success with shmoes like me who find those tasks so hard post-trauma... I hardly know the person I am right now & there is no doubt my skills are at sub-par levels, not having great output in the resume department lol

 

[Teasel]

Currently avoiding getting ready to go to a gig I have tickets for. Should go. Feel almost sick thinking about it. Dont have to go. Sick of this no life.

 

[Invisible Fire]

I avoid potlucks and any kind of social gathering. There is a potluck at work next week and I'm already trying to think of excuses.

 

[Cypress]

I still want to avoid social connections but I am forcing myself to make them anyway even though the effort makes me exhausted. Having a pleasant lunch with a co-worker makes my hide in my room the next day but at least I’m doing it.

 

[Lionheart]

Don't know if I have already stated this before, but I avoid getting into a motor vehicle whenever I can. I have severe travel anxiety and will do anything I can; pray, bargain, walk, cancel appointments etc. to keep from having to ride in a car or truck.

When I do have to ride, I hold on to the "Oh Sh*t Grip" for dear life and will not let go until the ride is over. This is related to PTSD and is one of the only areas of my life where I have not improved.

Sometimes, I can go without too much fear and other times, it is unbearable. It doesn't seem to follow any rhyme or reason.

 

[Cypress]

Don't know if I have already stated this before, but I avoid getting into a motor vehicle whenever I can. I have severe travel anxiety and will do anything I can; pray, bargain, walk, cancel appointments etc. to keep from having to ride in a car or truck.

When I do have to ride, I hold on to the "Oh Sh*t Grip" for dear life and will not let go until the ride is over. This is related to PTSD and is one of the only areas of my life where I have not improved.

Sometimes, I can go without too much fear and other times, it is unbearable. It doesn't seem to follow any rhyme or reason.

I feel exactly the same way. It’s even worse if I have to take a taxi or an Uber. I would rather walk two hours in a snowstorm than get in a car being driven by someone I don’t know. I don’t know why this is. My traumatic stuff did not happen in a car. I guess it’s lack of control. I live in a big city and I hate this.

 

[Lionheart]

It’s even worse if I have to take a taxi or an Uber. I would rather walk two hours in a snowstorm than get in a car being driven by someone I don’t know.

@Dubiousraves ,

Focusing on factors that you do have control over, such as who you allow to drive you, can be very helpful. I imagine it is tougher being in the big city and needing to use the taxi or Uber services. Still you can try to focus on the decisions you make with regards to transportation and you may find it helps you too. Good luck.