Excited And Scared - Leaving The House

[Reclusive]

So... I picked up my camera again and OMG I missed it so much! I love shooting and I really want to get out there, but there's the agoraphobia thing and I can't take my anxiety meds if I'm going to drive anywhere, and I'm not even sure I can get my fiance to go with me to help keep me calm. Any tips to stay or become calm and not totally freak out? I should be able to call my fiance if worse comes to worse. I also need help psyching myself up! I want to get out SO bad!

 

[Brontie]

You need to have something positive to repeat to yourself in order to keep the panic at bay.

As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives. – Henry David Thoreau

 

[The Albatross]

Initially I gave myself a time limit. I sat in my back yard and drank a cup of coffee... then in my front yard.... I baby stepped it right out of my driveway and would do an errand for my husband. I would backslide on occasion, but I'd give myself a time then go back to where I felt less uncomfortable. My yard, and work myself back up. Being gentle but persistant with myself was a big deal. My inclination to stay and isolate is still there, but I can do the things I need to do now without freaking myself out. I'm doing the time limit thing with the trauma diary now. My husband wasn't very understanding but he did help me do some of the hardest things, like going to the mall, and being in a crowd. It helped to do some of these things alone though too.

 

[ronin47]

A moment at a time dear. Just as Albatross put it. Tell yourself, "I'm just going to walk out onto the porch." Then from there say, "I'm just going to walk out on the driveway," and so on and so forth. Focus on each little tiny obstacle at a time and before you know it those little obstacles will add up into bigger ones.

 

[Reclusive]

Thank you so much for the advice! And it's a reminder I need - I always jump into things head first and too fast and I forget that they can be broken down into baby steps. I HAVE to remember that!

 

[Reclusive]

Thanks again you guys. I went outside into my backyard today with my camera and shot some macros. It was really strange being outside in my yard. I have high walls around it, so it's pretty isolated. It was nice, though. There was sunlight and fresh air, and it was SOOOOO quiet! I used my macro lense to take some shots - it really helps me notice and focus on the little things. So I just spent maybe 30 mins exploring my backyard. Baby steps, right?

 

[The Albatross]

Yay Reclusive... back yard conquered. Good deal.

 

[Reclusive]

Well, I don't know about conquered - I think I'm going to repeat that one, though I am shooting the moon from my driveway tonight, so that's got to count for something, right?

 

[The Albatross]

Whoo hoo driveway!!! You betcha!

 

[The Albatross]

No kidding I remember how freaked out I was... you're doing great!

 

[Reclusive]

You know, it really feels good, too. A little cold, but nice. The driveway during the day will be an entirely different story, but it's so quiet and peaceful out right now....