Hi Beverly,
I started this challenge in January as a result of a seminar I took. The most I have ever made it is four days. Some days I couldn't go an hour without starting over.
It isn't so much achieving the goal, it is what you learn on the journey to the goal Each day that you learn to identify a negative thought, where it came from, analyze its validity; put it into its proper perspective so that the next time you have it, you know how to counteract it. That is just one less negative thought to take you down.
See, it is those negative thoughts that can spike our symptoms by increasing anxiousness or depression. Those same thoughts erode our self-worth and self-esteem. It took years to get where we are, so getting better won't happen over night.
Point is, when you start, look it in terms of what you have accomplished in that hour. Do not beat yourself up, look at it as progress; because that is what it truly is. This is really a little CBT exercise. So it can really help. Keep it as a competition with yourself and not others. We are here in this thread to support each other and to celebrate each others accomplishments.
Deb
