You Know You're Making Progress When...

[WillyKat]

...[fill in the blank].

I'll go first.

You know you're making progress when on Monday morning you don't want to be alive anymore, yet there's a little voice in your head saying that this feeling will pass in a day or two.

 

[Kefira]

When you freeze up at going into a new store, but tell yourself it will be okay, it will only be a few minutes of your day, and you do it anyway.

When you have horrible startle response and hypervigilance and the last thing you want to do is sleep, but you can tell yourself it will be better in the morning and employ some coping skills to relax and get a few hours at least.

 

[illusionist]

When I was able to look in the mirror without the feeling of disgust.

When you start making small plans for the future .....because you find the hope for one.

 

[Just tryin to heal]

When you can start to connect the dots to recognize what causes which trigger. And use some of your tools to deal with said trigger.

 

[The Albatross]

You know you're making progress when you can knock on a door and introduce yourself to your new neighbors.

You know you're making progress when you can focus on the people in front of you instead of scanning the room/assessing for the nearest exit.

You know you're making progress, when you can differentiate stressors from triggers, frustration from anxiety, and you're life has stopped getting smaller and started getting bigger.

 

[Chincho]

You know you're making progress when you can go to a friend's birthday celebration instead of thinking of an excuse for staying home.

 

[Ellabella44]

You know youre making progress when you don't run from yoga class because everyone else is new and are able to fight to stay.

You know youre making progress when you go to a crowded fair filled with dogs and strangers and talk to over 20 people and hold at least 50% eye contact. And husband and daughter are there a few steps away to give you space and support as needed.

 

[The Albatross]

You know you're making progress when you're able to open your eyes in the morning and not immediately feel dread/anticipatory stress/avoidance.

 

[jaccat]

You know you're making progress when you're terrified about doing something for yourself, but do it anyway.

You know you're making progress when a friend invites you on a shopping trip and you say yes!

You know you are making progress when you finally decide to put your foot down and refuse to let people take advantage of you any more.

 

[illusionist]

You can laugh at your minor mishaps and not cower with fear or shame.

 

[The Albatross]

You know you're making progress when it's your last worst traumatic season and you're still okay.

 

[Spiderallis]

You know you're making progress when you can help someone else to learn a coping skill.