First day in school was hectic, but fun. Common tears were shared, for this is one of the thoughtful days. And to tell a seven-year-old that the world looks and feels different is quite a task.
But we made it. In this post, I will try to describe what I do to cope with my anxiety disorder in the hope that it will bring comfort and inner peace to anybody who might read this.
When I feel that an anxiety attack is on its way, I practice breathing exercises. My favorite is to focus on my senses. So I look at five different things, touch four other items, listen after three noises or make them myself, pick two things to do, and say the word one.
Usually, it is enough to redirect my mind from the physical effects of an anxiety attack. Another method is to try to ride along with the attack, meaning that the primary focus is on calming the breath.
Diversion, diversion, and diversion. If possible, I speak with my loved ones about it. It depends on how they are coping. If it is a bad day for them, I talk to myself. And tell them when they can handle it as well as anything else these days.
Right now, I´m on my own in my creative den. Everybody is doing their stuff, and I fight an anxiety attack as I write these lines. It haunts me most when the silence is too much to bear or right before the news.
I feel a lot of inner stress, and it makes me restless and irritable. We are good at telling each other how we feel and at creating enough mental space to be humans in.
Last night, some people thought it was fascinating to drive up and down the street for at least two hours in the middle of the night. It took me about an hour to calm down after that.
I really don´t see the point in doing such completely stupid things just to show off and in reality show us all how little a human being they are. It is so arrogant and meaningless.
I don´t need trivial complaints either. We are all in this together, whether we like it or not. And we have to make the most of the much that most of us already have.
My thoughts and concerns today goes to the lonely, the weak, and the many who are stuck out there with their concerns and worries.
To keep up the good spirit is not easy, yet this is what each of us must try to do.
Being creative minimizes my anxiety to a tolerable level, where I´m adapting to a feeling of long-term stress abrupt by a few hours of deep silence in the world.
Writing arranges my thoughts, so they don´t fill my entire day. They are running in the background so to speak, like the news and other necessary things to see and hear.
My prescription medicine treats only some parts of my anxiety. The root causes I try to take care of myself. I tell myself every morning that I´m strong enough for this, and that there will be light at the end of it.
But I also tell myself the truth and accept that there may come many tears later on. If not for personal reasons, then for the world.
What scares me the most is to see and hear how vulnerable we humans are, when the shit hits the fan, pardon my French. We have a lot to learn, indeed.
When everything feels lousy, I turn to online helping groups where it is possible to meet good people. The majority of people are kind, if you come with kindness yourself.
The minority will always make trouble, but in these days they are seen and heard. And no, nobody gives them a medal. So what is their kick worth in the end?
In my country, somebody has stolen necessary stuff from hospitals, others are cheating elderly people by pretending they work in the healthcare sector. How low will humans sink?
I hope that one day they will meet shame in the bathroom mirror. Then it is difficult to look oneself in the eyes.
How are you coping, dear readers and followers ?
Feel free to share your story and let´s us fight this together.
I know we haven´t seen nothing yet. But we will get through this. It will be expensive in many more ways than money, and it is the wake-up call from Mother Nature.
It is right now that we can shape a better future, if we only dare to work across borders of any kind between people.
Have a wonderful day, wherever you are. Lots of hugs and positive vibes.
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