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Original poster

AIBU to feel proud after managing a solo walk?

95 replies

QuestionableMouse · 24/08/2026 19:57

I've been struggling with anxiety and agoraphobia since my mum died in Jan. I haven't left my flat for more than a few minutes since her funeral in Feb.

I've just walked around my block six times by myself and didn't panic. Feeling very proud of myself at the moment! I know it's on a tiny thing but it genuinely feels like a huge accomplishment! 🥳🥳😁😁

OP posts:
ForMerryPinkCat · 25/08/2026 00:13

This thread is lovely. Well done @QuestionableMouse

WarmthAndDepth · 25/08/2026 00:33

This has made me so happy. Losing our mums is a big life event, and loss makes itself felt in some unexpected ways. You've just shown that you can hold both grief and a life that is lived courageously in your heart at once.
I'm a year into the same journey, and being out walking is one of the ways I feel 'closest' to my mum now.

Seaglasscat · 25/08/2026 01:17

Well some op. One step at a time.
sorry for your loss

ApricotTulip · 25/08/2026 01:27

Well done. I'm glad it's given you a boost.

Rainbowlou0001 · 25/08/2026 01:33

Well done, and we are all proud of you too
I lost my brother last year and still couldn’t do what you have done so good for you’

StrawberryBunnies · 25/08/2026 02:07

That’s fantastic ❤️

ZippyPeer · 25/08/2026 10:31

Great work OP 😁😁😁😁

iamnotalemon · 25/08/2026 10:37

I’m sorry for your loss. Well done on your achievement.

Icecreamisthebest · 25/08/2026 10:41

This made me smile! What wonderful news. Proud of you

mishgs · 25/08/2026 10:47

Fantastic! My DD struggles leaving the house so I know what an achievement this is. Be very proud of yourself.

CharityShopMensGlasses · 25/08/2026 10:51

Well done you! Thats a brave and brilliant thing to do and hope you feel better for it :)

Ooodelally · 25/08/2026 10:54

Well done you, I’m so sorry for your loss x
I hope you feel up to doing it again tomorrow or whenever feel right to you x x x

MrsAvocet · 25/08/2026 11:00

Well done OP. You deserve to feel proud of yourself. I remember the first time I left my house alone after I'd been seriously injured in a car crash. I only walked to the end of the road and back but it felt like I'd conquered Everest, and not just because of the physical effort, but because of the sense of vulnerability that being outside on my own brought, after months of not going out. Now I go out alone on my bike for hours , and up mountains on my own but it all started with that first short walk. Take it (literally!) one step at a time OP but you're doing brilliantly.

Tinydogssitter · 25/08/2026 11:03

QuestionableMouse · 24/08/2026 19:57

I've been struggling with anxiety and agoraphobia since my mum died in Jan. I haven't left my flat for more than a few minutes since her funeral in Feb.

I've just walked around my block six times by myself and didn't panic. Feeling very proud of myself at the moment! I know it's on a tiny thing but it genuinely feels like a huge accomplishment! 🥳🥳😁😁

That is not a tiny thing! It's huge. You should feel proud.

Elmtrees · 25/08/2026 14:02

This is wonderful news, well done @QuestionableMouse ❤️

Helpisonitsway · 25/08/2026 14:04

That’s amazing @QuestionableMouse, you should feel proud of yourself 💐

Acommonreader · 25/08/2026 15:27

QuestionableMouse · 24/08/2026 20:02

Thank you all! 🥰🥰🥰

Not sure what motivated me tbh. I just felt like I could do it do I did. It actually felt really nice being out in the fresh air l!

Well done for being so positive and pushing yourself! It can be so hard to make changes in our lives, you should be very proud of yourself.

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 26/08/2026 21:00

Thank you everyone!

I'm really sorry to other people who are also going through this because it's genuinely horrible.

Haven't been out since because I've got some sort of cold virus that's absolutely flattened me unfortunately ☹️☹️☹️

Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow so I can go for another little walk.

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 26/08/2026 21:02

Wow op this is incredible. I can see I’m a little late to the thread but what an achievement. I hope tomorrow you wake up and feel the same motivation to get round that block again, WELL DONE YOU - YOU ARE AMAZING 🥳

BlondeFool · 26/08/2026 21:04

Baby steps (couldn’t help the pun!). My friend who suffered terribly would stand in the front garden then each day would walk a little further. It was great meeting her in the pub a few streets away. You are doing brilliantly.

AssassinsEyebrow · 26/08/2026 22:19

whythehellnow · 24/08/2026 22:59

You are amazing and your strength is recovering! I don’t know if you play video games but my kids are obsessed with Zelda Breath of the Wild and I see your hearts and stamina increasing Grin

I suffered agoraphobia for maybe a decade after bereavement, it’s awful and very misunderstood in my experience. I couldn’t travel on escalators, couldn’t stand on train platforms or go to the cinema or concerts, the silence and the deafening sound of the emptiness around me.

I wouldn’t have believed that I could recover but I have. And you will. Time heals, be kind to yourself and celebrate every small step forward Flowers

Not wanting to derail the thread but can I ask how you overcame it? I'd love to be able to give some hope to a loved one and both your post & op's are inspiring

Shedsqueek · 26/08/2026 22:20

Well done. Keep it up.

Dodie66 · 26/08/2026 22:38

I’ve been where you are, couldnt go out for 2 years, take little steps and keep,going. It does get better, I know I had some days when I felt bad still but did manage to keep going, now I can go out no problem. Good luck xx

Original poster
QuestionableMouse · 28/08/2026 20:29

Ahhhh I did it again and went even further this time! 🤯🥳🥳🥳

Bit hard to see but I walked around the block of flats a couple of times and then went gradually further! It was just over 1km tonight 🤯🤯🤯🤯

AIBU to feel proud after managing a solo walk?
OP posts:
somanychristmaslights · 28/08/2026 20:49

Well done, that’s amazing!! 🤩