Anxiety and Sunday. Handhold please

[Candymay]

I am struggling with my anxiety and worries. I wanted to sleep more but woke early. I’ve got so much to do but I’m exhausted. I feel so low. I’m letting everyone down by my failings. I need to keep going.

Sorry not to be able to offer advice. I just wanted to say you're not alone. I could have written this post too.

You’re not failing, you’re suffering right now. Make a list, might sound daunting but if you write stuff down it might help you realise you haven’t “forgotten” anything and as you accomplish these tasks the list will decrease. Some may even end up not being necessary. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Please be kind to yourself x

halfGreek is right about the list, and just do it slowly, bit by bit, with breaks in between. A cup of coffee, sitting in the sunshine? (it's a lovely sunny day here). Some nice music and a glass of wine? Sunday lunch to look forward to later?

I always feel worst in the mornings. It may lift as the day goes on sorry to keep gently busy and give yourself treats along the way. Sorry you feel like this anxiety is a bastard 💐
talk to us more if it helps. Tell us three good things about today.

Candymay. Snap. So tired, so much to do, so overwhelmed, so anxious.
Good luck today. Small steps.

so try not sorry!

No wine or Sunday lunch coming.
Thanks everyone.
3 good things today- beautiful children, beautiful cats, coffee

Hi anxiety is seriously affecting me at the moment as well and affecting my ability to get anything done. I have been struggling to sleep or stay asleep with the thousands thoughts running around in my head. I have found some of the YouTube guided meditation such as Michael Sealy helps me sleeps though it gives me something different to focus on.

Kids and cats for company sounds good!
We can't have cats due to allergies unfortunately.
Have you had your first coffee of the day yet? I am having a green tea with my feet up. Nice to be in my warm dressing gown again and am going to get my winter/autumn wardrobe out of the loft later. Seems like I only put the clothes up there last week!

I feel like everything is a disaster because of my anxiety. I used to think this was depression but I think it’s anxiety and panic. Very terrible at dealing with things. I’ve always been alone. Lots of addiction issues. I’ve made mistakes and I’m so stressed and low. Ashamed mainly. And I feel terrible that I’m making my eldest child suffer because he is also anxious and panicked. He’s an adult now. I feel I have damaged him.

You aren’t failing and I guarantee your family don’t think you are either. Just break down what needs doing into tiny tasks and then, here’s the key, ASK FOR HELP. Don’t assume you need to do everything or that every other person is managing to do everything themselves (so why can’t you) - sound familiar?!

Take care of yourself, anxiety is a bitch.

Make sure it’s decaf! Caffeine is the worst thing for anxiety.
Break your tasks down OP, do one small thing first.

Candymay both my parents had MH problems and me and my siblings have all had therapy but in some ways it has made us stronger. As long as you encourage them to seek/access help when needed you are doing your absolute best.

Arcadia thank you. I’m just having my first coffee now. Very tearful though. The kids and cats are wonderful. I take on all the responsibility though. I mean even for the cats- I worry about their lives and whether they are happy enough and would they have rather had a life with a garden. Basically I’m full of shame and doubt.

Thank you everyone for your supportive comments. I can’t tell you how much it means. I feel supported and encouraged and it’s changed my mood. I know I’ll struggle again with the panic but I am grateful for any moments of comfort.

Glad you are feeling a bit better. You can't be perfect for people (and cats!). What you can do is love them.

candymay
From the maras clan.

I salute you for posting Candymay. I am new to MN and am often a bit taken aback by some replies to posts, but my observation has been that this is a real community of people who care and empathise when it counts and your post and the replies have actually really helped me (selfishly I guess) this morning😊 Everybody needs a handhold sometime.

I get where you are. I am the same and often have anxiety in the pit of my stomach. I’d love to calm down. I will start today with a list. It makes things more manageable. Don’t be hard on yourself . Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.

Are you able to get outside and go for a walk? Even just for 10 minutes. I find it hard to make myself do this when I’m amxious but when I manage it, I always feel a bit better.

Hugs to you, anxiety is shit x

Shame is the most horrible thing. It infects everything and turns everything to crap.
Keep one step ahead of it

I agree with you about the walk- I notice things are better if I can get out. The trouble is I feel I can’t get out when I feel like this. So tired and anxious. Vicious circle I know.

And yes that awful pit of the stomach feeling and the panic and sadness. It’s so hard to live with.

Sorry you're feeling low. Try and go for that walk it'll blow the cobwebs away. Hope you feel better soon

Thank you. I’ll try to do that.

I really want to say to the others of you that feel this way, I hope you have managed to get through the day and to have found some support. And I’m really sorry that you know this feeling SeaViewBliss, Squeegle, ColumboOnTheCase. So kind Maras. Moved me to (more) tears. I still haven’t managed to get out of the house but I have managed to put on a brave face and try to act normally. I wasn’t able to do that yesterday so that’s some improvement. Thank you for such kindness everyone who replied to me.