So anxious about returning to a normal way of life

[CapitanSandy]

I’m feeling so anxious about getting back to a normal life again with restrictions easing. I’m CV(cerebral palsy) and have been
shielding throughout only going out a few times during the whole pandemic. I’m anxious about anything hospital or medical related due to past trauma. I’m fully vaccinated and thought this would help me feel safer but it hasn’t really. I know realistically I need to get on with life but going and doing normal thing just feels so alien at the moment. It doesn’t help that cases in my area are off the charts right now.

I’ve been out a couple of times shopping and for a beauty treatment but I felt so tense uncomfortable and anxious. I think my anxiety is twofold in that I’m worried about getting Covid and how it would affect me but also that I’m not used to doing things.

Add in quite a stressful job, uni deadlines and family illness(not Covid related) I feel like a complete anxious mess!

I’m quite an anxious person anyway I had CBT years ago which did really help.

Does anyone else feel the same? How would you tackle this? I’ve looked into therapy briefly but always chickened out after setting up a session.

Anyone feel similar, or have any guidance in how to manage this?

If you’ve been shielding or anxious how have you managed getting back to normal?

Just as lockdown took getting used to, life past restrictions will.

Ease yourself into it.

Think about how you want to live by assuming that covid will never go away. Will you really never leave your house again except for a few necessary occasions etc?

You can only take sensible precautions,but presumably you were doing that anyway with the flu etc?

I agree with easing yourself into it. Each day do one new that might make you a little uncomfortable, like walking in a park, ordering from an outdoor cafe, going to the supermarket, then ease yourself into 'bigger' things.

I don't have any advice really as I'm not in your position but just wanted to say that I feel for you. I hope that as more and more things reopen you lose some of the anxieties that you have about it all.

I feel exactly the same. I'm not vulnerable myself but my husband is ECV, we're both double jabbed but with an unvaccinated 16 year daughter who really wants / needs more freedom, it's really really scary

Thank you for the kind replies I was worried I’d be told to get a grip. I’m going to start today with eating healthy to shift the lockdown weight and go out for some fresh air. I want my life back.

My husband has CP, although he was never advised to shield. He did get his jabs earlier than his age group, but that’s the only contact about Covid that he’s had.

Start slowly, and acknowledge that any type of change is a bit daunting, and it’s okay to be a bit daunted. Getting some air and focusing on eating healthily sounds like a good start!