Normal stuff you wish you could do

[Darkdiamond]

Mine is wear jeans. I have the flattest, most rectangular shaped bottom and every pair of jeans (or any trousers actually) I have ever tried on look horrendous from behind. I have found jeans that look good everywhere but when I turn around its a different story. I just could not feel confident in jeans unless I jave a long top on over the top. I would love nothing more than to just throw on a t shirt and jeans because I just love that look but it looks awful!

The second is drive anywhere beyond my few tried and tested routes. I have been driving the same few routes for years and I cannot deviate from them. When I try its like I have been punched in the face: I can't think properly, all of the signs completely overwhelm me, I become so anxious my heart hammers in my chest and I make really rash and dangerous decisions out of panic. I go into immediate flight, fright or freeze mode and it feels like I am being made to.solve a really difficult calculation while someone is hitting me around the face. When I try to push myself out of my comfort zone (and I have) it usually results in people beeping at me and me pulling over to burst into tears. My tried and tested routes are completely fine and I am safe, careful and attentive on the road.

Anyway, those are two regular, run of the mill things that I feel like I cannot do.

What are yours?

Wear strapless or low cut dresses. I had a bilateral mastectomy 12 years ago without reconstruction. I do wear prostheses but because all the breast tissue was removed my chest is concave and anything low cut looks awful.
I don’t regret not getting recon but I do get jealous of nice boobs!

Drive confidently everywhere. I really envy people who can drive on motorways and on unfamiliar routes with ease.

Swim.

Tolerate the heat/sun: i suffer from chronic migraine and 2 of 3 year 6 leavers events are on the school field this week. I am dreading them as I know I will be in extreme pain even with all the medication, water and shade in the world. I should be crying about them leaving but I am selfishly crying about my own pain

OP do you really go around IRL judging others on a regular basis for wearing jeans that don't look good enough from a rear view, or for having whatever these hip dip things may be? We really do go out of our way to beat ourselves up for having perfectly normal, body shaped bodies.

Mine is calling trades in to get work done on our home. Hate, hate, hate it, I never have the confidence to spot a legit person from someone who is taking me for a complete mug, and I put it off for literally years when things need doing.

Ride a bike, drive a car

I'm really very competent is many areas of life (senior job, great cook, can draw, paint, play the violin, decorate, plan holidays, do DIY). But I am quite useless on transport and feel ashamed of it!

Oh my, OP, I am exactly the same as you with driving. You explain it so beautifully; that's exactly how it is. I have abandoned my car on a side road before now as there was a diversion on the route I normally drove.
I hardly ever get behind the wheel now that my children are much older. Even going round the block makes me shake. I left one job because the fear of driving home messed up the entire day. I only work on bus routes now and am much happier.

Cook peas on the hob

Play the piano. I have just started lessons so it won't be forever that I can't do it. It seems like a lovely effortless hobby but is actually quite a challenge.

Make an omelette. It ends up as scrambled eggs every single time.

Apply winged eyeliner. My eyes would look immense.

Play the guitar have tried loads of times
Drive a car never been allowed to due to medical reasons
Be with a nice partner instead of bullies who make me cry like present one
Lose my weight not for want of trying it goes on stays on
Not have complex mental health issues due to treatment of other people
Learn to crochet again not for want of trying

Pans with vented lids - gamechanger.

Nearly everything that is mentioned here. Gave up on driving and hate myself for not having the confidence to go back to it.
Have pale skin that hates the sun.
can’t knit or crochet.

Peas are not too bad to cook , but I wished I was better at cooking. Prefer plain foods.

Get on a plane unmedicated without dissolving into a crying, hyperventilating heap.

Eat when I am stressed or tired.

Like you, I don't like driving on untested routes, but I don't suffer from it as much as you do. With that level of reaction I would seriously consider not driving or just sticking to the routes that you know. What's public transport like round you? Could you even move to a town or city with great transport links? Driving is expensive and increasingly stressful.

Wear dresses too. They all look awful on me. I can get away with jeans , mostly because I love wearing them and I don’t care what they look like as long as they are clean and I can wear a long top over them. I like winter clothes.

be happy

Drive.

Sleep.

Do any form of DIY.

Decide on a hair style and colour and stick to it for more than 18 months.

Keep that 'freshly laundered' smell on my clothes.

Knit.

I can’t do my hair either ! I’ve tried straightening it with patchy results and hair dye grows out quicker now I’m older.

Walk

I have an IBD and would just love for once to eat what I want to eat. But I can’t. And I will never be able to again. I have an incredibly restricted diet.

Bummer, isn’t?

Mine is be able to enjoy something without ruining it for myself with anxiety. Case in point - my cousin got married in Croatia recently and it was a lovely trip but I was consumed with worry it really took the edge off. Stupid things.

• What if I feel unwell and can’t get off the island (there was only one crossing back to the mainland)
• What if I really need a wee in the ceremony?
• What if I get an anxious tummy? (I was a bridesmaid)
• What if I get too hot and feel faint (I’m also pregnant)
• What if I don’t sleep well the night before and I’m tired

On and on and on. I’m always like it. I always bloody do the thing anyway and I usually have a nice time so why do I have to use so much brain space on worrying about being unwell or needing the loo?

Put my face in water (pool/sea)

Wear tops with fluttery or puff sleeves without looking ridiculous

Since the menopause, my anxiety has increased a huge amount. I can sympathize with my fellow worriers. I also tend to catastrophe everything. I try not to, but it’s hard isn’t it. I guess I’ve always been a worrier though , you can’t always change yourself.