Tell me I’ve got nothing to be worried about! (Anxious person, alone in new house while DH is away)

[anxietytty]

I have had anxiety my whole adult life. It’s a real curse.

DH and I have just moved somewhere that feels like a tiny bit of a mistake, as it feels like quite a vulnerable house. It backs onto open space, and it’s not double glazed (we’re going to change that part by the winter). But I have a dog and neighbours haven’t reported much crime.

Anyway, DH is away tonight and I know I won’t sleep well.

Please talk me down from my nerves. I probably won’t really sleep.

I have a dog! He’ll bark if anything happens, won’t be?

I hate this anxiety. Truly, it ruins my life.

I did exactly the same: moved in the night before partner went away. Just fields behind me.
Walked into the living room and screamed when I saw someone standing there.
There was no one there: it was me reflected in the bay window.
Your dog will bark if anyone is there. Shut the curtains, make yourself cosy, have a glass of something and enjoy your new house. 🙂

Make sure you have all the curtains closed and the doors locked while it's still light. Leave the lights on if that helps you. Shut the house down fairly early (dishwasher going etc) so that you only have to walk up the stairs at bedtime. Keep ddog with you (if they sleep upstairs? Make sure they've been for wee etc early.

None of this is necessary - you would be completely safe doing none of this - but I know how you feel and this is what helped me back in the day when I used to be anxious home alone.

Anxiety is really awful but you will be okay. Propranalol worked its magic on my partner and gave us our my life back, not sure if you have tried it but worth it if not

It's probably safer than most homes in built up areas 🤣
Yea the dog will bark if anyone is outside. Do you have curtains up? If so just close them all and put a few different lights on, you'll soon settle in

I’d probably make the sofa my bed, have my dog in the room with me, get myself some treats in and binge watch my favourite tv stuff. Nod off if I can and soon it will e morning. Dawn breaks at about 03.30 OP, the dark doesn’t last long.

I second shutting the curtains @anxietytty and putting some lamps and the TV on if you can. I often dog sit for my DS who lives very remotely I am not an anxious person and I never feel unsafe there. However I do like to get cosy in the house with lights, TV and curtains drawn. I also let the dog sleep on the bed with me (don’t tell DS!) It’s very comforting that he’s there. Would you be able to do that with your dog while your DH is away? I am on my own at the moment in my relatively new house it is strange at first.

Thank you everyone!! This is all helping! Good idea on the curtains and getting downstairs locked up and cleaned up early. I actually have no curtains downstairs yet but do upstairs!

This is good to know!! I didn’t realise it was so early!

And my own little doggie is with my DH😢 at the moment.

Oh, then forget about sleeping on the sofa! ☺️

Pmsl

Despite saying that neighbours haven’t reported much crime - I can’t believe it! On my street WhatsApp group, someone just said their car was broken into moments ago!! Oh god I’m never going to sleep now!