I started having anxiety and panic about 10 months after early retirement. I had completed my goal - getting fit, losing sixty pounds - then could not figure out what would come next. I sat on the sofa and thought about dying - would it be illness, alzheimers, heart attack? and saw the rest of my life as a downward slope to the end. I even disassociated one day. Quite frightening. My friends recommended lots of different self help books, but the one that helped the most was an old one by Dr. Claire Weekes. Learning how to stop my anxiety at first panic - face it, accept it, float and let time pass - before second panic revs up the what if, what if, what if thoughts - was tremendously helpful. Eckhart Tolle, as well. Great article, thank you!
Thank you for sharing that book and technique that helped you with your panic attacks and anxiety. My hope is that these will happen less and less for you, and that when they do, you have the skills to let them pass - as all things do. Thanks for being here with me.
Jeannie you are a total rockstar for making the time to write this amazing piece! In honour of IWD I salute you💕
I did not have 5 children with extensive needs during the lock down but I certainly remember how it felt trying to hold it together during the spin-cycle of parenting and living with very intense guys (my family) as a highly sensitive person.
It is THE hardest thing.
You are absolutely right that we must create our own pockets of peace and allow it to be enough for now. The tea, the shower, the walk, the writing…may it bolster you up until you can look back and realize you walked through the storm.
Thanks for this great essay!
You are exactly right that we must create our peace in
Thank you, Donna. I think the pandemic hit those of us who are highly sensitive pretty hard. I'm still trying to recover in this "new normal," post-pandemic.
"first love your sore heart" - yes! Go gentle... I hope you get the rest and care you need to get back on your feet. Good on you for recognizing and allowing yourself this time.
"I can’t wait for silence or perfect order or children who are calm and collected in order to become a peaceful person, in order to live more peacefully." Yes, well put, Jeannie! Too many years can go by in the waiting. What I hear you saying is that the key to being present, being peaceful, is in the now, no matter what now looks like.
I love your wisdom, honesty, and openness to share your most vulnerable moments. Mike and I still talk about how bad we felt for you having a baby during Covid restrictions PLUS all of the other already daily challenges you had to manage. Not only were you isolated in the hospital setting, but the outside support you desperately needed to function at home, was nonexistent. I will never tire of saying it, you truly are an inspiration and a shining example of faith.
I started having anxiety and panic about 10 months after early retirement. I had completed my goal - getting fit, losing sixty pounds - then could not figure out what would come next. I sat on the sofa and thought about dying - would it be illness, alzheimers, heart attack? and saw the rest of my life as a downward slope to the end. I even disassociated one day. Quite frightening. My friends recommended lots of different self help books, but the one that helped the most was an old one by Dr. Claire Weekes. Learning how to stop my anxiety at first panic - face it, accept it, float and let time pass - before second panic revs up the what if, what if, what if thoughts - was tremendously helpful. Eckhart Tolle, as well. Great article, thank you!
Thank you for sharing that book and technique that helped you with your panic attacks and anxiety. My hope is that these will happen less and less for you, and that when they do, you have the skills to let them pass - as all things do. Thanks for being here with me.
Jeannie you are a total rockstar for making the time to write this amazing piece! In honour of IWD I salute you💕
I did not have 5 children with extensive needs during the lock down but I certainly remember how it felt trying to hold it together during the spin-cycle of parenting and living with very intense guys (my family) as a highly sensitive person.
It is THE hardest thing.
You are absolutely right that we must create our own pockets of peace and allow it to be enough for now. The tea, the shower, the walk, the writing…may it bolster you up until you can look back and realize you walked through the storm.
Thanks for this great essay!
You are exactly right that we must create our peace in
Thank you, Donna. I think the pandemic hit those of us who are highly sensitive pretty hard. I'm still trying to recover in this "new normal," post-pandemic.
"first love your sore heart" - yes! Go gentle... I hope you get the rest and care you need to get back on your feet. Good on you for recognizing and allowing yourself this time.
Thank you so much, Julie!
"I can’t wait for silence or perfect order or children who are calm and collected in order to become a peaceful person, in order to live more peacefully." Yes, well put, Jeannie! Too many years can go by in the waiting. What I hear you saying is that the key to being present, being peaceful, is in the now, no matter what now looks like.
Thank you, Sarah! Yes, spot on: to learn to be fully immersed in this moment, here and now. That's what has brought me inner peace.
I love your wisdom, honesty, and openness to share your most vulnerable moments. Mike and I still talk about how bad we felt for you having a baby during Covid restrictions PLUS all of the other already daily challenges you had to manage. Not only were you isolated in the hospital setting, but the outside support you desperately needed to function at home, was nonexistent. I will never tire of saying it, you truly are an inspiration and a shining example of faith.
You are a dear friend. Thank you for being here with me, Joy. Sending you warm hugs. Hopefully I can give you a hug in person soon! Love you, friend.