Started the day at the DMV/DVLA, which was already a win. While waiting, I felt a panic attack coming—mine start as intrusive thoughts and stomach tension. I let myself feel it. The sense of doom and wanting to flee crept in, but I reminded myself: let it happen. It’s painful, but I can sit with it. I’d say I was 60% accepting and 40% resisting, which was a big step. The 40% came from habit/instinct and really wanting to get my license renewed. The wave came and went—never a full panic attack, but anxiety and post-panic sensations lingered. Then I had to drive my husband 30 miles/45km in traffic, heat, and smokey wildfire air and it was around 2pm--and for some reason I usually feel anxiety stronger in the afternoons. I had high anxiety, jello legs, mild derealization, frequent peeing, and stomach upset. But I allowed the sensations and told my husband I might panic. The trip was stressful, but no panic attacks. In fact, by the time I got home, my anxiety had dropped significantly.
