After over a year of struggling to get the train on my own, I travelled to see my family this weekend — and for the first time in a long while, I didn’t feel overwhelmed by anxiety or panic. It was a calm, fun, and genuinely relaxing few days, with multiple outings to places that usually trigger fear for me - like supermarkets and busy spaces. For so long, I’ve found myself caught in loops of anxiety and DPDR — convinced something was seriously wrong. But recently, I’ve listened to Peter’s advice, accepting those feelings when they arise, rather than fighting them. I’ve been gently encouraging myself to carry on as normally as possible, even when I don’t feel “right.” Some small but consistent changes have made a real difference: - I’ve been doing yoga and meditation every morning — I started with just five minutes and slowly built up. - I’ve prioritised eating breakfast and taking breaks during the working day (this one is very much a work in progress 🙃) - I’ve made it a goal to leave the house every day, even if it’s just for a quick walk. - I’ve started paying attention to the link between my hormones and symptoms, added a few targeted supplements, and recently returned to ERP therapy. While I know these feelings will come and go, I finally feel better equipped to accept them and remind myself they do pass. There’s still a long way to go and plenty of unknowns — but this has been a glimmer of hope, and I wanted to share it with anyone who might need reminding that progress is possible, even in small steps. 💛
