Share your achievements, small or big!

[Beltane]

Another nice little topic to chat about 🙂

It's really important to those of us with mental issues to hold on to our achievements and successes, especially the ones over our illnesses. Each and every achievement, no matter how small you might think it is, is so important. We should celebrate and take pride in each achievement- because each one is a step towards recovery.

So in this topic I'd like us to share our successes. You can post as often as you like, every time you have an achievement or success you'd like to share (even if you think "but it wasn't that big a deal"). Yes it IS a big deal! Fighting an illness is hard work, so lets celebrate all our achievements!

When i first fought my anxiety, my very very first challenge was to drive to the local shops. And I achieved it, and boy did I celebrate. Might not sound like much to someone else, but to me it was like climbing Mount Everest while wearing shorts and thongs (i imagine). So you better believe I went home and danced around my house celebrating my success!

My most recent achievement I am celebrating is: I attended my first job interview in 3 years that i did NOT take any anti-anxiety medication whatsoever for. Every other interview in the last 3 years i've needed strong anti-anxiety medication. But after much therapy and hard work, i learned more and more coping skills. I was nervous about not taking the medication as I was so used to doing it, but not only did i get through the interview but i did it calmly and kept my anxiety well under control. I'm pretty proud of myself!

(Also I got the job- yay- but unfortunately i cant accept it due to other reasons. But I'm still celebrating being offered a job!!!)

So lets hear it! Whats a recent achievement, positive step or success you made? Take pride in it and celebrate it!!

[Evan_John]

Thank you for your response, Mrs. Dools.

Funnily enough, I, too, created a list yesterday. A short one with suggestions of what I could do to enjoy the day.
One thing in particular, the main focus of my list, was drawing the buskers in the city. Unfortunately, it was cold last night so not that many were out and I headed home early. The bonus was that I got to snuggle into bed with a book and a cup of lemon honey tea until eventually sleep called.
I have a 'go-to' for things I can do when I have a day free to myself... boy, is it handy!
The weekend is all yours to enjoy!!

[Doolhof]

Hi Evan John and Everyone,

By the time I finished on the computer, I forgot about making a list! Never mind, I forget lots of things. Ha. Ha.

My weekend did go well though. I managed to pull up loads of weeds, that was a huge achievement. I found my "lost" chook who probably wasn't lost at all, just hiding from me as she didn't want to return to the hen house!

I managed to make it to Church on time and joined some ladies for a coffee after instead of just scurrying away home after.

Another achievement was making a decision to join a walking group on Thursday mornings. I will be able to fit that in with a client I assist in the same town.

So lots of achievements for me! Yah!

[Doolhof]

I joined the walking group and had a lovely chat along the way while enjoying the beauty of nature around me.

Monday I am going to be enquiring about volunteering with "Riding for the Disabled." The last time I was close to a horse, it bit me so hopefully these horses will be a lot better mannered. Ha. Ha.

[james1]

Hope the horses are okay!

I managed to fall asleep last night. Not really my achievement rather my body's but I didn't drink my wine like I really wanted.

[Music_Freak]

Thanks James for telling me about this thread...I guess I should have explored the forum better, oh well.

My major achievement for this week is slowly getting through the planning/budgeting stage of putting up a carport. I ordered and paid for it yesterday and today, I had to make a call that I'd been anxious about for a few days (using the phone is a trigger for me) but I did it. It seems to all be going wrong right now, but I'm not dwelling on that part. It'll be alright, eventually.

[james1]

🙂 always good to share our success stories

You could post each time you get through the next stage!

[Evan_John]

Today I spoke in front of the primary school I teach at. Our year level had the assembly and my teaching partner is horrified of speaking in front of a crowd. I'm currently reading a book on anxiety and panic attacks. My heart is enjoying reading it and I'm growing in confidence that I can overcome my insecurities and fears. I used a strategy that it states is key to working with you fears, that being not trying to change/fight/deny your anxiety! It talks about how that just snowballs into 'feeling anxious about being anxious', and it encourages you just to welcome whatever feelings come up and feel them as best as you can until they subside. The mantra it recommends is 'my door is open to you, anxiety/fear/etc.'.
I felt that I handled the assembly well and simply felt my emotions. Step by step.

[Doolhof]

Hi James, the horses will be okay, I am not intending on biting them. Ha. Ha. When I made inquiries about the centre, the volunteer co-ordinator did say the horses go through a 6 week training course to see if they are suitable and they are all older horses.

From Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone

Just wanting to send you all some encouragement and enthusiasm for obtaining your goals and dreams one step at a time.

Congratulate yourselves on your achievements, learn from things that don't go well and consider how you can get to where you want to be.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

On Monday I notified the company I contract for and gave them my notice due to my back issues.

It was a huge achievement for me to call the company and announce this. It will be a huge achievement too to speak with all of my clients to tell them personally.

Usually I have a huge issue with expressing verbally how I am feeling or to put my point across. I have to confront those issues this month.