This summer I want to work on stopping avoidance. While I do a lot of exposures and avoid things less than I used to, it's so easy to avoid scary things without even realizing it. Or to rationalize: next week is really busy/important/stressful, so I'll just avoid this one thing this one time. Repeat to eternity.
This weekend I wanted to avoid attending a big rummage sale at my mom's church. I feared my mom had a cold, and I feared bed bugs. But I did go, I looked at all the furniture, and I bought a bag full of stuff.
There are a lot of bigger things I've been avoiding as well, including several medical appointments, and that massage I bought back in the spring.
This is something I really should make a hierarchy for, because jumping to some of the higher things seems overwhelming.
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You are stronger than you think!
1 year ago
We do seem to be on similar paths at the moment, don't we? As my therapist says "you're very avoidant". That is what I have been working on mostly lately, and it seems to have helped. I had a "blip" a few days ago, but I suppose those are to be expected.
ReplyDeleteI definitely hear you on the avoidance thing. It is by far my most troublesome compulsion. I do the same thing too - "Oh, I have a lot going on this week, I don't want to deal with this, etc." The hierarchy is a great idea. Good job going to the church sale. I know that was hard for you.
ReplyDeleteSounds like some good goals to have. I practice avoidance, too--I have a feeling it's more than I realize.
ReplyDeleteI avoid things a lot!
ReplyDeleteDon't avoid the massage any longer. Even with all my contamination issues, a massage has always put me at peace. I make the first appointment of the day so I feel like the table has been cleaned and fresh linen is on there, but the spa I go to has the ability for me to take a shower right after if I need to. Most of the time I'm so relaxed afterwards that I just wait until I get home later. On the other hand I avoid a lot of other things, but a massage I won't!
ReplyDeleteOh, avoidance. Such a tricky little trap, isn't it? It something I am working on here, too.
ReplyDelete