Posts
You are stronger than you think!
1 year ago
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Scary Social Events Update
My goal for the year was to average one "scary social event" each week, that is a social event that didn't involve my family. I was doing quite well until early April, reaching event number 12 during week number 14 of the year. The start of my two month break coincided almost exactly with my aunt's latest hospital admission. I've been working to ramp up again. Last week was my book club. Tomorrow I'm scheduled to start a 3 or 4 week knitting class. I really don't want to go, but I know that it's mostly OCD-based. What if the teacher touches my knitting? What if my classmates are sick? Plus generic social anxiety. I feel the same way about EVERY new social activity. I'm pretty sure that if I get back on a once a week (or more) schedule, these won't feel as hard. Here's hoping.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It won't feel as difficult - if you stay the course. I'm learning that, but it is such a struggle when there is a strong part of you that wants to resist! Getting out helps me tremendously, and I have heard others echo this sentiment. Days spent in the house always, always, always result in major OCD power shifts - the kind that are not in my favor. Beat this monster!!! Fight it and win! (I love to crochet, so the knitting class sounds like a lot of fun!)
ReplyDeleteOne of my first scary social events was a book club! I love knitting, and it's cool that you are taking a class. Every fun thing I do in my life right now, I absolutely did not want to go to at first. Sometimes it was because the activity wasn't for me(like cake decorating!) but mostly due to my ocd and social anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI always remind myself that I will not be trapped. I can leave if I need to. Chances are you wont need to. It might help reduce some of the anticipatory anxiety. Knitting is great. It is worth going out. You need to live. Don't let the OCD box you in. Also remember, if the teacher touches your knitting it is ok. Even though it scares you, its just the OCD. People touch my knitting and nothing bad happens. It does not make me sick. YOu can do this. Yessss....take your own advice and stay the course.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts on this. I did go to the knitting class last night, but it was really small, and I didn't really like it. However, today I invited myself to the "knit at lunch" group at my work, so I'll get both good exposures and a social opportunity that way. I've been putting this off for months, but I actually think I'll enjoy it.
ReplyDelete