Working with anxiety

[bgold21]

Hi Jandre - I really like what you wrote in that last paragraph.

I am having some real breakthroughs with mindfulness even though I'm on medication - it has allowed me to get to a healing point. I have been anxious the past few weeks and been sticking to 10 minutes of meditation a day. I notice my thoughts patterns, and even worrying about worrying - i don't try to stop it as much as you say, it's more noticing that it is part of my thinking process. I often catch myself in the day now and just noticing the thought automatically my mind returns back to the task at hand. My mind has these thoughts lots of times a day especially when anxious - what if i feel it at gym, what if i'm not myself tomorrow, what if i need different medication - All these generalized anxiety thoughts as that is what I have ... I am noticing that I am not as fused with these thoughts and noticing them a lot better before getting caught up.

Hopefully with years of practice I will keep getting better.

[jdandre]

bgold21, thanks for the comment. I'm glad anything I wrote might be helpful to you or anyone else (and james123, thanks for the kind words too!)

It sounds like you are making progress, and consistency is key. So keep up your daily practice.

I'll just add, make sure you don't judge yourself for the anxiety. Having compassion for yourself is key to continued progress. Something that might be helpful in this regard is dropping the "I" - meaning, don't look at it as "I have anxiety." Instead, look at it as "there is anxiety."

I wrote a short piece on this change in perspective - you can read it here.

Hopefully with years of practice I will keep getting better.

No doubt, but don't put your happiness off into the future and make it dependent on attaining some special definition (or vision) of "getting better." Keep practicing, keep progressing, and stay grounded in the present moment.

Best wishes on your continued journey!

[quirky_friend]

I had a laugh of recognition at the "worry about worry" theme.
My recent bout has sensitized me to worrying about lots of things.
I know the medication I'm on is helping, but I need to do the work of mindfulness to get sustained change.