It helps me too. One of the members consoled me not to feel too bad if I don't get an immediate reply, since some people have devices that can only read, but not send messages, if that helps...
I have been so embarrassed about this whole thing and how I've been feeling, but I realize I need to talk about it and figure out what I can do to make better. And who better to talk to than people who are struggling and going through the same types of things. And if i can talk to someone else and it helps them through THEIR day... Even better! We all need support.
I admire your courage for posting so soon. It took me forever to post after I registered. Hope you hang in there.
Hi Ashley,
I guess I could reframe by saying what Arthur Ashe used to say: I'm doing the best I can with what I know, and when I know more, I'll do better.
The distortion could be magnifying;discounting the postive.
Davit,
I suppose I can live within my means, and forget about caregiving. Maybe I wish I was appreciated, but the reality is that I may be "...looking for love in all the wrong places..." in this case.
Wish I would remember to do my core belief work, since in many ways I'm competent
Very glad to hear you will be reading and posting every day! This will be so helpful to you. I can't wait until you start to see results - and you will start to see results!
In regards to your overwhelming thoughts you might want to first check out the auxillary session on Worry. There are a lot of neat worry stopping techniques in there that you might find helpful. It is challenging to control these thoughts but with practice they can be controlled.
I think that will help. I feel I just need some guidance with all of this going on. I get so overwhelmed with my thoughts that I feel like I can't do anything. Or say I am doing the dishes... I will think... Oh, I need to do laundry and I should run the sweeper, and water the plants, then it's just a snowball effect. My mind constantly just goes.
I am going to start from the beginning with the chapters and do a page a day so I can really focus. And I'm also going to try to write in the forums once a day, as well. I think it helps to talk it out, especially with people who understand. I have a wonderful support group as far as family and friends, but they haven't been through this and don't really understand what I'm going through.
The homework is the toughest and most important part of the program. If you don't have a printer you could always just take the headings from the forms and jot down notes on paper or record them on a word processor on your computer.
Try to break the program and tracking down to smaller chunks if you feel overwhelmed. For example, make a goal to read one page a day and use one tracking form a day. If you feel like doing more one day then do so, if not stick with the one page a day. Plan out rewards for yourself too. For example, if you read the one page you then can watch your favourite TV show or talk with a friend on the phone (anything you would enjoy). It's even a good idea to plan bigger rewards for reaching bigger goals, like completing an entire session for example. Rewards help to reinforce new behaviours
Try not to get overwhelmed by the entire program, just take it one day, one page at a time. Eventually you will get there. Just commit to yourself to push yourself a little everyday. You deserve to give yourself that gift.
We are right here beside you if you have any trouble.
