hi everyone,
thanks so much for the input! i do see a therapist but unfortunately i don't think he gets it. i am moving to another state soon so i'm just treading water with the T.
i had an excellent therapist for 11+ years in Pa. he was awesome. so since he knew how much i loved the arts and books he suggested i go to barnes and noble regularly. said i'd probably meet some interesting people there and also i might find it a safe place to start going out to. this is when the story gets better....well i did what he told me and when he asked how it was going i said, "well, ok". thank goodness he pressed further and asked just what did i do there? i said, "well i go in and pick out some books, purchase them and go home to read them." duuuuhhh. sometimes i'm thick. he said, "no, i meant for you to sit down and stay there a while!" i hope this gives y'all a chuckle cause i couldn't believe i hadn't gotten the "message"!! i still get up the nerve now and then to go to barnes and noble where i live now cause i am comfortable there. it's just getting out my own front door that is difficult.
someone mentioned about having a pet to walk and i did do that 7 years ago. so that does help too. i don't feel anxious when i walk him and he has brought me so much joy.
now i'm planning a trip to be with my son and family, siblings in another state. well i'm alredy hyperventilating about the trip and i'm not leaving til next week AND this is something i'm looking forward to!! just wish i could beam myself down there so my nerves wouldn't be so rattled. can't drive and take the anti-anxiety meds so will hopefully get over this recent bout and just get in the car and drive away.
anyway, thanks so much for your input cause it gives me motivation to "just do it".