Well, for weeks and days I have not looked forward to Remembrance Day. I am a Veteran so getting out for the services and remembrance celebrations was of the utmost importance. I had been putting myself through a lot of negative self talk, a lot of brutal catasrophizing, a lot of black and white thinking, and general worry. Namely, being surrounded by thousands of people and what would everyone think of me. Also what would I say when and if I ran into former friends and fellow Service members.

Well I did it. My sense of loyalty wond out over over the anxiety and I forced myself to go. There were over 10,000 people at the indoor arena for the service and hundreds at the Legion I ended up at afterwards - standing room only. Too be in such a crowd would normally have been excrutiating and caused a panic attack.

But the friend I was with stood by the entire time and was very supportive recognizing when I had my moments and 'screened' those people who approached me. In the end it was a success. Exhausting, but I made it through the day and even managed to enjoy myself at times

Well, the success of the first lead to courage for the second.

Though really quite anxious I went to a large artisan Christmas market. Weeks a go I couldn't have gone. But I had proven to myself I could do it so off I went. I made sure to have someone (my step mom) with me to cling to the entire time.

I never would have forgiven myself for not going.

[MacEvan]

Congratulations on overcoming your fears and I hope you feel satisfied as a result.

[Alfredo Pérez]

congratulations its good to know there is a lot of people out there with courage and enthusiasm

I applaud you and thanks

[Allerson1105]

Originally Posted by rcat

Well, for weeks and days I have not looked forward to Remembrance Day. I am a Veteran so getting out for the services and remembrance celebrations was of the utmost importance. I had been putting myself through a lot of negative self talk, a lot of brutal catasrophizing, a lot of black and white thinking, and general worry. Namely, being surrounded by thousands of people and what would everyone think of me. Also what would I say when and if I ran into former friends and fellow Service members.

Well I did it. My sense of loyalty wond out over over the anxiety and I forced myself to go. There were over 10,000 people at the indoor arena for the service and hundreds at the Legion I ended up at afterwards - standing room only. Too be in such a crowd would normally have been excrutiating and caused a panic attack.

But the friend I was with stood by the entire time and was very supportive recognizing when I had my moments and 'screened' those people who approached me. In the end it was a success. Exhausting, but I made it through the day and even managed to enjoy myself at times

Good for you! Small steps will soon equal big accomplishments

[SufferingHumanBeing]

Fantastic! Breaking things up into smaller steps helps me a lot. Progress!

[Chocopiano27]

Congratulations for you! I've also just experience this today.

I came to my old high school and met some people who back then, kinda bullied me in a way people just didn't seem to realise. But it made a big scar for me. There's an election of 2 people to become the leader for an event, with a troubled heart I choose the A group rather than B (which all my bullies and former coach choose, the coach also didn't like me for being too shy and unsure), but my heart also told me that's the best choice for me and I stick with it.

The coach didn't like my choice, my friends (slash bullies) also made fun of me. I felt pressured there yet I stand by my choice, and I wouldn't let anyone interfering with what i think is right.

At the end of the day, I wasn't really the happiest person there, I actually felt down for a bit. but I was quite satisfied with myself for sticking up to my opinion. No matter who, and what i was fighting for, it's a huge step for me and I'm proud of it.