What are you looking forward to?

As part of my continued battle with anxiety and depression, I’m focusing on the positives (however infinitesimally small) that I can latch onto to get me through the frequent moments when I plummet into self-absorption throughout a normal day. Quite often these moments occur when I’m feeling trapped in a situation - out shopping, being with people I haven’t chosen to be with, attending a meeting I don’t really want to go to, etc. these are the times when my anxieties and panic can kick in.

So, I try and find a moment to think about something positive that I can look forward to that will be my reward for getting through the next 30 minutes, hour, two hours or whatever time-dependent situation I’m stuck in.

I’m finding if I can think of a positive thing to look forward to, e.g. reading the next chapter in my book, listening to a song that I know will lift me, watching a film or TV program I like, then this will stop my mind from becoming consumed in the fear of whatever panic is in danger of overwhelming me.

This has been working quite well. I’m finding that the positive I pick doesn’t have to be a big thing, I just need to keep it in the back of my mind, as an “anchor” in my storm.

What are the sorts of things you would pick to look forward to?

Awesome idea. Many times I look forward to more bigger/long term things or bigger types of things that I am grateful for. At times that’s actually challenging.
Think it’s time to maybe just look forward to smaller things and be grateful for them. Like reading that book chapter and things like you mentioned. Sorry I didn’t actually answer your question more in depth but I will once I rethink those things.

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Good idea. I do something similar when I'm trying to motivate myself to do something I don't particularly like, such as cleaning, or on days when I really don't want to go into work, or to my volunteer activities.

For me the positive thing could be things like knitting for a while, watching funny cat videos, scrolling facebook, having nice cup of tea, listening to a favourite musician or having a small snack