Hi all I'm still pretty new here and trying
to figure out the forum. I'm on lesson 9 and
sometimes I feel like I'm doing pretty good and
then the feelings will come and I get so down on
myself. Is this common. Does anyone have any
suggestions, or tell me I'm not alone. I know I
shouldnt try to compair myself to others thats
part of our personality, but I wonder sometimes
if I should go back and redo something?

Hi Ripp
First, congratulations on working your way to lesson 9! What an accomplishment! Way to go!

You most definitely are not alone. I have good days and bad days - that's to be expected. (I completed the program once two years ago.) Have you noticed what you are thinking during the times you feel down on yourself? I'm guessing some thought replacement would help you feel better.

If your question is whether it's normal to have down times at this stage in the program, my answer is most definitely. I view the skills the program teaches as lifelong tools to help me live better and some days are still going to be tough. But now I have the tools to feel better sooner.

You are doing just fine! Make yourself an affirmation that you can use when you start comparing yourself to others or get down about where you are. (Comparing myself to others is something I do to keep me feeling down about myself.) How about telling yourself that your best is good enough, that you are making positive changes in your life one step at a time, that it's ok to take your time in healing.

If you're like most of us, you've struggled with this problem for awhile. Remember that true growth and change take time. I know it's hard to accept that - I've often prayed that my anxiety would be instantly healed, but then I miss out on learning how to truly overcome it so I can help others.

You've done nothing wrong. You are right where you are meant to be. Your best is good enough. You are doing fabulously!

Hope this helps. Way to go on your progress! I'm so proud of you!
Patti

Patti
Thanks the encouraging thoughts...I know I am doing
very well Its just east to get caught in the circular
thinking. It seems like lesson 9 has so many home-
work items, I can't do them all and take care of my
3 year old, work and my house. I am walking 3mi in the am and 3mi in the pm I love the exercise. The
one homework assignment I am doing is putting off
worry until 9pm and I will write about it then. This
is working pretty well for me first I don't remember
half of what I intended to and second I only write
the worry I can immediately write a solution for.
Thanks for the input.
Ripp

You're welcome, Ripp.
Wow, walking 6 miles a day, taking care of a 3 yr. old, working, running a house, AND working on the program! I think it's remarkable you are even on lesson 9!

I empathize with how easy it is to get caught in circular thinking. I still do, but I like to think I get out of it quicker now.

Congrats, too, on practicing the worry exercise! I like that one too. I rarely remember what I was worrying about by the end of the day. Plus, I really liked what you said about writing down the worries that you can find a solution to. Great one!

I think you are making fantastic progress, especially with all of your responsibilities. That's great!