Hi all!
I am in week 14 and it has really hit home. I don't think I cope with stress very well. I feel like I have all the tools, but am just not putting them to use very well. I really have trouble when I have stressors that are external. In the last 3 weeks, I've had a number of stressors.

It seemed to start when my city called a mandatory evacuation because of Hurricane Rita. We didn't leave, but we did get ready. I was lucky- we got nothing. It was stressful trying to make a decision. Then I felt horrible for the people who did lose everything.

In the mean time, my office moved. It was planned pre Rita. Everything was packed and then we had to unpack essentials because the move got post poned because of the hurricane. Then we had to pack it again. We moved in this week. I unpacked the last box yesterday.

I also was in a dreadful meeting. I knew my body was tired and I should have just left, but instead I let things get to me.

My body didn't like the stress and I've had increased body symptoms, not felt good mentally, been sore from moving furniture around my office, lost the weight I had gained, my GI tract is fussing, I can't tell what is body symptoms and what is food intolerance and I am not really talking to anyone because my perception is that everyone is tired of hearing me obsess about my health and every little symptom I'm having. I have even stayed out of the chat room! So, I finally decided to be brave enough to vent. I realize I need the support and reminders that I'm normal and human.

Thanks.

Listen, first off you should be so proud of yourself. You are on lesson fourteen, you now know so many skills that you did not know before. It's natural to worry when a hurricane is coming. After seeing what happend in New Orleans I would be stressed as well. Listen it is ok to stress but it is how you control it that matters. For example, when you unpacked everything and got back on track, you should of told yourself hey look I did this so well and Im back on track and thank god for giving me the life I have, so many other's suffer through so much more, so many other people lost so much more. BE PROUD OF YOURSELF, and these symptoms you get I get them too, but tell yourself its ok its just a little pain, I will take medicine, go home and relax, I will be ok, and I promise you will be ok? the best thing u can do is talk in a positive outlook. Dont worry we are all human and we all stress but make sure you stress too much where it affects your life. Have a good day!

Dear Rica,
you've acomplished so much! Everyone here loves you! I personally enjoy your posts! I too am on lesson 14 and it has hit home! I have slowed down my day about 80% or so! I don't pay attention to the fake priorities I had before but pay attention to my adjusted priorities! And I am so much less stressed because of it!

---> dont you hate those negative thinkers, i have one floating around in here now.