Well I hope that someone can relate to this story, which I do see as a definite success, but boy was I put to the test!!

Yesterday was my birthday, and our family always gets together at the house of the birthday holder on their bday (why, I don't know, it seems a little backward... after all, I need to clean my house and prepare food/cake for my family on my birthday????? What's wrong with this picture?) Anyway, so I picked my kids up from school, picked my husband up from work, then set off home. Since I hadn't had time before yesterday to get the house in order (my perfectionism), I figured that we would just go home, pick up some take out, and then I could give the house a quick vacuum, prepare some snacks, and then be ready for our guests. Wrong! My husband (God bless him), surprised me by telling me on the way home from work that he arranged for his parents to come over early and look after the kids while he took me out for a birthday dinner (how sweet eh?). OK, so what sets in now??? Panic! My thoughts turn to ".... well, when am I going to vacuum my house, when will I be able to put out the snacks, when will I.....).
Well let me tell you.... I let it all go! We went out, had a wonderful dinner, came back home, a bunch of the family was already there, who some of them brought snacks for me, they didn't care that there was some dirt on the floor, and we had a fabulous evening! I have to say that I was pretty proud of being able to let go. So for me, the program is definitely working!
Cheers!

First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! My birthday was on the 5th. You are to be commended.

To be able to let go is a GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT. Can we keep in touch to to be a help to one another? I will check this tomorrow as I will be leaving out soon.

Once again CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Thank you for that wonderful reply, and thanks for the bday wish. Happy belated to you too - what a great month September is!

I think this forum is a fabulous way to keep in touch - just recently discovered it, and will keep checking in - so keep sending the messages!

Sounds like a pretty major success to me!! Congratulations!! I lean towards a perfectionist too.....major lean. LOL But with 4 kids I've had to learn to let alot go. Parties are a real test for me too though, because I always want everything in order just in case.....like if people end up going upstairs (which rarely happens). Most of the time everyone hangs out in the kitchen. I had a few successes this week too, and it feels great!! Keep applying the program. The part I find the hardest is going into something afraid and waiting for the anxiety to leave - which it always does. It's the dang anticipitory anxiety that is my struggle. Positive self-talk helps alot. The more situations I have success over, the sooner this anxiety will be a thing of the past. Mine has come on during menopause......

Sheila,
I too am a mother, of 3 though, they are all girls, 6, 4 & 1/2, and almost 3..... so you are right about needing to let things go. And this is how I am learning. With three little kids you can't be perfectionist, which is what lead me to the panic attacks, and now the slow realization that letting things go will save my life!!
You are so right about the positive self-talk, which sometimes I find myself in a rut, and really need to work on that talk!
I am laughing at your comments about the parties and everyone mostly hanging out in the kitchen.... you are so right... so why is it that I feel I need to have the master bathroom up on the 2nd floor spotless???? Who is going in there???? And if for some reason someone should... who cares?!?!? I need to keep telling myself these things.
Anticipatory anxiety is a huge one for me too - can't wait to get to the session.
Thanks for your comments. No matter how crummy you might feel at a particular time, sharing with understanding people is very therapeutic!
Have a wonderful day!
God Bless!!

Hello I'm glad there is a place in this web site that has some possitive achievments shown! I'll keep looking for more happy stories Thanks for sharring