I have had trouble being able to write my shoulds down. I get anxious about doing it. After watching my thoughts for about a week, I realize that I am afraid I will not be able to accomplish the goals I turn those I keep into.

I know that this is anticipatory anxiety but can't seem to let go of it.

Has anybody else experienced this? Any advice?

Hi Janet
Start writing your shoulds this way. I should like myself. I should love myself. I should allow myself to feel emotions that may cause me some uneasyness. I will be fine. I'll float through it and those feelings will pass. Don't forget about your shoulds or should I say expections of others and of yourself. I know from talking to you on chat that you are a intelligent person and have it together. Now starting thinking that way yourself and this problem you are experincing will go away.

I have had the same problem. But mine came more from obsessive thoughts centered around a central theme. Something that I can not directly change.

However I can begin to recognize and change the way I think and react to the situation.

To be honest at first it was scary and down right depressing. But then I realized that I have allowed this thing to over run my life.

The first step is recognizing the broken record that I have been living and playing in my head for all these years.
Then I have begun to replace the negative defeating thought patterns.

The problem that I am dealing with most people have told me get out. But its not that easy. Besides I don't want to simply abandon ship. The original problem is bad enough, however I have allowed this thing to consume my life and it has brought negative thoughts and low self esteem. Before I make changes I need time to heal from beating myself up all of these years.