I stopped doing the program because I was feeling better, now I've had a setback. Should I start where I stopped at the lesson 4 or should I start over again ?

I was feeling better myself and started not doing the work, so I went back to the week I had ended on, but I've re-listened to the tapes again, especially week 3 cause that is the key. I say, just start someplace and get back to it (That's what I tell myself, anyway). My problem is, how do I not hate myself for screwing up? The addiction to this self-loathing is so strong. Help!!!
Is the self-hatred truly "thoughts, only thoughts?"


Jeanne

Hi, don't give up even if you have a setback. If you get stuck, just stay on that same lesson for a little longer -- taking little parts of it at a time. Some lessons I did took 2-3 weeks, and that's okay. The important thing is not to stop, or at least not for too long. These tapes will become more familiar the more you listen to them, and then things will begin to click in your mind. Believe me, I wanted to stop several times when things started to go bad, but just hang in there. The best advice I can give is be kind to yourself. You are doing something that is very difficult (i.e. basically changing your way of life), so it will take time, lots of time. Encourage yourself all the time with positive self-talk...that always seems to work for me. The breathing excercises help, too, I even do them in the subway...(I live in Tokyo right now, so I can only imagine what these people must think when they see me reading my little blue cards and doing my breathing!). I don't care, as long as it helps me relax -- that's the important thing.

Hang in there -- you'll be okay!