Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?

@pvctom2021 I am glad you can take your anxiety and shift it around. That's big progress, don't you agree? To me, that reminds me of how much power we do have within ourselves to make those changes, when we need to/want to, and are willing to put the work into it!
Ginger

@gingerw
Hi Ginger and thanks for your positive feedback. Yes I agree…maintaining gratitude is an important part of any type of trouble that may come , although I must admit it has to be enormously difficult for folks in NC and LA right now…I don’t know how they do it….but prayers and miracles can happen..🙏pvctom

Hello to all

Hope things are well and that things will go fine for everyone…I’m doing ok while my wife is wearing a knee brace .. she injured it somehow, but not sure how or what caused her knee discomfort…we may go get an X-ray at the local ER annex this afternoon…it’s never as crowded at the main hospital ER…. I will be going to the mall shortly.. it’s a routine now that I look forward to… I’ve been averaging 7500-8000 steps a day and my 990’s have served me well.. I am a retired Federal Civil Servant so my best wishes go out to those who have been put into such sudden anxieties and uncertainty.. I went through three RIFS and a pre-rif management reassignment before finally reaching a retirement window…these are wild and weird times all of us are living through…I am just wanting to post something here to stay in touch with all who come here and who have supported me …. have a safe and healthy weekend to all… pvctom 🙏

Hello all,
I have journaled all my life. It is a rewarding process and a great way to get to know yourself. I have formed a group tied into TheLegacyVault and am building that out. We each have a legacy and our words and life insights are a gift for those we eventually leave behind.
The process is very healing.
I have written some articles on the how-to's of journaling.
Idea! We could start by posting our thoughts daily here, even with one sentence of insight or wisdom for the day.
I'll start! Connection brings joy. (I'm glad I found this group)

I am looking forward to this as well.

Hello to all

I have been waking up my wife in the middle of the night from a horrible nightmare with a loud scream… the nightmare is vivid and horrible…my wife had to scream at me to wake me from this nightmare… then it happened again yesterday morning, although not nearly as intense…there must be some forum or help for seniors that are full of anxiety and worry... I say my short prayers to God to please help me…many times … if anyone is reading this post, if you could advise or direct me to some real relief in the way of internet 🛜 forums or connect groups or ZOOM meetings regarding the fear of aging and ongoing anxiety I would certainly be grateful….between my wife’s doctor appointments and mine I am left with walking the mall… which is still a wonderful gift that I still enjoy…and never take for granted.. and I am grateful for this Mayo Connect community … have a good day and a safe and healthy one…🙏pvctom

Hello, pvctom2021 (@pvctom2021)

I'll keep this brief, not because I don't respect the severity of your situation (I most certainly do!), but because I'd like you to at least receive a first reply. Anxiety of the sort you describe is formidable. I know, not because I myself suffer from severe bouts of anxiety, but my partner does. To date, she hasn't reported terrifying nightmare, but does complain of loss of sleep––hours of sleep–– almost nightly. She'll begin each new day feeling 'wasted,' already exhausted, still contending with the residue of the night's anxiety. (She admits that he inability to fall alsleep is because she's unable to shake her mind of her 'tasks": the previous day's tasks that she had left unfinished, and the dawning day's tasks that she'll soon be facing. I'll suggest she read something 'light' with her morning coffee; instead, she'll read the morning newspaper which is column-beside-column nothing but the most dreadful news. I tell you all this, not because I'm able to suggest a good support group, but because she and I are ooking for the same thing. I'm looking forward to the replies you get and, in the meantime, wish you speedy and full success in breaking the grip of anxiety.

Best wishes,
Ray (@ray666)

@ray666

Thanks ray666

For that frank and open reply …. I wish you and your partner all the best in finding what you are looking for in the same area that I am… If I find a forum or meeting group on Zoom or elsewhere I shall let you know… thanks again for your help in replying… anxiety is a real grabber of the mind…🙏💭💭

I had a lunchtime chat with my partner about what she says is her worsening anxiety. She says she was never anxious when she was younger. That's why she's finding her present day anxiety so alarming. Her biggest concern this morning is finding a sign at the base of a grand old tree a short ways from our house. The sign said the tree had been slated for cutting down. My partner admitted to being almost paralyzed with anxiety over the threatened loss of a favorite tree. (I was less anxious than angered.) I suggested to my parther that one way to lessen anxiety over a situation is to 'do something,' most anything, a phone call, and visit to a neighbor's to see if concern is shared. So the two of us starting making phone calls. Tomorrow someone from theforestry service is coming to talk to us about what might yet be done to spare the tree. I was happy to hear my partner say that the moment she began telephoning, her anxiety began to lessen. I think there's a lesson in all this: don't dwell, just 'do."

@pvctom2021 I don't claim to have a "magic cure" for your anxiety. In my experience, many of us seem to have different levels and sources of that anxiety, and how it affects us on a day-to-day basis.

What has often worked for me is write out a list of the causes of my unease. Take a good long hard look at that list. What can I do for some of those items, to lessen them or eliminate them? What proactive measure can be done? For example, I recently had a couple of medical procedures not experienced before. I was certainly anxious! Looking them up, reading about the procedure, what could be expected for the actual action. Applying it to my own health situation, determining what was critical for an uneventful time. Then advocating for myself when it came time, reminding myself and the technicians that while they do this everyday, it was my first time. And that I needed to be assured they were listening to what my thoughts were. Asking a lot of questions, thanking them for their attention. Was there still anxiety? Yes. But it was less due to dissecting the event, and taking some of that power away. I also journaled my thoughts and feelings, acknowledging what could happen, knowing that I would "deal with it", no matter what.

As we age, we might hear others' stories about what brought them anxiety. Remember, that is their story, their journey. How we respond is our journey.
Ginger