Petrified doesn’t seem to express fully what I am feeling. This is my first post. When I saw the post about new collaborator’s part of my brain said “Why not?” The other part screamed “DON’T DO IT!” So I sent an email and here I am.
I have major depressive disorder, ADD, social & general anxiety, some OCD, and paranoia. Some of it is genetics. Some of it is from my life thus far. I would like to say that it doesn’t matter how I got my mental health issues. But that would be a lie. Lying is not my forte. Genetics are hard to blame. People however, they can totally be blamed for some of it.
Fear and worry often consume me. Even while I write this I can feel the fear and panic rising. I keep going back and deleting things I’ve written. Worried that I will be to all over the place because my ADD meds are wearing off. What if my writing isn’t good enough? What if no one reads it? What if no one cares? There are so many “what if” thoughts. My brain keeps sending up a stop sign telling me not to do this. I want to though. So I’m trying.
Two weeks ago, during therapy, I finally said something that I never really said and since then I keep thinking about it. I live in fear. I fear that my current relationship isn’t real, that she is just pretending. I can’t shake the thought that people who say they are my friends are just saying it because they feel sorry for me. I’m afraid to even try making new friends because I worry that they too will be lying to me. I get scared that I am talking to much or not talking enough. I over analyze conversations I had with people. I hold conversations in my mind before I do it out loud in hopes that I won’t sound weird when I finally do talk.
There are other fears, but mainly they revolve around people. All those things list above are because of someone hurting me. My husband was one person when I married him and then the switch flipped. I didn’t see the manipulation or hear the verbal abuse. When I was in middle school my best friend told me she was only being my friend because she felt sorry for me! Who the hell does that?
My therapist says that given my history with people the fear is understandable. He also said I will most likely live with this type of fear my whole life. As long as I have genuine people in my life it will get a little better. BUT… I will always be fearful of the switch in those people flipping.
Since I have no control over that fear, I’m going to take control over other fears. Starting here. I’m going to overanalyze everything I write and second guess myself every step of the way, but I’m going to hit submit.
I definitely had a lot of fear when I first emailed J.E.S. to join as a collaborator, but I could not be happier that I did! So congratulations on those first steps and welcome to the family! I definitely understand that fear of people, I strongly have it to. I cannot wait to continue to read your posts!!
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Thank you for this.. it’s overwhelming how relatable it is, and how we have to try and learn to deal with this fear.
One part of me knows I’m overreacting, other part keeps questioning every possible thing happening and people around, in general.
Just wow. Thank you! It’s all I can say
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Congratulations on your first post! I think you did an excellent job. It can be hard to put yourself out there for everyone to see but it might help someone else who is going through something similar. That is my hope for my own blog. Thanks for sharing. Hope to see more from you in the future!
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So true. I live in alot of fear, it’s hard to know what to do sometimes. Keep on going 🙂
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Thank you for your post. I can say I understand. I would say there is nothing to fear here. I hope you find some comfort in posting.
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Great blog!
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I can definitely relate
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Love This. Thanks for Sharing and hitting the “submit” button
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Explore yourself…Hope the comfort flows on SUBMIT
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You’re on a really exciting new adventure! Instead of being scared of judgement try to see us as the friends that can most relate to you. We are all here to support and frankly your words will probably help a lot of people.
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I have the same worry as I just started posting a few days ago. It’s a great feeling to just let all out in writing and share it to the world. Some people will relate and like whatever you have to share. Thank you for your post!
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Well, you faced your fear in posting and I have to tell you, in just reading this one post, You are authentic and strong and that fear is not you… it’s just around you. And each time you take a step away from it, you become you! Wishing you tons of blessings!
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Well written!
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