And I'm not sure how to change that.
I know how to change my social anxiety and I'm sure that will help, but this seems to be something else as well. I hadn't really thought about it before now, not sure why, maybe I wasn't ready for the truth?
If I get excited about something, I will talk myself out of going for it. There are dozens of reasons I give myself to rationalize not doing something. This is what I've been living like. And now look at my life - I'm not living it. I mean I'm not experiencing and pursuing things and that makes me feel stagnant, useless, and pointless.
But enough about what it has done to me.
I don't want to focus on the problem - the problem has had enough time to thrive. I want a solution.
Last night on Facebook, I saw the Hamilton Conservatory For The Arts was giving classes. I thought about taking the beginners photography class because I've lately discovered taking photos is kind of enjoyable - don't know why I never felt that way before, but anyway... I thought it would be a good thing for me to do to expand my horizons, learn some things, meet some peoples, etc. The place is really close to where I live and the money isn't a problem. Aside from the fact that I don't think I have the right kind of camera, there was nothing stopping me from going for it - except of course, myself.
I didn't know what happened in that moment between enthusiasm and deciding against it, but I believe it kinda went something like this:
Me: ooh exciting!
Myself: scary.
Me: It's close by!
Myself: Still far enough.
Me: I can learn a lot and have fun!
Myself: You're not a photographer, you have more important things to attend to before you go taking classes on subjects that won't even help your livelihood.
Me: This would be really good for my social anxiety exposure therapy.
Myself: That's too much to handle right now.
Me: I never do anything.
Myself: you can't handle it.
Me: okay, I guess you're right.
*Sigh*
I've been "disabled" for basically my entire 20's. My issues changed me and the way I live my life tremendously. But unfortunately, I allowed it to define and devour me. Being enveloped in health problems for long periods is a great way to neglect every other thing in life. I wasn't able to do so many things I wanted to do or used to be able to do so I guess somewhere along the way I stopped trying and reinforced the belief that I can't handle things, even though I consciously know/or at least think I can handle many things, I block myself from living the life I want to live.
Sure, I have some challenges that make it hard to do everything I'd like, but that doesn't mean I can't at least do some. I'm afraid of social situations but I can fight through that. I am way too easily overwhelmed... so I don't have to do everything all at once... I am in pain a lot of the time... so take it easy? So why doesn't "myself" understand that?
And I know I have a lot of fear about being really far out of my comfort zone, and imagining that discomfort can be enough to make me do nothing.
How can I change this pattern? (not a rhetorical question).
<3 M
I am all too familiar with the kind of internal dialogue that you illustrated above. It is very difficult to overcome, and I am still waiting for my negative thoughts to die down completely. I have found lately that behaving 'as if' is helping me a lot. But it's a constant process. I have faith in you.
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