Charlie Hoehn’s post came with an open invitation to reblog it, and so I am. Some of what he’s shared sounded familiar.
I have not allowed myself to “play” to have fun and just enjoy life. I am often so locked up inside that I don’t even accomplish the work I should. It is an awful trap to hold yourself back from having fun, because “you should be working.” However, when you’re not even getting the work done, because you are burnt out, then that produces guilt, AND IT IS A VICIOUS CYCLE!
I hope you will take the time to read his post. It has a lot to say about anxiety and the life crushing predicament it can become. I have suffered with agoraphobia for some time. Recently, I have made some strides in healing, and all without drugs. Having read Charlie’s post, I now think that perhaps I need to give myself permission for more “play” in my life, to do things because they are fun, and not just because “I have to.”
How about you? Do you remember how to let go and just play from time to time? 😉
Have a blessed weekend my friends!
UPDATE: As of July 2013, this article is the #1 search result on Google for “how to cure anxiety.” In this post, you will learn about the key breakthrough I had that freed me from my mental prison. More than anything else, this change in how I viewed the world gave me my life back. It’s helped tens of thousands of readers, and I hope it can help you as well.
If you’re interested in reading my short memoir, which includes my weekly schedule and every technique that helped cure my anxiety, click here.
Now… on with the post!
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For a long time, I thought I was going crazy. I’d convinced myself that something horribly wrong was about to happen. I thought I would be stabbed, shot, or arrested every time I left my apartment. I was sure that there was an impending disaster that would melt the…
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Life on the Farmlet 
Very interesting post. I think I’ve survived without serious depression because I always have something I’m looking forward to doing – nothing expensive or earth-shattering – just pleasant.
Lillian
I understand this, Lillian. At the moment, the work on our new home and prospect of our move are keeping me going and getting me outside! Thank you!
Hello Lynda, a lot of people have this sort of problems.. I can just tell you that we can easily enjoy every little bit of our lives after a near death experience. That’s what happened to me and during 7 long years I had to control my cancer and I know what is anxiety. So use your problems as a good therapy and give you the right to play with life. Good luck Lynda and thank you sharing this interesting post. Lovely week end to you.
Thank you, Chantal! I didn’t know you were a cancer survivor. How wonderful you have had seven more years and counting!
A blessed week to you too, Chantal.
I have learned to let go, but I suspect if I were still living where others ‘judged’ my uninhibited life more closely, I would be more guarded!
Lisa, we are so complex. Each of us ticks along to a different song in life, and some of us never miss a beat.
I have ideas about how I got where I am today, but no defined moment that I can point to. I am finding my Phoenix moment, and look forward to regaining flight.
My Mantra?
Work Hard. Play just as Hard. Rest Soundly..
Keep each to itself.
Repeat.
{and I do think a basic healthy diet helps to balance all three!}
And when those moments of ill thoughts come creeping in….
…50 jumping -jacks.
It amazing how well my mind responds to my energized body.
I eat well, though I sometimes do not sleep. I know what you mean about keeping active and energized. It does help you to rest soundly at night when you have worked hard that day. In the past few years it was breaking inertia and depression that were the hardest for me. Again, the new place, and the travel to work there, are making headway in my healing process. I am getting out more and enjoying it. Thank you, Joan!
You are fantastic to have beaten that condition(or beating AT it) and started your wee farm, good for you, very proud to be your blog friend! I had no idea what you were battling, it shows great strength of purpose. And now I am off to read this piece, have a lovely day.. c
It is a work in progress. 🙂 Being able to get out the door and into the day was difficult. However, being able to get into the car and drive down the highway was a MAJOR accomplishment. I can now drive the 160 mile round trip alone and get back home without the rise in blood pressure and debilitating tension headache. (Although I can’t afford to do it often.) 😀 Working on the new Farmlet is my ‘play.’
Celi, what you do and accomplish on the Farmy are an inspiration to me. Thank you.
Life IS a work in progress, sometimes i think we forge ahead in spite of our weaknesses, carrying them in our pockets, telling them to hush for a bit while we get on with the important stuff. But anyway.. are you going to get a donkey?.. c
Celi, yes, we do!
And, yes, a mini. They are so adorable and from what I am reading quite intelligent. However, first I need to get a fence! We have none. The deep little creek ravines on two sides would keep a cow in, but I am certain that goats would simply see it as a challenge! 😉
ah yes, goats are a challenge, this is why i have not branched out to goats yet.. I try to introduce my challenges slowly! .. c
Yes, slowly is best, and I think you have done a marvelous job too! I’ve got animals with feathers under control, and now I look forward to learning the care of beasts with hooves. But not too many!
Thanks for the link, Lynda.
I enjoyed reading his story.
In some ways I felt the same. My life revolved around ill health, financial worries and how to keep my job (when I was too ill to work), but when I quit work, I was able to find something I was passionate about. I found the sheer joy in living again. Taking pleasure in simple tasks and communing with Nature. Walking (or exercise) gets the blood moving and oxygen into the brain. Finding a hobby (Photography in my case) which is both creative and uplifting was my secret road to better health – mental & physical.
I stopped worrying about the future (as much as I could) and now wake up each morning with no definite plans until I’ve checked the weather forecast. Sure it does help to have qualified for a Govt Disability Pension, so the financial pressure is a little less.
I think about ….what can I do today….anything….I can do almost anything I want. My glass is half full (instead of half empty). Sure, I still have debilitating health problems, but my priorities have changed.
Don’t think about what you can’t do. Think about what you CAN do. It’s a subtle and important brain shift. Of course I am lucky in having no partner or children, so have no family responsibilities.
It’s a hard thing (to change your mindset), but once you’ve done it (like the reblog article author), you wonder why you couldn’t do it before.
Victoria, it is hard but I am chipping away at it a little bit every day. I can tell that your photography is what you love. In the time I have known you your skill has really grown! Nothing grows that is not tended.
I do think Charlie is right about not having fun being detrimental to our mental health. It’s so easy for me to get serious and too much in my head (NOT a problem that my husband has). I have to be careful to keep play in my life. I do much better with it.
Nancy
Nancy, yes! My track for too long has been, “Coulda, shoulda, woulda, didna.” Each time I walk out that door I feel a little bit stronger, and I manage to stay out a little bit longer. There is so much I want to accomplish up on the mountain and the only way to get it done is to get in the car and go! I hate that I can’t go as often as I would like, but that simply takes to much gas.
A lot of us can benefit from giving ourselves time to do fun things. Thanks for sharing.
Patty, it is so true! We as a society have pretty much moved indoors. We don’t get out enough and enjoy the day. Gone are the days when we worked hard outside tending our garden, raising our food, and then slept soundly at the end of the day. In those times we looked forward to our day of rest, and to getting together with neighbors and friends for fellowship and entertainment. I think Charlie Hoehn’s point was well made, that nowadays, it is work, work, work, seven days a week, and for most of us none of it is physical! Do you recall the old saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy” ? Well, it’s true for Jane, as well. I realize that my circumstance falls into another category all together, but the effect of no play is just as detrimental. 😉
Here’s something even better – coming to the point where the line between work and play at least fades, even if it doesn’t completely dissolve. I enjoy my work so much that I never get up thinking, “OMG – two days until the weekend!” On the other hand, I put a lot of effort into such enjoyments as researching, travel and my blog.
Of course I’m not excited about the prospect of trying to work through a week of hundred degree temperatures. And certainly there’s a lot of “fun” I miss because of lack of funds or time. But of all the lessons I’ve learned, this one ranks near the top: I’m going to do what I enjoy, regardless of what others think. I’d far rather be taking a walk or a road trip than sitting in a movie theater or a bar. Just me!
Linda, I think a lot of us feel this way about our jobs. The tricky part is being able to find the job that feeds our needs. You seem to have found a balance in life that few have, and you certainly do enjoy your road trips! I think in our hearts we all want this! 😀
This was an interesting post. I tend to agree that play and having fun is vital to happiness and good health. I never have, and probably won’t, tap into the social aspect of play (with others or groups) because I’m such a loner and introvert. I do indulge in “me” time and it does me a world of good.
I think you are improving all of the time with outings, Lynda. I appreciated so much, all that you did to get out and show me around while I was there. I know maybe some of it may have been difficult, but you forged forth and managed it! Keep plugging away!
For me, getting out is always easier with a friend, Lori. You made it very easy. Going it alone is hard, but it too is getting easier!
It’s great to hear that you are beginning to give yourself permission to have fun. Sometimes the getting things done and having fun can coincide (bet they have done a bit at the new farmlet) but it can be even better when fun is all you’re achieving 😉
AGREE! I have been having fun, Annie, thank you! We are still waiting for the underside of the house to dry out (we can’t accomplish much more till it does). So we will be working on the yard and garden tomorrow, and that, I love to do! We have had quite a bit of rain and it is my hope the soil will be softened and not to soggy.