Monday 27 July 2015

Thank you - I did it!

I can't possibly thank all of you enough for the incredible amount of support I received on my last post. You may have noticed I haven't been here - I've simply been 'hunkering down' and dealing with one thing at a time. But last Monday - the event that had sparked off such anxiety - took place. 

And I was there!

My gorgeous eldest daughter graduated from King's College in London and I actually made the train journey there and back to attend the ceremony. I knew that if I hadn't gone the guilt would have been almost unbearable, and perhaps it was this that actually spurred me into taking some action. 

So - how did I do it?

I had hypnotherapy.

A colleague of my husband had recommended a very well known hypnotherapist who had helped her quit a thirty year smoking habit. And he lived locally. 

Worth a try? 

I remember saying on my very first session that I would be amazed if it actually worked! But he immediately made me feel as though I wasn't alone, and had complete faith in the fact that my issue was reversible. Through various relaxation and visualisation exercises he handed me the 'tools' to deal with my phobia. Instead of that dreadful feeling of 'fight or flight' I was able to utilise these to minimise it. This handed me back control - and with this confidence - which I was able to summon as needed. There were a couple of times during the day where I did need them - and they worked. My husband didn't even realise I was feeling anxious! Now I know that I can do this I know that I can do it again! It's a bit like setting out on a long bike ride without a puncture repair kit - wouldn't you feel better knowing that you had one just in case?!

There was no magic wand. Every night I squirrelled myself away and practised my visualisation. I can't tell you how much I would recommend this - whether you have a particular anxiety or not it was wonderfully relaxing and, like anything, became easier with practice. 

I still have worries about staying away overnight - that is my next 'challenge' if you like - but now I know that I have achieved something I had previously thought impossible, I am willing to accept it can happen. 

So - my advice to you? Please never feel that your fear is 'silly'. No matter what it is that makes you anxious it is very real to you. Speak to others. The amount of support and advice that you gave me here showed that people do understand, and that there are so many different ways of tackling an issue.

I  apologise that I have not managed to get around to replying to all of your comments but I had no idea how this story would end. As it is it hasn't ended. In fact it's begun a whole new chapter. And it looks brighter than it has done for a very long time!



Thank you!

Jane
xxx


31 comments :

  1. Well done! So pleased you made it and what a lovely photo :)

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  2. Yay!! You did it! Congratulations to both of you - your graduation photo is much more polished than mine - I just don't know how to get that perfectly presented look. Looking forward to hearing more about the allotment soon! Judy.

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  3. That's brilliant!! Well done.

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  4. How wonderful that hypnotherapy worked and allowed you to travel to your daughter's graduation.

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  5. Congratulations to you and to your daughter!! You have both done incredibly well and how great that you could both celebrate your achievements together!!! I am so very pleased for you and very proud of you too!!! I am glad that you let us know, as you have been on my mind of late, I have been watching your videos of the allotment as and when and thinking of you, but I didn't comment because I am not sure how to comment on the videos. I think that this is the most fantastic thing that I have heard all day! Way to go Jane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xxxx

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  6. Well done Jane - a big step achieved and well done to your daughter too. So glad you were able to go
    Caz xx

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  7. Blooming, BLOOMING, brilliant! :) xxx

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  8. Brilliant! Well done you. And well done to your daughter too!

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  9. Congratulations Jane! On all fronts, well done and cheers to new beginnings!

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  10. How amazing for you to be in that photo - it's quite incredible what power the mind can have over us, and how we can use that same power to conquer our fears. I'm so pleased that you made it to the graduation and I know that you will be able to stay overnight somewhere in the future. There's no rush, but you know now that if you put your mind to it (quite literally!) then you can do anything xx

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  11. This is such a lovely post, Jane. On many levels. Congratulations to your beautiful, talented daughter on her graduation. How pleased she much have been to have you be part of that unique day in your lives.

    Congratulations to you on finding this very effective way to be part of that day...and many more in the future. I expect that you posting this experience will also be a great help to other folks, too.

    xo

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  12. Congratulations and well done to you all. So glad you made it to your daughter's big day.

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  13. Congratulations and well done to you all. So glad you made it to your daughter's big day.

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  14. So pleased you made it it your daughter's graduation I bet she was so proud of you and delighted to have you there. Well done on tackling the anxiety, I know plenty of people who are unable to take any action at all, I hope things continue to get brighter and brighter :)

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  15. That is absolutely amazing. Congratulations and what a lovely day you were able to have.

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  16. Wonderful! Well done you, Jane. There'll be no stopping you now! :o)

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  17. I'm so glad that worked well for you. You must be very proud of yourself. Congratulations to your daughter!

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  18. well done you! I have wondered about hypnotherapy. So glad you went. X

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  19. Well done for all of you!!!!! I am so pleased the hypnotherapy helped, I am a full believer in it. And I am so pleased you were able to attend that gorgeous girls graduation. Well done by all of you and you have a beautiful family.
    Meredith

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  20. Yay you are on your way now, excellent news I have been worried by your silence!
    so glad to have you back safe and well....
    Ash x aka Ldj xx

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  21. Hypnotherapy works! My needle phobic diabetic husband can tell you that!
    I'm glad you got there. Now you've got the power there'll be no stopping you.

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  22. Hey! Jane that is brilliant news.You will be able to do allsorts of things now. How are your onions? mine have white rot....Grrr! Jo x

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  23. So glad the hypnotherapy worked and you made it for your lovely daughter. She is so like you! well done! xx

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  24. I missed this somehow. Rather belatedly, a hearty 'well done you' from me too. And many congratulations to your daughter.

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  25. Congratulations to both you and your daughter, and thank you for sharing your story. You are so brave!

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  26. Congratulations to you, new follower here. I have panic disorder so I truly understand. I have fought for many days of freedom of panice which i have now.. I still havent accomplished all my goals but I know that i will. I had a specialist who helped me as well just learning what cause this in my life etc. i dont get them as often or as strong like before its o e day at at time one small goal to reach the bigger steps. Some days are harder than others but never give up. And prayer is a powerful thing. With love Janice

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  27. I seem to have stumbled on your blog just as you have achieved something marvellous in your life, so though I don't know you, pleas allow me to add my warmest wishes to the chorus of general congratulation going on! Anxiety of any kind is really crippling, I have some experience of this with a family member, and it can be quite overwhelming. It is so good to hear that hypnotherapy helped you. You obviously put in the work too, taking the guidance etc. Lovely graduation photograph too. X

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  28. All pictures are beautiful and all perfectly photographed

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  29. Thanks for posting useful links in your article regarding military. Keep it up.

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