To stave off anxiety.

There's a post I saw on Tumblr that's a drawing of a person picking up and hugging this round squishy creature, and the idea is picturing your anxiety as something outside yourself that you can calm down when it gets all freaked out. I've tried it this week, and it actually helps. (I also tell it "I gotchu, baby girl," but that's optional.)

I mean, to be clear, it doesn't make my anxiety go away, but it dials it down, which is enough.

I picture my anxious self as myself at around six years old.

Peace, Biscuit, and comfort to his humans.

Congrats, flea, and salute to your reflexes, Matt.

Sympathies on the illness, msbelle and mac, and oh yes, exec dysfunction, so familiar, so much fun.

Have a good trip anyway, Zen.

Yeah the loud drumming is actually mate-calling. "Bachelor, here! Reeeeeaally good bachelor here, all you hot woodpecker chicks, come check out *this* drumming action!"

Timelies all!

I'm sorry, Liese.

Congrats, flea.

I am so sorry about Seabiscuit, Liese.

Got my mammogram. That was a super quick appointment, and not too uncomfortable, as these things go. 4 stars.

Sometimes I imagine my anxieties as imps. At first it was seeing them dancing around taunting me

Then it evolved to giving them names and personalities. Like Squidge the "penny is going to die and is sick" anxiety in. Or the left turn one who likes blue and dragons. I've visualized either hugging them or sometimes bribing them. And talking. Like...penny is fine so what is this really about..stuff like that.

My therapist talks in terms of the internal parent, child and adult. And I talk to them and work out some understanding. I mean it's so just me but it's what helps, you know?

(I also tell it "I gotchu, baby girl," but that's optional.)

I love this imagery, including your talking to your anxiety.

My therapist talks in terms of the internal parent, child and adult. And I talk to them and work out some understanding.

Hmmm, I like this too.

I got to the gym today for the first time in almost a month. I didn't realize it had been that long. I walked a mile and did a 30 minute weight circuit. Driving over I had aspirations of walking 2 miles, but I'm ok with keeping it simple and working back up to that.

That's such a brilliant idea, treating your anxiety like a creature that's acting up, or acting out. I love this. I am going to name mine Mildred (for my maternal grandmother), who was the source of much anxiety for everyone in my family. (Bless her heart.)

Did delicious finally up and die for good? I still have recipes bookmarked there! (Not to mention reams of fic, but whatever.) And now I can't find this easy citrus pasta recipe that I wanted to make tomorrow. Frabbish.