Day 2 Without Anxiety

The Opticians

Bonjour and Hello Inquisitive Readers, Welcome and Bienvenue to my Second Day Without Anxiety

What's the Challenge?

To go to the opticians and have an eye test.

Why the Anxiety?

Dangers walking to and from town, Vulnerability during the appointment, Embarrassment during the examination and choosing glasses, insecurities that somethings wrong with me and that I'm not 'good enough'.

Anxiety Before? 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕

This may seem like an activity that belongs in the humdrum of everyday life to some. However going to the opticians involves a lot more than simply an eye test. First I have to get ready to leave, then I have to actually leave my house, walk into the city center and then talk to strangers and have a medical exam where they will tell me if there is something wrong with me, and eventually walk all the way back home. (I'm panicking just writing this!) This may seem like a normal daily routine for some of you, however, for me, there are scary aspects and danger with every one of these steps. My mind constantly flips to worse case scenario, and I'm worried about all the aspects I cannot control ( even the weather, It could be the sunniest day and I'm worried it'll be a snowstorm or torrential rain when I go outside, Irrational I know!).  I feel so nauseous, I have a headache, I want to lie on my bed and cry, please don't make me go! Oh, I need to stop being a boob, breathe, and take each task one step at a time!! Breathe.

Anxiety During? 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕

I'm late! (I'm always late, simply and purely because I don't want to go anywhere and put myself in any type of danger.) I am late and I have to get to the opticians in 5 minutes, I'm just over 10 minutes away. This honestly makes me feel like a failure! After a quick phone call with the loveliest assistant, my appointment is moved a little later. Knowing I now had the time to make my appointment, the walk there was rather pleasant, the weather was beautiful and I didn't pass many people or have to awkwardly stop for the dreaded 'small talk'. I popped into TKMaxx as I had time to spare before the opticians (and quite frankly I didn't want to sit in a waiting room with lots of strangers). The optician and her assistant were very welcoming and friendly, as soon as I explained my situation (the discomfort was written all over my face, especially as my phone battery had just died, I felt very alone and rather vulnerable) they took their time to talk me through everything they were doing and made sure I felt ok. The optician also gave me tips and exercises on how to relax and ease my painful headaches. I felt very valued as a person and a customer, (shout out to Specsavers #notanadd) even when I could tell I was annoying the shop assistant when I couldn't decide which pair of glasses to buy and I couldn't get a second opinion from friends and family (again reminding me my phone battery had died and I was alone). The assistant was so calm and great with advice, I honestly had one of the best shopping experiences of my life. Thank you to the women who served me, (I'm sorry I can't remember your names) you honestly made my anxiety go down from a 7 to a 5! It's truly amazing how just keeping calming, listening to someone and giving a little advice can make the biggest difference.

Anxiety After? 🔴🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕

I'm not blind woohoo! Although that was never in question, not surprisingly, it was something I was worried about! Most of the irrational fears and darker thoughts have parted ways like clouds after a storm. The sense of relief is indescribable; my headaches are curable, I have some shiny new glasses, I didn't have a meltdown or panic attack. (*sigh of releif*)
Everyone in the opticians was soo friendly, but I still felt like a major burden on all of them at times and I seem to still get mixed feelings of guilt and embarrassment from a simple activity.
There was no danger walking to and from the opticians and frankly It was so beautiful as I get to walk along a river with different shrubbery, ducks, and swans, it's very picturesque and calming.
I now know I can walk into town, and I'll be safe, I can go to the opticians and the staff are lovely and friendly, I don't feel a lot of anxiety going to collect my glasses.

Update?

I have just collected my glasses, I couldn't remember what they looked like but am so pleased with them. Anxiety-wise I would say it was between a 5 and a 3 for the whole trip. Leaving the house and getting ready, were not problems, the highest stage of anxiety was probably the walk to and from the city center ('you never know what's around the corner'). The staff were once again very friendly, I felt rather relaxed as soon as I walked in the door and was only worried about whether I would like the glasses I had chosen. I did and do love them. I'm so proud of myself for this. My silly eye headaches are all gone and I know feel a lot less anxious to go run an errand in the city center.

Thanks for following me on my Journey to conquer anxiety, and reading about my challenges. If you have any suggestions for my next challenge, please let me know, I'm open to ideas! I would love to hear about any challenges you may have done, or stories of overcoming anxiety, either get in touch or send a link to your blog or article.

Thanks again
xo

Enjoy Day 2? Have You Read Day 1

P.S. Hi guys, just thought I'd add a side note and let you know for one of my future challenges I am going to climb the O2 arena in London (I'm petrified of heights). I'm doing this to not only conquer my fears and anxiety but I'm helping to fundraise for POST PALS, a volunteer run charity that is hoping to send severely and terminally ill children away for the weekend with their families. Please Click on the links (in blue) if you would like to DONATE or FIND OUT MORE about this wonderful charity and project. (I 'm paying to do the Climb myself so any donations you make will go straight towards helping to make some beautiful family memories for the children who live in hospitals). You can also Donate by texting 'PALS56 £1' to 70070 to donate £1, (the amount can be adjusted eg 'PALS 56 £10' will donate £10.) Thank You, soo soo much xo


Struggling with Mental Illness?
Helpful Links:
....Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
    Infoline: 03000 123 3393
....NHS: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth/Pages/Mentalhealthhome.aspx
    Call: 111 for urgent needs
....Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you
     Helpline: 116 123 (UK & ROI)