DAY 6 Without Anxiety

Girls Night Out

What's the Challenge Today?

Going on a Night out with some of my girls.

Why the Anxiety?

There are so many dangers when going on a night out, and you have to remember a few months ago, (fine, maybe 6 months ago) I was the woman too petrified to leave her front door. Tonight, I will not be going out in the city where I live and therefore do not have an easy route home if I feel panicky. The Last time I went out I was sick, not because I had had too much to drink but because I had had a panic attack in the ladies and had to go home very very early. I'm really worried I will panic and be ill again!! Drunk people! I cannot remember the last time I was around people that I didn't choose to be around, let alone strangers who were drunk. Large crowds of drunk rowdy people, What happens if I get lost? I feel I will have minimal control in this situation and will feel ridiculously vulnerable. I have to dress up a certain way to fit in, but look a certain way as to not draw any unwanted attention, This is exhausting, I want to cry, please can I just stay in, where it's warm and safe?

Anxiety Before? 🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕

I didn't have a problem getting to Justine's and was preoccupied on the train by trying to cover up the hair dye marks on my face and chatting to mates. I hadn't seen the girls in ages, a good catch up was the best distraction and mostly kept me from worrying until the time came when I had to get ready and try and get the ridiculous purple hair dye marks off my face and also my clothes (I did say that that dye had gone everywhere!!!).

Anxiety During? 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕

I'm so grateful for Justine and Lucy, having friends that support you and are there for you are the best. The girls kept making sure I was okay and when ordering drinks always remembered not get me anything alcoholic. The night out itself was great, a good laugh and such a chill night just catching up and dancing. We stayed in two places mainly, there was not a lot of walking and we got picked up after. I felt super safe with these two and even though I had moments of panic, with loud music, drunk and some slightly smelly people. The atmosphere and vibe as a whole was rather relaxed and a perfect re-introduction to a night out. Don't get me wrong I still had IBS cramps and had to visit the loo maybe one too many times, my head hurt and I never got too close to anyone else (eg strangers or drunk people), but I simply remembered to breathe and remove myself from an area if I started to feel very uncomfortable. 

Anxiety After? 🔴🔴⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕

I would happily go on a night out with these two lovely ladies again. If I'm honest a foot massage and sleep after all that dancing and whilst I may not have got a massage, sleep (even on an air mattress) was bliss. I was very tired the next morning but I didn't wake up hungover, feeling over self-conscious or nervous about anything. If anything I'm really proud of myself. Last night could have been very uncomfortable for me but I pulled through and stopped myself from panicking. I feel like I deserve a medal!

Update?

I recently went for drinks with old work colleagues and whilst I was unsure about going (mainly due to the fact I hadn't seen any of them in at least 2 years maybe 3? and wasn't sure if they actually liked me or if we'd have anything to talk about). I bit the bullet and went anyway, I wore a simple pair of heeled boots black skinny jeans and mustard crop Jumper and had such a nice time. It was very fun to catch up with everyone and again I stopped myself from having a panic and managed to stay out till the clubs closed. The anxiety for a night out has definitely gone down and whilst it isn't my favourite social activity I don't find as daunting or nauseous as before. 

Thanks for reading

xo

Enjoy Day 6? Have you read Day 5?

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 Health?

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)