Shamelessly looking for some positive reinforcement. :0)

[sunnyskies]

After seven long, tedious months of hiding out, not working, not seeing friends, and basically sleeping the majority of the time, all due to emetophobia, I feel I'm close to the light at the end of the tunnel. The past few days have been good. I've been anxious, but still haven't been obsessing/thinking about the potential of v* nearly as much as I was, and have been able to enjoy whatever I was doing without the fear ruining it. Even almost reaching the point where I just didn't care and felt like, "Eh. If it happens, it happens. And it probably won't. So, whatever."
And that kind of thought being a very new one to me! That for once didn't involve freaking out and being so scared.

Now I really need to get back to work and find a job. I know of a few places that I'm 99% sure will hire me. I'm ready to move on and live some kind of life again. I did it before, and I know I can again. But the evil monster of doubt is creeping up on me and making it hard to submit applications, haha.

I know I just have to breathe, deal with it, and just do it... but it's tough. Sigh. DOWN WITH EMET!

[lauren37]

kick emet in the ass! u will do great! those new feels of "eh whatever" are great! i believe u can conquer this fear if u have ur heart and mind set on it

[TheSweetThinker]

If it makes you feel better, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you at the moment...I haven't left my house properly in about two months, and I start college again next week, yet I'm still too afraid to drive or leave home (and my school is way on the other side of town).

Keep those positive yet indifferent thoughts up! It'll probably be best to just get in the car on your way to submit an application without giving emet a second thought....that's what I'm going to do, at least. Ignore emet, give it the cold shoulder, and live out the day. Fear cannot take what you do not give it.

[KTB]

Go for it! Every day that you decide something or do something or think something positive is a step towards VICTORY of controlling your emet and living a happy and fulfilling life!

[Mumof2]

Brilliant post! Sunnyskies 1-0 Emet. Your doing really well, it's so hard to pluck up the courage sometimes but it's well worth it. Your inspiring us all!

[claire43]

Good for you! I was in a very similar situation last year. Hardly ever left my house except once a week to do grocery shopping, lost touch with friends and felt consumed with feeling n* and worrying I was going to v*. Then out of the blue I was offered a job, I hadnt applied for one but I had attended a job fair in my local town and hired on the spot! I didnt have anytime to worry too much until a few days later when all the familiar doubts came flooding back and I almost backed out. Its wasnt easy, and for the first few weeks I worried Id feel too ill and would miss work and be thought of as unreliable. I did take 2 or 3 days off sick during the first couple of months but as my confidence grew I enjoyed the new person Id become. I say go for it - jump in at the deep end and take one day at a time.

[sunnyskies]

Thank you so much everyone! I'm going to hand in the applications tomorrow! Scary, but I know I can do it. Even if it's difficult, I have to try! And I'm going to go shopping with one of my friends. I haven't been shopping in so long! I was too scared of malls. *rolls eyes* Gah. I'm so ready to get over all of this.

It really is a day-to-day thing, isn't it? Sometimes it feels so outlandish to try to not worry or be anxious about what's ahead, because that's what we become so accustomed to. But it is possible! I appreciate the encouragement so much. Emetophobia is going down!! =D