Missed the turn/obsessed with worry

Hi everyone!

Here's what happened; it's not 'life shattering' and we've all been there however, with my lovely anxiety and panic attacks I am worrying obsessively and feel like a complete fool and embarrassed.

My brother and his wife invited me to my niece's birthday party - not many people would be there and I knew them all, so I said yes. Then we all proceeded to go to their new home as they just got the keys to. OK, I can do this, even driving sister in law to the house...yikes, don't like that but miraculously pulled it off and it was only a few miles from where they now live. OK, good that went well. Whew.

Now it was time to go home...but I left my camera at their apartment so thought I'd 'swing by and grab it and be on my way' UGH, not so fast. Well, I knew my brother was following me back to his apartment and IT happened. I was talking to my niece and nephew and missed the turn off from the freeway. I thought to myself, I got this, I'll just hop off then next exit and swing back. And....I got lost. It's late at night, kids should be in bed, it's hard for me to drive at night (I try to avoid like the plague)

My brother called me asking where I was cuz he was in his parking lot holding my camera waiting for me. I pulled over and called him as I missed the call and he chewed me out like I was a kid...."you worried me" "you should have called" "how could you have missed the turn off" "do you understand what I mean, you need to call me if something happens so I know you and the kids are OK" "It scared me" etc....

I break down crying like the 3 year old I am. I apologized way too much for not calling him (I should say I do not talk, text or anything while driving-not a good multi-tasker so my phone is always off and in my purse) Yeah, I know weird and a big boo-boo on my part.

So there I am, kids in backseat, crying my head off, embarrassed, very apologetic for not calling my brother, in the parking lot of Toys R Us. Ironic, right?

I feel bad for not just pulling over when I got lost and not calling him and now it's a new day and I am still obsessing about it ...even going into the conversations I had with the others at the party and how my brother must think I am such a fool, an irresponsible fool.

I get home and and just completely lost it. I have no idea why this is bothering me so much. I feel like everyone now probably thinks, "jeezz...what's wrong with her"

ugh...thanks anxiety.

:kickingmyself:

ouch, that sucks. Don't worry man, don't think much about the situation since it will give you more anxiety. Just brush it off, and move on. Hope it helps!

Try not to worry about it, its not a big thing to take a wrong turn, thousands of people do it every day. In many parts of the world it is unlawful to use a cell phone when driving so there is nothing wrong at all in keeping it switched off or not answering it, it is a safe thing to do.

Sounds like your brother got over anxious himself and over reacted. But maybe he should have realized when you became upset and backed down instead of making you feel even worse. Maybe he should even apologize to you for getting you that upset.

It happens. Ideally, freaking out will not help the situation, especially with kids in the back. Next time it happens, try to be as rational as you can (in the sense that you knew it would be a good idea to call your brother, or calmly tell the kids 'whoops, missed the turn').

Right now, accept what happened and move on