FlirtyandDirty said:
But I am so looking forward to going places with my grandchildren. I would say that that is beating SA. I also beat agoraphobia, but still struggle a bit with depression.
So soon you'll be telling us that you beat depression and aging too. That you are now growing younger not older. That you will live forever and never be sad or worried.
When I say accept it, I don't mean keep avoiding your life. We can accept that when we are going someplace or meeting someone that we feel anxiety. But acceptance doesn't mean we then avoid that place or person. Just the opposite, we make room for any feelings (or thoughts) that we might encounter along the way.
I've run into this debate before. People hear accept and think lay down and die. No way. I accept my feelings: anxiety, happiness, grief, elation, depression, etc. because I think they may be just biological. That is, a function of our human bodies that we don't have much or any control over.
ACT says we can't control our thoughts or emotions. Instead we control our arms, legs and mouth. We use our values to motivate and guide us. Avoidance is the enemy not anxiety or depression or happiness. Using mindfulness we can stay in the present moment and focus on what is going on around us.
Congrats on any progress you've made. I think we can learn to observe our thoughts and emotions without getting too caught up with them. Hard work and determination are good values.
Do I think I've beaten SA? No
Do I think I'm getting better? Yes, slowly but surely