Register

I Listened To My Symptoms

Thanksgiving Day

By: tmkgls
Written on November 26th, 2010

I was having a wonderful time at my boyfriend's daugter-in-law's sister's house for thanksgiving. The guys watched football - of course - and us girls looked through circulars for black friday - not that i go but it was fun doing it with them and watching them set up their plans. Everything was going terrific until one of the sisters showed up with her husband. they are having real bad marital problems and i could FEEL the tension. i tried to maintain but got agitatied and anxious and soon found myself rocking back and forth. that is a major symptom that i'm on my way to a sprial downward. so instead of letting it get worse or taking an extra xanax i went to my boyfriend, Gib, and suggested it was time to go. We had been there for 6 hours which was amazing for me to get through so good so it was okay to go. anyway - i listened to my symptoms and didn't fall back on the meds and feel pretty proud of myself for being able to stay 6 hours and leaving the situation rather than letting it get me frantic. so all-in-all it was a great day. i utitlized one of my new healthy coping techniques by leaving. hooray!

By: tmkgls
Age: 46-50 , Female
205 people have read this story

Your Response

Please respond with authenticity, support, and respect
By clicking "Post", you confirm that you agree to the Terms of Service of Experience Project, Inc.
2 responses
  • HeartofHearts
    HeartofHearts

    tmkgls,

    i'm so inspired by you that you found a way to have a good outcome for the tension that you felt. it can be so hard to be around that-- and plus, you used a new coping skill and even ended up enjoying yourself for part of the day! Way to go!!!!!

    --HH

    Nov 27, 2010
    2 likes
  • Christyna
    Christyna

    Good for you. And I'm glad your boyfriend is supportive and left when it was time for you to leave. My family did two Thanksgivings this year. One at my house just with my husband and two children, which was nice. We ate chili and talked about all the funny things we could think of from when my kids were young and living home with me (as a single mom). My children and I endured much trauma and hardship when they were young so it was fun to have happy memories rule the day. This was on Thursday.



    Then on Friday, we had the big Thanksgiving with the turkey at my sister's house. Over 50 of us were there. Big family. I get overwhelmed being in a large crowd that long too even though it's my family. My husband and I decided before we arrived that we were going to leave at 6:30 so it wouldn't be too long of a day. I much prefer smaller parties and then can relax and talk with just a few people about our lives. The whole family together is just overwhelming for me and my son as well for that matter. He was having a hard day yesterday and was suicidal last night. Ugh! I understand his pain as he has bipolar disorder like his momma. Time to pull out the coping skills backpack!



    Glad you're making progress!

    Nov 27, 2010
    2 likes