Can you believe it? I’ve been blogging for 5 years. I guess the old saying about time moving faster as you age is true. I can remember writing my first blog post in 2008 like it was yesterday.
To be honest I have mixed emotions about this blog now. At first I wanted to create something remarkable. I wanted to create an important anti-anxiety resource. I ended up with something very different.
For years I wrote blog posts and produced podcasts hoping that Anxietyguru.net would grow and evolve and you know what? It didn’t. I tried recruiting people to write, changing the design, asking for feedback, writing different types of posts but, it didn’t seem to matter.
Don’t get me wrong. This blog has grown. I’ve gone from 200 daily visitors to about 3,000. That sounds good I guess, yet in the world of websites that’s tiny. Worst of all I don’t know why. I don’t know what I did wrong.
Part of me wants to believe that this has happened because anxiety is transient. People are only interested in seeking tips when they are in crisis or semi-crisis. Anxious people, it seems, are more into internet surfing. They collect small bits of information from a lot of different places and build whatever they need from those small parts.
Sadly, that makes it less likely that AG will ever grow into a strong community. It can’t be the only reason this blog hasn’t developed more, but it’s certainly a big part of it. And that sucks because I’m not quite sure what to do now. I have failed. I feel defeated in my efforts to create something remarkable. At least that’s how I feel.
It’s hard to accept that something you’ve worked on for so long is futile. It’s downright depressing really. I guess in the end there’s only so much one person can do. Unlike a lot of successful websites AG has no staff, no budget, no nothing. Reality check I guess.
All that said, I still enjoy answering emails, helping people when I can, and receiving a kind message or two. That has never changed. So although AG isn’t what I hoped it would be, it still brings me satisfaction to know that I’ve brought comfort to some of you over the years.
Thank you.
AG, I found you in desperation 3 yrs ago…. I can’t tell you how you have helped me, at first I thought here we go again in search of a cure that’s never there. But I found your podcasts and they changed my way of thinking!! I’ve spoke to endless professional about anxiety all coming up with different answers, or so they think?? But they hadn’t been through what I had, how did they really know my feelings?? But hearing your voice talking about anxiety and panic attacks knowing that you did understand was so comforting. So when I’m having an off day, the first thing I do is turn to AG for reassurance that I’m not going mad! I thankyou for everything you’ve done.
Wow, I’ve never thought I would hear something like “I failed” from you. I don’t know how exactly you wanted your web site to develop, to me it seems like it’s one of the best anxiety resources on the net. You say you feel defeated after 5 years of blogging, but why? I’m pretty sure that this very blogging has helped you understand your own anxiety more fully so you could overcome it eventually. Somehow, when we help other people, in a way, we are helping ourselves, at least that’s how I feel.
After I have read your last post, I had a mix of feelings and questions. Questions like: is this article an attempt to quit Anxiety Guru? Or is it just negativity starting to creep back into your life?
Irena, you pose a good question. No. I will not stop writing. That would be insanity! This post was a venting of frustration at not growing into a site that reaches more people. I’m certain that as it stands AG has helped hundreds (if not thousands) of people to get a better handle on their anxiety. That has always been my goal. In that regard, this site is successful. I recognize that.
My “Failure” is more to do with my notions – even dreams – of what I wanted AG to become. At this point I’m having to readjust expectations and in so doing I got dissapointed.
You are right about something though – Writing did help me gain new insight and even ultimate relief from anxiety. I’m certain of that.
Perhaps I should have written my post with more nuance but at the same time I didn’t want to write too much about it.
As far as negativity goes, I’d say no. That’s not the issue. I’m a perfectionist by nature and my own worst critic. I think that’s what you read more than anything.
Paul
Thanks Kate. That is awesome. And I use the word awesome in a literal sense. Every time I’ve heard someone like you, tell me something like that, I’ve always gotten a damn nice feeling inside.
And it isn’t the kind of feeling rooted in self-congratulations, but rather satisfaction in being able to reach out to someone in a way that matters. When I hear from you, and others like you, I never feel like a failure.
I hope you continue to enjoy the site.
Paul
I just recently discovered your podcasts and this site, and you’ve already motivated me to finally seek real help to stop anxiety from controlling my life. I turn to you first whenever I’m feeling anxious. Your podcasts, especially, help me feel calmer and all the more ready to start living again.
Paul. I have been readng your blog for over a year and it inspired me to create a blog of my own regarding anxiety, my experiences, and ways to overcome it. As other people have said, you are a wonderful source of inspiration and knowledge, and I certainly think you should see your website and 5 years work in a much more favourable light. Your voice is unique and a beacon to many sufferers out there. Please, keep going!
Stephen of ‘Outsmart Anxiety’.
Paul – I just recently started listening to your podcasts and reading your blog.. It has helped me in so many ways you will never know.. I have hope now that I can try and lead a normal life as possible and I won’t let anxiety run my life. I listen to your podcast everyday when I drive ( I also have driving anxiety like your brother) it has helped me so much. I just want you to know you haven’t failed and I will spread the word to other sufferers I know. Thank you thank you for helping me!!
Mandy k
From Nebraska
Thank you Mandy. I’m so glad I can come along on your drives!
Paul, I can’t tell you how much your blog and podcasts have helped me. Your podcasts are always with me- in the car, on planes, just when I’m walking around the city. They have helped me when I’ve been in really tough situations with anxiety and I can’t thank you enough. I know there are so many readers who feel the same way as I do and I hope you know that! Claire Weekes is your anxiety hero, but her stuff never hit home for me. But yours really did. I tried so many sites, books, etc, but somehow your perspective just clicked for me. Thank you, thank you, and please keep on blogging.
Paul,
Simply put, you did not fail, you created exactly what you wanted to create. You can not control outside influences. You can not control how many people visit the site, or how many people participate. Sit back, take a deep breath and look at the awesome website you created. Great job!!!
Just like anxiety comes and goes, people come and go too. Once the anxiety comes down people move on.
Paul, don’t be disapointed. You have reached so many. Not everyone comments. It doesn’t mean that they are not helped. I for one am greatful for all you did.
There are many anxiety ressources and I think yours is the most honnest. You don’t promiss an untimate cure, you offer realistic goals and hope. You are compassionate and give your time and effort without asking. I can’t tell you how many times ”You’re going to be ok” has helped me.
You are right tough; when I feel good, I don’t feel like I need to come here as often. I gues it’s a sign you are helping.
Keep at it. I recomanded you to all my anxious friends. Surprisingly, there is a lot of them. I simply didn’t know until I opened up.
When I had terrible insomnia a few months ago, the only thing that could get me to sleep was listening to your audio book in a loop. Not that you were boring me, but your voice and advice was reassuring enough to get me a few hours of peace. When I aoke a few chapters later, I knew I had gotten a little shut eye.
Don’t quit. You might have had higher expectations but you didn’t fail.
Far from it.
Sarah from the member site.
Paul,
Here is your problem….you quite possibly may be too good at what you do. Think about it this way as this is basically true for me and a lot of others that I know.
I have had two major bouts of anxiety in my life. I felt like I was drowning and that this impending sense of doom would NEVER subside. I reached out to anything and everything that could ground me. During my second bout, I found your website and books. They played a major part in getting me back on track. HOWEVER, once I was back to my “normal” self…I no longer wanted to think about the site, resources, or anything that had to do with my anxiety. I was so scared of being thrown back down the “hole” that I avoided anything and everything that had to do with anxiety.
Why? Not because it didn’t help but because of the old sense of dread / pain that I had when I visited your site in the first place. I didn’t want to think about the time when the doom was overwhelming because THAT may cause me to relapse. You even commented on this when you said that a lot of anxiety is simply the fear of feeling anxious again. The very act of visiting the site that helped me, made me fear that it could happen again.
So I will say this. I think that your expectations were wrong but that doesn’t mean you failed. Maybe you don’t know what you did wrong because you did everything right. The very fact that you don’t have repeated visitors may mean that you are actually very successful in helping them not need you anymore. Which, if I am not mistaken, is the ultimate goal in the first place.
Please dont feel like that – your site and advice is the best i have come across the most normal, the most sensible – i frequently check to help me feel ok. You do really make a difference to our lives. I didnt know about the podcast but will have a nosey know. I say here’s to another 5 years of.your amazing blogs xx
I have a similar situation going on at my blog, panicfreeme.com. But the really cool thing that happened along the way, is I have gotten better. There are some faithful readers and a small sense of community. I put a lot less time and energy into it now than i did back in ’09- ’10. I use my own blog posts as a resource for myself and to help others. I stopped trying to market it awhile ago and just let that go. like you I am one person with no budget, no staff. Anyhoo, I wish you didn’t see it as a failure, it seems you help lots of people š
Hi Paul!
I agree with the others. You definitely should not view this as a failure. Please keep on going with the anxiety guru. I also found you, as Kate said, in desperation. I thought sure I was either going insane or about to have a heart attack, and reading some of your advice and listening to your podcasts helped SO much!
If I may offer some suggestions about the website:
For some reason, when I get to the home page it looks like the page is an advertisement for something, like you’re trying to ultimately sell something. I can’t explain why, that’s just my initial reaction. My eye is immediately drawn to the boxes on the right: the book and then the AG membership pass. Even though the book is free, there’s just something about those two boxes that makes me think the site is not free. I can’t explain it any better. Sorry!
The only other suggestion I have is maybe have a bulletin board forum where people can talk to each other and to you. You could have topics such as symptoms, suggestions, questions, etc.
I don’t know if this helps, but please stay the course. We all love what you’re doing here!
Thank you!
Kim
This makes me sad that you’re so discouraged. Especially knowing that you have helped me through some very tough times. I think part of the reason why this is such a difficult kind of blog to run is because people do look for help like yours when they’re desperate for help. Once anxious people feel less anxious they’re likely to stop returning to the site as much which is bad for the site if you’re looking at it as though its a business but great in other ways because you’ve helped people get to the point where they don’t need to seek you out in desperation. Does that make sense?
I also think that there is still a lot of shame and hiding that goes along with anxiety disorders, it’s changing, but it’s not there yet – with a topic like that, word of mouth/social media etc is less likely to happen. You’re helping change that stigma as well. It’s a slow process, but a worth while one.
I think you have helped many, many more people than you realize. And i do hope you keep this blog going.
As your dear friend Claire Weekes would say “Don’t despair, Take heart!”
m.
Paul,
I know you were just venting, but I can’t begin to tell you how much your writings and podcasts have helped me cope with my anxiety and panic. I feel like I know you because I have sat many nights (in the wee hours) in the throes of a panic attack listening to you calmly tell me I was going to be okay.
You are a blessing to many and you can be proud of your years devoted to blogging and your website. I kept my anxiety hidden for many years, but you gave me the courage to speak about it and in doing so I found others with similar issues. I always give them your website name. Thank you, thank you for choosing to do what you do.
I am also sad. The blog that you provide along with the valuable information has helped me to help my blind daughter with her OCD and severe anxiety. I may not always respond but I am always happy to get your emails. Your triumph over your own anxiety, and valuable information has helped more people than you will ever realize. Please don’t discontinue your quest. I for one depend on your incite to help my daughter when meds did nothing to help. I am a mother to two children in their 30’s who both suffer from anxiety. With out your emails I would be lost
I agree with everything you said in this comment… I am not completely out of the crisis yet, but I can say how much of a life-saver it was for me to find this blog/information. In my opinion, it’s the best out there. Perhaps AG’s expectations were wrong, or perhaps it will just take longer. They say overnight success takes about 15 years š
Anyhow, I can see how this blog could and probably has save many lives… Quite literally – that IS success!
i think your site is a great site some people are just thankful for thee advice they recieved when they get better.
I think anything you do in life that you are passionate about is never a failure. You have helped a lot of people im sure of it… even if you have only helped one person that should be enough. You know what a living hell anxiety can bring and to help one person should bring you comfort. I know you have helped me a lot to bring me peace. My God lead you and bless you and show you the way
Paul,
People suffering with an anxiety disorder need three basic things to improve the state they are in. (1) Education (What is happening to me, and has it happened to others), (2) Reassurance (Can I overcome this, because someone else has), and (3) Re-engagement (Getting on with life).
You absolutely provide two of these needs with room to spare! I knew over a year ago that your site was a valuable resource for me. But helping people get to Re-engagement means they move on. This does not mean they delete your site no more than they would burn or throw away a Dr. Claire Weeks, or Dr. David Burns book. If what you thought and taught worked, people would gradually get to Re-engagement and, . . .they won’t need to visit you as much. But I can absolutely guarantee they will keep you as a lasting resource to use for themselves as well as for others.
As for going viral with your message(s), I suppose almost every blogger deals with that. Maybe it’s techniques, maybe it’s ‘Pixie Dust’. I simply don;t know. But what I do know is that you are darn good at Educating and Reassuring the scared, confused and hurting! You’ve got that part of your dream (your message) in granite. I have no doubt the rest will appear for you as well.
I suffered with anxiety on and off for 10 years!!! I came across your podcast and blog and it was JUST what I needed!!! Someone to tell me that is is recoverable…you may get reminders of it every now and then just acknowledge it for what it is and nothing else!!! I love your show and when I hear of someone that is struggling your site is the first place I suggest they check out! Heads up Paul this reaches the ones it needs to and you are helping to change lives! God Bless you and yours!!! Thank You!!!!
Hi Paul,
First off I want to say that your deep understanding of anxiety has been huge in getting me to the next step of deciding to focus on solutions rather than symptoms. I have had anxiety my entire life, and still do but your podcasts and suggestions have helped me move forward further than years of therapy.
Secondly I want to say that I agree with Kim’s comments that the website does need some work to look more resource related than sales related. I had the same reaction to the site that she did and would be no better at explaining it than she did so I’ll leave it at that.
Lastly I agree that once I get some help, relief and tools, it is not a site I look at regularly for the fear of the anxiety being triggered again to the point of panic. It’s not something you want to think about when you’re having a healthy day, so I wouldn’t take not having constant use as a failure but rather the opposite. I am not someone who trolls the internet for solutions to anxiety, I typically try to manage it though myself, therapy and unfortunately friends and family but your site and advice have made me see just how many of my coping mechanisms are actually strengthening my anxiety. You are phenomenal at explaining the thoughts and feelings how they actually occur which believe me – is a gift. Maybe this site and the podcasts aren’t going to be your whole career, maybe you’re meant for private practice and doing this on the side, but please know your advice has been a turning point for me.
Thank you.
Hi Paul,
I have never commented before but have been reading your posts for 6 months now. I found your site when i was in dire need. Your site is the best i have found on anxiety. You have helped me so much. When I’m feeling anxious and afraid I find comfort and reassurance in your posts. I can not thank you enough!!
I think, like Chad has said, that your ‘failure’ is actually your success. That may be the reason why the site doesn’t have the strong sense of community you thought it would have. I too do not want to think about anything to do with anxiety when I am feeling ‘normal’ in case it triggers my anxiety.
When i read the title of this post i thought ‘what blog is he referring to?’, LOL. I was totally shocked you were referring to this site!
Paul, your blogging has not failed. Maybe you just need to readjust your definition of success.
This site is something to be proud of! Thank you.
Paul, I am a real fan of Anxiety Guru and look forward to your emails that always give me a boost in my lifetime of anxiety…..you make more sense than any other source I have used and believe me I have used many….you make things seem so achievable and I will continue to wait for your most helpful podcasts and letters…..Claudia
Hey Paul…… what do you mean you have failed? No Way buddy! I’m from Singapore and its half a world away and your podcast have helped me get through my issues with anxiety. You are known worldwide and you should think of yourself as a champ!
Think of yourself as a doctor. If a patient doesnāt come back, that means that you have succeeded in curing them. It would be great thing if they could complement you and share their views on how you have helped them and maybe that could help someone else (who reads it) in that manner. I have recommended friends to your web site and they too find it very helpful.
Don’t beat yourself up. You have done an amazing job to have helped others on a global scale. If I were to travel to the USA, Iād shake your hand in person.
Once again, I thank you so much and thumbs up for you!
Paul,
You have my support 100%. As with all things in life which I have encountered…some work better than others. Also expectations not being realised is part of life whether its marriage, kids, work, social interation or whatever…and I agree with you..it gets to us all sometimes. I personally have found your podcasts to be insightful, practical and as I have told you before you are like ” a friend in the room “. You know what Paul? You are human and we are all delicate and need reassurance. I and I’m sure many many others have benefited from your communication skills. I have recommended you to others who have later thanked me…I said …don’t thank me..thank Paul! Keep up the important work…
Neil from Belfast
I have sought you out often and appreciate all that you have done for me. Thank you Paul thank you.
Your podcasts have helped tremendously! Like others have said, if I’m not anxious I don’t visit, I don’t want to think about anxiety, phobias, panic attacks unless I have to. I want to focus on feeling “normal” whatever that is! I feel like I’m looking for it when I’m feeling better. Don’t think of yourself as a failure, you’ve helped so many! Thank you!
Hi Paul,
I don’t agree with you. Your blog is so helpful. It has a clear content and an important information. As psychologist I have high expectations too. But I exactly know that your blog is pretty good and sufficiently encouraging.
Best wishes. I look forward to further publications!
Oleg
You’ve been my lifesaver more than once. Isn’t that remarkable? I think it is. And I’m not the only one. Greetings from Croatia š
Hi Paul –
First, I think congratulations are in order – to keep a high quality blog afloat for 5 years is a real accomplishment. Most blogs don’t survive nearly that long. It’s a tribute to your dedication. I have to agree with the other folks on a couple of points. First, we anxiety sufferers don’t like to think about our anxiety when we’re feeling good.If I’m going through a good patch, it’s hard to remember sometimes how bad it can get. Second, most endeavors don’t scale the heights or plunge to the depths that we imagine they will.
You’re obviously helping a lot of people!
Chad, you are spot on.
Thank you Ana. That is really sweet.
Paul
Thank you Oleg.
Sarah! Thank you. You quoting me damn near made me tear up. That was meaningful in a way that’s hard to explain. I appreciate you. Thanks for trying to keep the forum alive. I notice!
Paul
Paul,
I usually am too scared to respond on blog posts due to the fear of others judging my intellect, grammar, etc. However, I feel the need to share how you have changed my life around completely, which proves that you are not a failure what so ever.
If I could make a difference in just one persons life, I would feel my duty as a person existing in this world has been fulfilled. I know for a fact you have not only impacted my life in a positive way, helping me to get out of the hell anxiety and depression can create, but all of these others who have posted comments as well, you have saved.
I’ve been to several medical doctors, seen many psychiatrists, and taken a medley of meds, none have helped me nearly as much as reading your posts and listening to your podcasts. The calmness and confidence in your voice and the strength woven in your words has given me a sense of hope for the future. Before I found your website, nothing, I mean nothing had ever helped at all. It was so bad I thought about ending everything, giving up completely on life. But you, your testimony, the fact you went through the anxiety, hell and came back with an ice cold glass of water in your hand, allowed me to trust in you. Not that I’m glad you had anxiety and panic, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but you speak on our level, the sufferers level, and I think that makes all the difference.
Not to sound corny, but you are my hero. I look up to you, your strength gives me strength. Reading this post scared me which of course increased my anxiety. I hope you bounce back from this feeling of failure, this is a distortion created by your own mind. I don’t know what I would do without your website. I rely on this website for sanity, to maintain a level of composure. Honesty I do not know what I would do if you hadn’t created this website, I searched and searched thoroughly through the web, no site comes close to what yours has to offer. None. I think I’m not the only one who feels that way. I know.
Please keep your head up, you are a savior to all those who suffer from anxiety disorders of all kinds.
Thank you
Paul,
If someone only reads one post that you’ve put up on your blog or listens to one podcast and it changes the direction of their life to a positive path you’ve done more than most people in this life can hope to achieve. Sometimes all we have is one shot to make a difference. If you’re the lighthouse that warns of the wayward ship of the rocky shore what difference does it make to the lighthouse whether it’s save one ship or a thousand? It’s fulfilled it/s purpose. Don’t shut down your light just because you think that it’s not doing any good. š
You’re only hearing from a small percentage of those who’ve benefited from your experience with anxiety and the hope of recovery.
Randy Reames
Centennial, Co.
I think you might have hit the nail on the head with the transitivity of anxiety. I mean that’s how I feel. I’m also a member of your AG Member blog but I admit I haven’t visited it in awhile. Why? Because I’m feeling loads better an because I starte learning to cope with anxiety myself and it’s getting easier by the day.
But you really shouldn’t feel depressed. Why did I get to this point? Because of you. No other website, book etc. etc. etc. has helped me as much as AG. You know to formulate things, easy to understand yet very complex. Your tips are straightforward yet encourage you to build on them and create a stable and powerful habit of living with and accepting anxiety to the poit where you feel yourself again. That’s what is been happening to me in the last couple of months and thus, that’s why I’m visiting AG less.
I’ll still be coming back every now and then because valuable infos and sites on anxiety are hard to be found.
Don’t feel bad, really! You helped dozens if not hundreds of people in 5 years. That’s a reason to feel proud! Helping a handful of people is worth more than being in the top 20 websites!
Cheers, Martin
Paul, like many in the comments below, I found your website a lifesaver during my relapse of anxiety over the last 4 months…there were days that literally I was shaking and in panic and listening to your message of hope was what kept me going. I had gone through the classes and therapy years ago but a lot of that knowledge was nebulous…your no-nonsense podcasts and special report helped me regain that knowledge and augment it with your very special perspective as an anxiety sufferer. I think you are doing a great job and I think that if you measure your success not in term of visits or downloads, you will see that you are VERY successful…your podcasts are permanently in my MP3 and I listen to them periodically and they have helped me a lot.
Keep up the great work and thank you for all your help.
Hello Paul, I honestly dont think you have failed over this five years with your blogs. When I found your website, I forgot about every other website there was on anxiety. I can say that your blogs and podcasts have helped me so much! It is the way that you help anxiety sufferers from the heart as opposed to helping people for money. Some people with anxiety dont even have money for therapy as those therapies are expensive. You know what you are talking about because you have experienced anxiety and know what a horrifying experience it is. Please keep doing what you are doing and even do more! The only way you can make your website betterbis by doing more of what you are doing more often. You probably have no idea how much people you have helped. Keep up the good work and keep helpibg people with anxiety. We need you and your support. š
Hey Paul,
So I’ve been missing in action for a few weeks because life has been busy. Has my abnormal anxiety gone away? Nope, far from it but I’m getting there. On my drive home from work tonight, I listened to one of your podcasts because I felt I needed a pick me up (battling anxiety, a stomach virus, tiredness due to a lack of good sleep, and vertigo has been rough for me this week.) AND, I was going to write to you and ask about some of the things you have talked about in the last 3 years, like guest writers, support groups, and interviews. I get on your website tonight and my heart skipped a beat. I was waiting for you to say “I’m shutting down the site because I failed” or what not.
Not sure what you are going through but I’ve also said recently “5 years of battling anxiety and how far have I come?” It’s been long and exhausting, yet I know I’ve come a long way. I still deal with a few things here and there (going through some anxiety as I write to you right now), yet I know I’ve improved tremendously from 5 years ago…shoot, from 4 months ago. I know this battle is ongoing, but I keep telling myself I’m close to my a-ha moment. I’ve done a lot of the work, but you’ve been a major part of my recovery. You’ve experienced what we’ve all experienced, so we are convinced of the things you promote on your blog. Do we stay away once we feel we’ve gotten over it? Sure, some of us do. But in the end, we gravitate back to your site because when we do have a bad day or week, listening to the right podcasts sets us straight. Also, once I beat this thing, I want to give back to those who need the help. I was hoping I could become a contributor to your site down the road when I feel comfortable enough to “share my story and success.”
You’ve done a lot for the anxiety community. Maybe things haven’t happened as quickly as you’d like, but you do have a lot of supporters out there, and there are a lot of people that will gravitate to your site for help and assistance down the road. Your service does not go unnoticed nor do we take it for granted.
Vent all you want because just as you are there for us, we are there for you. Keep your head Paul. You’ve come a long way, and I know there is a lot more ahead for you. Take a deep breath, relax, and look forward to tomorrow. Things might not happen overnight, but they will one day. You had anxiety for over 10 years before you had your a-ha moment. Remember that ride and apply it to the one you’re on now. We’re all waiting to jump onboard that ride towards peace and calm.
Have a good one,
Arturo
Hang in there please !!! I think is like when we have an anxiety or panic attack and the whole world collapses on us we try to hold us to something in my case a lot of times was this site so hang in there
Hey Paul,
I think you’re to harsh on yourself. As you said, people come to AG in times of need but then don’t show up so often anymore of not at all when they feel better. This has been my case. I admit I haven’ been on AG for a while and am also a member but have not visited the members page in a while. Why? Because I’m feeling better and am able to focus on all the things I have to do again.
The thing is, nothing helped me more to get to know, control and accept my anxiety that you. No other webpage, resource, ebook etc. You have a VERY deep understanding of anxiety and are doing the best job I’ve seen anywhere in explaining and uncovering it. Your suggestions and strategies are easy to understand and apply, while at the same time going very deep, challenging an anxious person to become better and better in the training against anxiety.
I think having helped dozens if not hundreds of people so far is worth more than being in the top 20 websites. It’s a reason to be proud of. It’s not failed blogging, it’s utter success!
Cheers, Martin
Hey Paul,
I think you’re to harsh on yourself. As you said,
people come to AG in times of need but then don’t show up so often
anymore of not at all when they feel better. This has been my case. I
admit I haven’ been on AG for a while and am also a member but have not
visited the members page in a while. Why? Because I’m feeling better and
am able to focus on all the things I have to do again.
The thing
is, nothing helped me more to get to know, control and accept my anxiety
that you. No other webpage, resource, ebook etc. You have a VERY deep
understanding of anxiety and are doing the best job I’ve seen anywhere
in explaining and uncovering it. Your suggestions and strategies are
easy to understand and apply, while at the same time going very deep,
challenging an anxious person to become better and better in the
training against anxiety.
I think having helped dozens if not
hundreds of people so far is worth more than being in the top 20
websites. It’s a reason to be proud of. It’s not failed blogging, it’s
utter success!
Cheers, Martin
Paul, you have helped me more than you’ll ever know. I keep your podcasts on my phone, especially the Panic Attack Survival Guide podcast. I’ve listened to you for years and have referred your website to countless number of people. You’re always there to remind me I’m going to be ok even though there are moments I’m frozen with fear. The fact that you had anxiety disorder brings deeper meaning to your podcasts, website, forum, etc. You’ve come out the other side! You’ve turned something so ugly on its head, hog-tied its feet and thrusts your arms in the air triumphantly! Thank you for sharing your message with the world. You are truly an inspiration to us all š
I would love to write a guest blog post if thats something you might be interested in? this is my own blog based around living with an anxiety disorder confinesoffear.wordpress.com and my email is 11002976@hope.ac.uk. Please let me know if this is something you might be interested in
Maeve
Darren, Thank you for opening up and sharing your thoughts. Thank you for letting me know how you feel.
Paul
Hi Maeve, If you’d like to contribute please email at info@anxietyguru.net.
Thank you!
I just found your site and your last blog almost gave me a panic attack! I hope you are not going to stop this site because just reading the posts of the other people gives me great hope. I think the problem might also be that (speaking for myself), people are embarrassed by anxiety so they are afraid to share this site or even like it on Facebook because of the stigma that anxiety carries. I’ve had anxiety for 25 years and the only people that know are the ones that I tell. I am vey careful who I tell because I have learned the hard way that some people can be unbelievably cruel and insensitive. I hope you were just venting because it is clear that you are important and invaluable to a lot of people.
Put simply, in 5 years you have done what no other therapist has done in in an entire career, and that’s with “no staff, no budget, no nothing.” That’s also considering you have just started. Change is good of course. But any change in strategies towards your new goals should take into account all of what’s gone right so far.
With all my appreciation for helping me get my life back.
Greetings from Mexico
Thank you Aldo.
Paul, I am new to your blog, and you’re right, anxiety is transient and we usually only need the resources when we’re in crisis, but believe me, hearing your voice and the wisdom you’ve imparted has already helped me and inspired me to take charge of my recovery. I feel truly hopeful and that is in part thanks to you. Keep on keeping on, and know that for those of us you do reach, your impact is tremendous. What is the value of one life? Or 3,000? Helping people take back their lives from anxiety can never be repaid, and I thank you!
I’m part of the many people writing you that have gotten more help here than anywhere. Especially the podcasts in my case. I LOVE them.
I agree that you might be really good at helping, and people don’t need the site as much after learning from you.
Another aspect is probably just the nature of anxiety itself. It’s a very isolated personal issue. People aren’t going to be super excited to share this site with their friends in fear of what others might think. Unless of course they too have anxiety issues. Which I would totally let them know, and have.
Don’t get too discouraged. I literally get excited when I see a new podcast icon on my phone.