I don’t like New Year’s resolutions because they don’t work.
The reality is that you can start to change on any given day. So I’m not going to ask you to set a goal with an arbitrary timeline.
Instead, I want you to reflect on a few things. For starters, what are you going to do differently this year to lower your anxiety?
I want you to take a step back and really think about that.
After you and I stop stuffing our faces with cookies and pie (or is that just me?) this holiday season it’s time to get serious about your recovery.
Actually, I’ve already started the process. Today I went through my email list and deleted nearly 1,500 people from it.
I deleted people that were not opening my emails or engaging in a meaningful way.
Now I didn’t go nuts. I only deleted people that have been disengaged for more than 3 months. I figure those people aren’t serious about getting better.
Or maybe they weren’t ready to change, or maybe my site wasn’t a good fit; whatever the reason I am going to focus on those of you that are still here.
I don’t say this often, or maybe I never have, but you guys are special to me. I work on this site because I know exactly how you feel.
I’ve actually felt most of the symptoms you complain about. I have had a thousand fake heart attacks and just as many panic attacks.
The thing is, I don’t anymore. And I want the same thing for you. That means that I’m going to get more serious as well.
That means high quality podcasts, useful information and a bigger effort on my part to connect with you this year.
So, going back to my challenge, head to the comments section below and tell me about what you could do differently this year.
I think that’s a good start.
Happy New Year Paul!
I am going to work on being more positive and finding new ways to reduce stress daily. I know that my anxiety is something I’ll have to work on consistently. But I know that I’m not alone in my battle. It’s comforting to know that I have your podcasts to listen to on the challenging days. Real advice from someone who cares and has been there. Thank you for all the dedicated work you do. You are making a true difference in this world by helping so many of us anxiety sufferers. It’s because of you that I quickly got into action mode and started implementing some necessary changes in my life to start healing. Since working with you over the phone, I’ve finally accepted my symptoms and learned not to fear them. I can honestly say the palps are starting to fade away! Keep up the good work at anxietyguru.net!
Hi Paul. firstly, Happy New Year to You; With many thanks.
To change my Year ahead is simply this, I have your help which gives me confidence, also reading comments from others on your Site. So, I will simply soak up what you advise, giving me thee evidence that, I am not alone. I used to be so Frightened, but no more.
Many Blessings and thanks to you and to all of your followers with their comments. Have a Great new Year All. John.
Happy New Year,
Thank you for you work Paul. Of all the podcasts and other anxiety help available out there, I keep going to yours. You sound very genuine and I like your messages. Even though I currently take an SSRI for my anxiety, I will continue to work my way through this so that I can eventually be without medication. That includes continuously remembering to practise mindfullness, recognize when I am getting stressed or overwhelmed before it find myself in a tailspin I can’t get out of and continuing with my EMDR sessions. I try to follow all of your advise and find hope in the fact that you were able to get past it. Thanks again and best of wishes to all those struggling with this.
Happy New Year Paul!
You have helped me so much in a short time. I am doing better. I feel much better. Knowing that I am not alone is such a comfort. We can and will move on to a better year.
Hey Everybody,
So I’ve been a fan of AG for 3 years now. In Jan 2011, I had been suffering from a setback going on 3 months. It was torture to say the least. I remember searching in iTunes for “anxiety relief”, and I came across Paul’s podcasts and website (how things have changed from then until now!) Yup, it was my resolution to end my anxiety right then and there, and although I came into this journey with the wrong mindset, I eventually made it onto the right path.
Fast forward to today, and I have gotten better. I decided to get on the meds in September (Zoloft). I also attended a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course (which I will recommend if you can find one in you’re area) The medication worked, but I have suffered some side effects that I’m currently trying to overcome. I stopped visiting the forums but I kept on listening to the podcasts. Why did I stop? Not sure but oh well. I kept listening because as many of you have already pointed out, they all seem to resonate one way or another with what we’re dealing with.
My point? We can all overcome anxiety if we go with the flow, accept, and use the tools we already have. There are some podcasts that I have memorized!!! For a guy like me, having anxiety took away my freedom, “manhood”, and pride. Today, the world knows about my disorder, and I’m a better person because of it ( I turned a negative into a positive.)
We are all in this together, and Paul is there to remind us of this fact. Let 2015 be a life changer for all of us. Let the world know of what Paul is doing because there are a lot of folks who are battling anxiety without any true direction. My goal is to feel even better, get married to the love of my life, and spread the word about Paul and AG.
Be well everyone and many thanks go out to you Paul for what you do for us.
From someone that knows:
Get off tte Rxs immediately. https://jimstonefreelance.com/testimony1.html
In 2015 I want to figure out what my triggers are and not be so scared and frustrated by my anxiety. Hard core face the triggers and not give them the power to drive me batty… Please know this site is the first place I run to when I feel overwhelmed – thank you.
Cindy, WOW is all I can say. Way to increase anxiety in those that take them… From someone that would be housebound without them, my reply to 100% of those people is maybe it’s just your anxiety disorder coming back when you’re no longer treating it.
Meds are for some, they aren’t for some. What I believe might not be what you believe and that’s ok. Getting our lives back and living normal by whatever technology is available. Good luck and good health to you Cindy.
Happy New Year Paul,
Great blog and site you have going here will definitely share. Here’s my anxiety success story as well – https://www.anxietykey.com. Keep up the great work.
Dennis
Steve? Did you read that piece? Trust in God, Paul Dooley, Claire Weekes and your own body’s ability to heal itself. Believe me, I speak from over forty years of experience with this. You do not want to trust anything from big pharma. It is toxic poison to your brain and you will never get your self back again. Trying to help others is often a thankless job. I expected to be bashed for sounding the alarm. I have nothing to gain for myself in telling you this. Think it over.
Happy new year Paul,
In 2015 I want to focus more on my future and the possibilities that it holds, medidate and always think positive. overcome my fears and just live a fullfing life!
Yes, I wasted my time and read it. The guy is a conspiracy theorist extreme. Sandy Hook was caused by the government. Jewish racism, I could go on but I won’t.
You just used your own words and aid Claire Weekes. She definitely digests the use of sedatives in her books. I’m sorry we disagree but I’m not changing your mind and you’re not changing mine.
It was never about changing anyone’s mind. It’s about giving you a heads up. God given free will allows you to choose your path.
Happy New Year! Thank you Paul for being so helpful and sharing your experience along with all your information to help people and those with anxiety, like me!
For the new year I plan on doing whatever I want to do without letting anxiety or fear get in the way. My plan is to keep being active, setting goals that challenge me and eating healthy. The podcasts and things you have put out there have helped motivate and inspire me, so thank you for that!
I think you mean well Cindy but this is propaganda. I agree with Steve.
I don’t want to be mean, but I would like to say that if some of the people here are really anxious, reading this article will not help at all and only create more unfounded fear.
I also think I can’t change your mind. But don’t scare people please. We are all in the same boat, or at least, we all have faced the storms. Furthering fear with false information is not helping. It’s like the vaccine thing; based of false or biased research. I for one am happy to live without polio.
Also, Happy New year to all.
Cindy, very unfair to use a comments section on someone else’s site to peddle your propaganda. I’ve seen medication work wonders with people who were in severely anxious or depressed states.
Many sufferers, especially those with health anxiety, agonise over the decision to take prescribed meds, so for you to post up a baseless conspiracy theory like that will have caused unnecessary pain for some of those people.
Not baseless, Paul. Shame on you for not keeping an open mind. I thought better of you. You loose your argument when you name call “baseless conspiracy theory”. That is what uneducated people say when they have lost the debate. Do your own research. You are the one being unfair when you tell people to close their minds. All Pharma is toxic junk. Period. You don’t want to believe it, fine. Pick your poison. Truth will out. In the meantime I was sharing to prevent further heartache. This anxiety business is heartbreaking enough. Do not need to add anything heaped on while we suffer so much.
BTW The comment about the false fear of vaccines is really a heartbreaker. I beg you all to use some common sense and really look for the truth.
Also, Cindy, not the same Paul…
fyi.
Thanks other Paul for stepping up.
Don’t believe everything you read.
😉
//endnonsensicaldebate
Well that was awkward. The last thing anxious people need is conspiracy theories to worry about.
Thanks for this interesting opportunity to share. I plan to continue seeking and doing the things I have/had always enjoyed so much, but stopped doing as a result of being anxious. I find that when I give my brain something else to chew on besides anxious thoughts and rumination, that life is much better. I am having periods of peace that last for weeks at a time. And I’m learning that setbacks aren’t the end of the world. It’s all part of the recovery process. I have suffered high generalized anxiety for four years now, but I am confident that doing things that are fun for me can lead me to enjoying life again, and eventual freedom from high anxiety! This isn’t easy, but it is possible if you are persistent. Godspeed to all, and thanks to Paul for all he does to help sufferers.
Paul,
Thank you for continuing to send me these refreshing emails. I have been a subscriber since 2011 and cherish every single one, although this is the first I’ve commented on and I just wanted to share my story.
When I first realized I was having anxiety, I was also having very serious heart palpitations and saw 3 different cardiologists only for them to tell me I had benign PACs/PVCs in my heart. So, basically my heart really does skip beats, or, beats prematurely. Those suckers were the cause of my anxiety and panic, every day I left like I was going to die. I had never dealt with this before and I was only 21 years old. I was scared. Until I read your forum and realized that I’m not the only one who goes through this, so thank you!! I later came to realize that my anxiety causes the heart palpitations and the palpitations make me have anxiety, so it’s a vicious cycle for me. My doctor wanted me on anti anxiety meds and depression meds and I was not happy to try them, they all made me sick or more anxious. One even gave me tachycardia! I gave up on them because they made me feel worse and promised myself I would handle my emotions and my fears on my own, with the help of your emails and podcasts of course! It’s been almost 4 years and I have learned to cope with the feelings of fear and nervousness I get occasionally and I am still battling panic attacks every now and then. But the first thing I always do is come to listen to Paul to calm me down. I’ve used breathing techniques, meditation, and tapping. Anything to keep my mind off of whatever made me anxious.
So Happy New Year, Paul. Thanks for all that you do for such a large community. We all really appreciate it!
I have been putting this off long enough. I have to get back on the mountain bike, on the same trail that I had my first fake heart attack a little over three years ago. I followed your suggestion of exercising at a 120 heart rate to train my heart not to run away with palpitations every time my heart rate went up. I got a little frisky and was pedaling at maximum heart rate when I had an extra systole after cresting a hill. “Oh my God I must be having a heart attack, that tingle was almost a pain, and right in the center of my chest, where heart attacks are felt.” Off the cardiologist again. (Already had all the tests done indicating that my heart problems were between my ears) He explained how the change of heart rate from uphill to down can trigger an extra systol. He also reminded me that he did not recommend that I ride at maximum hart rate for more that brief periods. Well that set me back a ways. Back to slow and steady. Time to get back on the trails.
Thanks Paul