"Anxiety support"

I was getting very low and anxious at Christmas time as I find it very stressful around that time of the year with family. I lost my mum 13 years ago to cancer and it had effected me very much, we were best friends and was always there for each other every day.  I could turn to mum for advice and guidance at anytime but once that was gone I was then left feeling like I had to step into her shoes with the rest of my siblings whom are alot older than me. I tried to be there for them, giving up alot of my own time to help and offer advice. I didn't realise how exhausted I was feeling having this responsibility on my shoulders. I could never say no to anyone even when I wanted to, it was all getting too much. I was also taking things very personally and analysing everything anyone would say to me, I started to feel like I wanted to avoid everyone and push people away as it was causing me so much anxiety and stress. I just knew at that point that I needed to ask for help before I pushed away the people that I really loved. 

I then contacted Inclusion Thurrock and was put on a 3 weeks Time for Change course, I was determined this time to see it through and embrace everything that was offered to me and it was the best thing I ever did as it changed my attitude and made me see things in a different way. 

I had 121 counselling with Barry and he was excellent, so easy to talk to and understood where I was coming from, I was able to open up to him and change my way of thinking without even realising it. At first I was writing notes from what Barry was saying but then realised with Barry's help that I didnt need them as everything we talked about would be processed by me without even realising it and it was true, it all came to me naturally. I was amazed at how quickly the weeks went by and how I had altered my mind set and felt so  confident and wasn't anxious anymore, I got to feeling that I don't care what people thought of me and just to be myself. Also to make more me time without feeling guilty. I was actually looking forward to my weekly counselling sessions and then on the last one realised I didn't need them anymore...it felt like I could see things so much clearer and was at peace with myself again. 

Thank you Inclusion for being so professional and speedy with it all and also thank you to Barry for your time, dedication and just to listen to me patiently which is the most important thing! I now have a wellbeing Thursday to replace my weekly 121 session and will be taking that day to myself doing exactly what I want to do and without feeling guilty :)