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How to Quiet Anxiety
My mother was anxious, and she taught me well. But I’m testing out a new technique. When I feel myself anticipating the worst, I take note of it, and then I exhale. It takes focus to envision the best outcome, first. Tomorrow, my beautiful dog Rose is having a procedure to remove a noncancerous mass above her eye. Deep breath out. Right now, I’m focusing like crazy.
BREAKING NEWS: Rose has come through her surgery, AOK!! Thanks for the support.
Illustration by Daniel Seex
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15 comments for “How to Quiet Anxiety”
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Thinking of you- hope all goes well with Rose tomorrow.
Thanks! Still waiting to hear back from the vet. Pins and needles, but everything should be ok.
Sending both you and Rose positive healing and calming energy.
Wendy, I share with you a propensity toward catastrophic thinking and (in my case) my brain being hijacked by negative and recurring thoughts. I, too, am working to overcome this (very natural) reaction (natural, because the brain has a negativity bias, which might have helped when we were hunter-gatherers, but not so much now).
Anyway, good vibes to the both of you.
We appreciate the healing thoughts.
Oh, I am sending good vibes from the east coast to you both. Hopes for a painless procedure and quick healing for little Rose!
She looked so cute this morning when I brought her in, with no idea of the day ahead.
Hope all goes well with Rose. I am quite the worrier too. So I completely understand the anxiety.
She’s 10 1/2, so the anesthestia is really my biggest concern. It’s comforting to know the mass isn’t cancerous.
My dog is almost 14, and I think I will need to be institutionalized when she dies. I’m glad the procedure went well and that Rose is now home safely convalescing!
Day 3, post op. Rose is doing great. She was given an Elizabethan collar-type cone to protect her wound. And it’s driving her crazy, which is driving me crazy. But from everything I read, I need to stay resolved to keep it on so she doesn’t rip out the stitches.
I’m sure Rose is in excellent hands and she’ll be so happy to see you when it’s over! Best wishes for a good recovery.
ROSE!!! I’m so glad she’s doing well…nothing worse than a sick pet.
I was taught to worry and jump to the worst possible conclusion to virtually every problem. It’s a constant battle to overcome. I have to be “in check” all the time.
Assume Favorable Outcomes – my new mantra.
Glad Rose is okay! Little trooper!
She’s been cone free all day, without scratching her wound. She can eat and drink water on her own. We’re both much happier now.