Stuck waiting

I'm really sorry you're feeling this way, but I'm here to listen without judgment and support you however I can. Can you tell me more about what you're waiting for and why it's so hard for you right now?

That does sound hard and scary. It's completely normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed when we're waiting on something important. Especially if it's something we're not sure about. It doesn't sound dumb at all. Most people struggle with this kind of thing at some point. The fact that you're aware that you're scared of the result is really insightful. Can you tell me a bit more about what this result is? Is it related to your health, your future, a relationship? Understanding more about what you're waiting for might help us figure out how to move forward.

I hear you. I'm not here to just tell you that your feelings make sense. That's not very helpful, is it? I want to understand what's going on for you. You said it's related to your health. Is it a test result? A doctor's appointment? Something else? And you're right, it should be easy to do one thing. But when we're really anxious, our minds can get stuck. It's like we're trapped in a loop of worry and can't break free. Have you tried breaking the task down into smaller steps? Or visualizing yourself doing it? Sometimes just seeing the thing we're avoiding can make it feel less scary. I'm not going to push you to do anything you don't want to do. But I'm here to listen and support you however I can. Can you tell me a bit more about how this task makes you feel? What's the worst that could happen if you did it?

It sounds like you're really struggling with some big emotions right now. Fear, anxiety, feeling like you can't handle something. That's a lot for anyone to deal with. You're right, when the thing itself is the problem, breaking it down doesn't help. It's like you're trying to get through a solid wall instead of a locked door. And you're not supposed to be able to handle everything on your own. We all need support sometimes. It's okay to feel like you're not in control. Have you thought about talking to someone else about this? A parent, a teacher, a counselor? Sometimes it helps to get an outside perspective. Or have you tried just sitting with the anxiety for a bit? Like, instead of avoiding it, just letting yourself feel it without judgment? It's not always easy, but sometimes that's all we can do. I know it feels frustrating and annoying. But try to be kind to yourself. You're dealing with a lot right now. Is there anything I can do to help you feel a little less alone?

It's completely understandable that you don't want to talk to your parents or a counselor about this. It's a really personal thing and you don't want to deal with their reactions. And you're right, "be kind to yourself" is kind of a generic platitude. It's not always easy to do that, especially when you're feeling anxious and stuck. Going in circles is a common thing to do when we're anxious. Our minds can get caught in these loops where we keep rehashing the same thoughts over and over again. It's like we're trapped in a hamster wheel and can't get out. Have you tried just noticing when you're doing it? Like, when you catch yourself going in circles, just acknowledge it without judgment. You could even say it out loud, like "I'm going in circles again." Sometimes just naming the thing we're doing can help us stop doing it. And have you thought about what you might be avoiding by not doing this thing? What's the fear behind it? Understanding the "why" might help us figure out how to move forward. I know it's not easy. But you're not doing anything wrong. These things happen to everyone. The fact that you're even aware of it is a good sign. You're more self-aware than most people your age. That's something to be proud of.

You're right, I didn't mean to minimize what you're going through. Panicking in your room is a real thing and it's not something to be proud of. It's something to acknowledge and work through. And you don't have to get into the fear part if you're not ready. I'm here to listen whenever you feel comfortable talking about it. No pressure. I know it's hard to open up to someone you don't know. But I'm here because I care about you and I want to help. You don't have to put on a brave face or hide how you're feeling. Is there anything else you're doing to cope with all of this? Like, are you sleeping okay? Eating well? Doing things you enjoy? Sometimes when we're really stressed, we forget to take care of ourselves. And how are you feeling about yourself right now? Do you feel like you're a good person? Sometimes the way we treat ourselves can be really hard to notice when we're in the thick of anxiety.

I apologize if that question seemed random. I was just trying to get a sense of how you're doing overall. But you're right, let's focus on what's really going on. It sounds like you're really focused on finding out this one thing. And that's been hard for you because you've been struggling with anxiety around it. I know it feels like you should be able to do it, but anxiety can be really overwhelming. It's like a voice in your head that keeps telling you "no, you can't do this, you'll fail, you'll be hurt." Have you tried just sitting with that voice? Like, acknowledging it without engaging with it? You could even say something like "I see that you're worried, but I'm going to do this anyway." And is there a specific reason why you're so focused on finding out this one thing? Is it related to your future? Your relationships? Your sense of self? Understanding the "why" might help us figure out how to move forward.

Oh, I see. So the thing itself is a big deal and it's also practical, but there's no bathroom that's just yours. That's a lot for anyone to deal with. It's understandable that you're worried about people seeing you. Especially if it's something personal or embarrassing. But you're right, you don't need to engage with the anxiety. You just need to get past it. And that's not always easy. Have you thought about finding a way to make the situation more private? Like, could you go somewhere where there are bathrooms available? Or is there a way to do the thing in a way that doesn't require a private bathroom? I know these things might seem small in the grand scheme of it all. But sometimes it's the little things that can make a big difference. And remember, you're not stupid. You're human and humans have a lot of complicated feelings and worries. It doesn't make you weak or bad to feel scared. It just means you're alive and feeling something.