I’ve been sober 25 days and anxiety is kicking my ass. I’m an introvert and I’ve gotten myself in a situation where I’ve gotten very flirty with a guy at work. I know it was wrong to do because he has a girlfriend so needless to say the situation can go literally nowhere. I want out of the flirty situation now because I want to move forward and not feel guilty anymore and try to focus getting myself ready for whoever I ultimately end up with. I know I’m not ready for a relationship because my anxiety acts up like crazy, I’m moody, I need to work on my social skills, I’m awkward, and the laundry list goes on. I am starting counseling so I can get my life together. I want a drink to calm my nerves and anxiety but I’m not going to get one. This is one of the nights I would have several too many 
Well im glad you are her posting! Have some tea, take a long shower or bath and go to bed early. Tomorrow is another day 
I’m scared to try to sleep because the anxiety. It makes me feel awful. I’ve been that way as long as I can remember and I don’t know why. I’m about to start counseling soon and I have so many issues I don’t even know where to start. 
Have you tried melatonin?
Its good to be aware of our emotions and learn how to deal with the anxieties from everyday stresses. Dont feel guilty for being flirty with the guy you know it can go no where so just leave it at that. Drinking wont make us feel any less awkward, your doing the best thing for yourself for chossing to abstain from alcohol, just do the next right thing, you learn how to cope better as you continue working on your recovery, one step one breath at a time. Good job on making it 25 days👍
Yes I used to take it about four years ago when I was going through my divorce and in too much emotional pain to sleep at all. I have kind of gotten a handle on it for the most part now but on my job I work second shift during the week and 1st shift on Saturday. So on a normal day I would just be getting home. It really messes up my sleep pattern and all of my emotional issues just have me a mess.
Im here if youd like to chat
Thank you, I guess with the guy it just feels kind of weird because when he sees another guy getting flirty with me he always says something about it but when he’s talking to another girl or make a comment about a girl it bothers me a bit but I don’t feel it’s my place to say anything about it. So I just don’t and he has started talking rudely about some of the other co workers when he knows they are my friends and he gets mad at me when I take up for them. The situation is just really pegging at me emotionally and I want to pull back but don’t know how to. He seems to have changed as of lately and I feel like I’ve had rose colored glasses on when it has come to him for a long time now. By now I would have just came home and gotten a drink and said F*** it. But I want to conduct myself in a healthy way. So now I’m starting to exercise and going to start seeing a counselor.
Thank you 
Thank you for sharing your story! You’re not alone. January, post-Holiday time, is such a weird and often grey space for people. My anxiety has definitely reached higher levels this month and I’m also having trouble coping. What I do find helpful is Chamomile tea at night, and some funny YouTube content (The Try Guys is a great channel) to keep my mind off of the stresses of life, even for just a bit, and to help me get past the heavy urge to drink. With my social anxiety, I’ve also said No to various social events and I don’t let myself feel guilty about it. If my mind and spirit are not in the right place to be around groups of people, then I’m not going and thats okay. There will always be others.
As for the guy at work, this is a judgment-free zone but I understand how it is making you feel. Moving forward, maybe try removing the flirty approach and revert back to professional and/or just friendly interaction. If he feels weird about that, then kindly explain that any other type of interaction is inappropriate because he’s in a relationship and it’s best for both of you to keep things friendly and professional.
Congrats on signing up for counseling! You’re taking control of your life and headed in the right direction! Congrats on 25 days as well. I’m at 19, and it’s been a struggle, but I find healthy distractions, and drink flavored sparkling water, and push through it.
I definitely want to try chamomile tea. I heard it is good for relaxing. With the guy I did kind of attempt to step back a bit off the flirting but he didn’t so it kinda didn’t work out well. I just really ended up sounding like a smart ass with the things I was saying to him. I did tell him that he was treating me differently and I didn’t feel like I knew him like I thought I did. I guess I don’t really know how to say what I really mean to say and have fear that things will get even weirder. I kind of feel like I should leave well enough alone and just try to grey rock him until he gets the picture. I just feel that if I try to talk about it then things will be even more emotionally weird for me.
A healthy you thats what your aiming for, like some say we’re all getting better at getting better everyday. Glad your starting counseling i needed therapy to help me dig deep and understand the reasons for why im the way i am. Just take it easy and be gentle with yourself, do your self care and just know that things can get better.
When I get into counseling I know things are going to get rough because I have a lot of issues. I really don’t know where to start. I was basically born into a bunch of drama so when I became an adult I created my own drama. I have 40 years of drama to somehow sort through and straighten out
It takes a lot but once we start to untangle the cobwebs inside our head things become clear and we start working through the issues it is a lifetime of drama for some of us that we have to sort through
Start a journal and see whats really haunting you the most and focus on that first. You are stronger than you know, just you wait
I’ve been to counseling so many times and not been strong enough to do the work. I am ready now. My life and my peace are depending on it.
It has been on my mind to start writing down my negative thoughts of things that are bothering me throughout each day. I been scared though and a little embarrassed to even admit to myself some of the silly things that trigger me. I hate it that there is so many things every day that trigger my anxiety.
Its not silly if its causing you so much grief. Sounds like working through it is just what the dr ordered
Congratulations on 25 days 
You will feel better just give it some time for your body and brain to recover.
The most important part is you’re not alone. A lot of us on here have or are going thru the same things… Anxiety is part of the process. I think Your body and mind are afraid of change and what comes with it… but the pain of change is nothing compared to the pain of staying the same. You’re on the right path. Just gotta keep fighting:muscle:t2: