Dear Nida:

Yes, I do have tips:

Do not expect perfection: focus on Progress, not Perfection. Expect a zig-zag like progress, some regressions on the way forward.

When you feel distress, do not be alarmed, try to not react any which way to distress. Stay with the distress best you can, notice how it feels. Stay, don’t run, don’t rush, stay. Breathe, calm down best you can, again and again… and yet again.

Be patient. I call the patience required excruciating patience. So much of it is required… more than what seems possible.

Learn ways to decrease that distress, take fast walks outside perhaps, when distressed, a hot bath, relaxing guided meditations, yoga, other exercise, music….ways to reduce the distress that is not unhealthy.

When you find a way that works (ex. exercise), don’t over do it.

Be gentle with yourself, self aggression will be counter productive. It is not an effective motivator.

Did I mention that excruciating patience? I still find it excruciating at times, in my own experience.

* Will be back in about sixteen hours.

anita