My Anxiety Experience

Hey, today I though I'd share some experiences that may help you. 
It's no secret that over the last few years I have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks that came from a variety of phobias. 

I have had some tough times with this and anyone that has suffered with this particular mental health issue will tell you it is very much ups and downs. 

I struggled with staying in classes and exams were a particular problem as I felt trapped and severely panicked. 

I have gone through a lot of different tactics to combat this and I really want to talk about them but I think I'll leave that for another time. 

The first thing I want to emphasise is YOU ARE NOT ALONE! It is such a common problem I guarantee someone else is feeling the same! Also, it is not strange or stupid to feel this way and it does not make you weird and people WILL want to help you!

Before I talk about my experiences here are some important websites and helplines if you don't feel like there is anyone to talk to. (I suggest teachers, friends, family, guardians or even us if you like our email is izzelle101@gmail.com)

Samaritans helpline: 08457909090 (24 hour) they also have a website
No Panic: tel:08449674848 (10am-10pm)
Anxiety UK: tel:08444775774 (Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm)

Since the end of year 11 and starting college my life has completely changed. I am now able to go on public transport on my own and haven't had a panic attack in 4 and a half weeks! This is the longest in over 3 and a half years. I know it doesn't seem like a lot but it feels amazing. Everyone said starting a new school would end up badly for me but I needed just proved to myself I could do it! 

If you suffer from problems like this the best thing you can say if yes! I started to say yes to more opportunities and push myself harder. Slowly but surely I proved to myself and everyone around me that I could do things without having panic attacks and without feeling like the ground was going to swallow me up. 

It started with getting the bus on my own to meet friends and then going shopping on my own. I channeled my worry into constructive things like skateboarding and revising. 

Since starting Year 12 I have been accepted onto a photography trip to Iceland for a week in February! This time last year I wouldn't have even considered the trip as I don't know anyone going but if I don't accept the opportunity now then I know it'll regret it for the rest of my life! And to be honest I couldn't be happier I am beside myself with excitement! 

Also, I am volunteering with the Libra Foundation to volunteer for 2 weeks in Romania. Again, I don't know anyone going but it is a brilliant opportunity and the most important thing to me is travelling. 

I want you to know that not matter how dark and deep your hole seems now even if there's no one there to pull you out, eventually, you can climb out yourself and I finally feel like I'm proof of that. 

I really hope you have a fantastic day 

Lots of love as always 

Toodle-oo

 Izzy

New beginnings!

It has got to that time of year again where students have been getting their exam results. Which in turn means that its getting closer to going back to school or starting a new college, sixth form, university etc. We thought we would to write this post together as its affecting both of us and it's important to remember you are never alone in these situations.

(random photo of us sledging)

 We have recently received our GCSE results. I think both of us weren't too happy or too disappointed about them but both of did pretty well. What we learnt was not to compare ourselves to others. Some people in our year got all A* but that doesn't matter because i think everyone tried their hardest and got the results they worked for and deserve. Comparing our results to someone who did better wont change what we got, only make us sadder (don't know if that's a word!). 

In England we finish 'high school' at 16 and then have 2 years in education which can be a sixth form which is attached to a school, a college which is independent from a school or an apprenticeship which is work experience. What can be know as college in the US is just University to us.

(Me: Left, Izzy: right) 

Even though me and Izzy haven't  been close friends for that long we have always been in the same schools and this will be the fist time we've been separated since year 1! I am staying at our schools sixth form while Izzy is going to college. This is because our sixth form is a lot smaller than most others and I feel that going somewhere bigger I would get lost in the crowd, it would cause me too much anxiety meaning I don't think I would succeed as well in my A levels.

*Passes laptop to Izzy*

I decided to leave our sixth form this year after having 4 stubborn years of being adamant I wouldn't stray from our school. Over the last few years I have been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks (more on that at another point) and I felt that if I didn't push myself now then when I went off to work or university the change would be so big that I wouldn't be able to handle it. It is a big step up from school and I am petrified but I know that everyone will be in the same boat as me as everyone in the year will be new. My big fear is leaving our friendship group as I honestly wouldn't change them for the world, they have got me through so much recently I cant thank them enough. There have been a lot of tears-trust me.

(us before our prom this year) 

I don't really know what I want to do in the future except travel. Like, Isabelle I have chosen a wide range of subjects to how a broad skill set that would appeal to future employers but not limit or restrict me if I suddenly find my calling a few years down the line. Unless I suddenly decide I want to be a brain surgeon or rocket scientist- then I'm very screwed. I have taken; English Literature, Photography, Sociology and Politics as these are things I enjoy and feel I would be most interested in.

*passes laptop back to Isabelle* 

I(Isabelle) have no clue what I would like to do when I leave school so have chosen a wide range of subjects to do at AS. These are a mix of subjects and enjoy and ones I've never done before. These are geography, psychology, sociology and English literature.

Starting a new school can be very daunting and scary but every else is most probably feeling the same as you. I remember starting year 7 and thinking how big the year 11's looked! I found meeting new people and having new subjects was the best part.

Anyone will tell you that we are the loudest and giggliest pair but when put into a situation where we don't know anyone we can be as quiet as mice and very shy. The best thing to do is just introduce yourself or even just ask someone a question I'm certain they'll just be thankful to have someone to talk to. When I (Izzy) went on an induction day to my college I would just ask people who were going in the same general direction as me where they were going and then not only do you not have to walk alone you don't worry as much about getting lost. Plus, you can hopefully make some friends. Also, don't forget to give it a few weeks, for a while everyone will be clinging to anyone that they vaguely recognize so just put yourself out there and people will respond and start to branch out too.

(Us doing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge this year)

We've both not had our first two weeks of school and i'll be the first to say life has been pretty boring and miserable without having Izzy by my side all the time. There have been tears but we know us, and the rest of our friendship group truly are friends for life. It has been extremely strange hearing Izzy talk about her new friends but i know it's just part of life to have different groups of friends but it doesn't make our friendship any weaker...if you get what i mean? So if you're confident in the strength of your friendship then i wouldn't worry at all, just develop ways to stay in contact regularly with each other.

And i'll leave you with a couple dashing photos of me and Izzy from 2012.

Toodle-oo

❣

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Lace and Dasises

  

 

We are experiencing a heat wave at the moment *touch wood* and that has meant a few consecutive days down the beach (with many more planned!) It really is days like these that you can appreciate the little things.

With exams all over and a long stretch of summer ahead I feel exceedingly thankful to have the people around me that I do. Sat here in front of the fan, scrolling through countless pictures of the last few months, I thought I would write a little something from mine and Isabelle's reunion after I went away for 2 weeks. (Maybe a blog post on that soon?)

 

We had a wander through a nature reserve that really holds a lot of memories for us both. I remember when I was a toddler and my brother fell in the duck pond and my mum stood and laughed (don't worry it wasn't deep and he was fine) but apparently I wasn't too pleased. I also remember when we built our first snowman and had our first snowball fight. There was also the first snow day Isabelle and I had as friends where we went down their with our mums (and we dragged my twin brother along too) and sledged down the hill- although not very successfully. My mum used to take my brother and I to the duck pond and we'd give them stale bread; although we used to eat most of it ourselves. We have had countless failed attempts to climb the heroic trees that stand in the middle of the field. This place really means a lot to us and I don't think I quite realised that until sat down and put it into words.

I hope you enjoyed this little piece of our day and let us know if you would like too see more!

 

Isabelle's Outfit

Crop Top

Shorts

Flip Flops

 

 My Outfit
( I was very camera shy that day for a very good reason. We'd gone out with friends and decided to watch the sunset on a marsh that was by one of their houses. It was a really nice idea at the time but we got eaten alive my mozzies. Unfortunately
 I had an allergic reaction and my entire face swelled up twice the size. Even the Doctor laughed!)

My Flip Flops and Top were from Primark so there isn't a link

Shorts(Similar)

 
Also, I have recently joined this really cool app called Depop. You can sell and buy clothes directly from sellers and for a lot cheaper than retail prices when things have hardly been worn. I have bought2 pairs of shorts and top so far and am so impressed by it I am quickly becoming obsessed! You can follow me at: izzycatherine

Song Of The Week: Echosmith- Cool Kids and The 1975-Chocolate

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We hope you enjoyed this little OOTD, let us know if you would like to see more

Toodle-oo

❣

 

 

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