Anxiety and Community - Improving Wellbeing, One Small Step at a Time

By Anna (Local Connector)

At Wellbeing Exeter, we are all about helping people to make positive changes to their lives, to feel better. That could be through community building, or one-to-one holistic, person centered support. We recognise that starting something new can be hard. There are lots of reasons we might need someone to help us reflect on what needs to change and support us in gently taking the first steps. 

As someone who suffered with anxiety, and still does from time to time, I know firsthand how exhausting it is, and how daunting new groups and settings can be. I first came across Wellbeing Exeter when I was deep in the midst of chaos. I felt constantly clouded by mental fog, I was permanently exhausted and honestly, looking back, I struggle to remember the face and name of the person who stepped in and helped me. But they wore the signature bright green lanyard of Wellbeing and had a gentle, hopeful manner that helped me move forward.

I was referred in by my GP, but anyone who’s feeling like they would like a bit of nurturing support and is ready to engage can self-refer via our webpage, which leads to a friendly welcome call. I remember getting a call, talking about what needed to change in my life, and how I could make steps towards feeling better. We then made plans to meet for a coffee in town and talk more about where I was at and what was going on in and around Exeter that I might be interested in.

I’ve struggled with my weight for a while and so I decided I needed to try some exercises. There are lots of free and low cost groups in Exeter that I didn’t know about, and I was signposted to some, as well as getting support to plan and start the couch to 5k. I think we may have even done the first session together as it was mostly walking and only 30 minutes. There were follow up calls to check in and another coffee catch up, all the while I was nurtured with a kind listening ear and an understanding guide, who always celebrated the little wins with me, no matter how small. I felt like I was given permission to be proud of myself for the smallest victories, taking a short walk, but also that it was ok to stop, fall short, and start again. There is power in taking the tiniest step.

During this phase I read a book called “How to Keep House While Drowning”, and it carried a message that (albeit a little rough around the edges) I have kept with me and has served me well. Anything worth doing is worth doing half assed. Gasp. Surely not! I hear you cry. But stay with me here, it’s about trying, baby steps. Giving yourself permission to try small. And it works! Start small, celebrate the smallest achievement, and then try another one. This is how we can build mountains. It’s been a couple of years and I have been falling down and starting again, I’ve become masterful at trying again and celebrating small wins. And over time those small wins have grown, from attending a weekend workshop to completing the couch to 5k (4 times now, because life frequently gets in the way). And I’m now getting back to work, starting small, part time and flexible. But it’s given me the confidence to know that I can. And the futures looking bright.