topic Re: I freaked out :( in Community Spirit

I freaked out :(

lobs211 — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:22:19 GMT

No haters??? Just askin 🙂

I got a shock this weekend, Im pretty tough, been thru alot and come out of it and am ok.

This weekend I had to be introduced to this priest and nun ( a community thing) & I knew I had to & I thought it would be okay. The priest was fine but the nun freaked me out - took me straight back to 10 years old.

For 3 days (LOL) I was put in a Catholic school by Foster parents when I was 10. 2 different Nuns flogged me. I was used to bein hit but not by a white nun and not even really by a female. No one outta family anyway.

Only lasted 3 days and sent elsewhere.

Point is this was a LONG time ago and I had forgotten til Im standing in front of this nun and I just lost it, started shaking, was gonna cry, I think I had a panic attack.......... anyway this freaked me out, I grabbed my kids and left, even tho I was sposed to do some stuff, I just left & was crying in the car.

My question is - My God get over it, MUCH worse done to you for MUCH longer and you freak out over a little old woman............ next Thursday I sitting on a panel in front of people, guess who I sitting with???

At this point I thinking of taking off and not being here but then I think you crazy...... she harmless, it wasnt her, those 2 would be dead now................. this is freakin me out, should I take off?? Im scared of losing it sittin up there!

OMG - any thoughts?

Re: I freaked out :(

azureline** — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:53:27 GMT

I feel for you! however, you had a panic attack.

So now, can you meet up with her beforehand? and talk to her about your past experience? She may be able to make you feel better and get over it.

Re: I freaked out :(

siggie-reported-by-alarmists — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:53:04 GMT

Can you arrange a private meeting with her, and tell her why you reacted that way? Before the upcoming meeting.

By talking with her, and explaining your experience, you might be able to heal your wounds.

She personally, has not done anything to you, yet might be the perfect person to council you.

Other councilors should be able to help also.

Deal with this now, as running away from what you really want to do will not help you.

Re: I freaked out :(

kengillard — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:00:15 GMT

All good advice Lobs. you poor thing I've had a few panic attacks and they're not nice at all.

Re: I freaked out :(

lobs211 — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:05:09 GMT

Yeah Gill, makes sense these women, just not taking into account I dont think I can do it LOL

Easier to take off - ha ha

Nah, I listenin, Im thinking, thanks peeps 🙂

Re: I freaked out :(

grandmoon — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:18:41 GMT

Remember that you are no longer 10 but an adult the same size as the Nun.

So if she tries to flog you you can flog her back.

Re: I freaked out :(

azureline** — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:23:19 GMT

I can't imagine what they were thinking when they flogged children 😞 but it was fairly common at the time.

How many times have we heard and read "I copped floggings, didn't do me any harm"

I was never slapped or flogged by anyone but my younger brother was beaten around the legs with a ruler at 4 1/2 yrs old. Only once.

Re: I freaked out :(

danger.will.robinson — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:24:32 GMT

I agree with the others. See if you can meet her informally in a coffee shop or something.

Explain that you have a deep seated horror of Nuns and could she please attend the function dressed in a skunk onesie or a Ronald Mcdonald clown suit.

Re: I freaked out :(

lobs211 — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 00:27:08 GMT

Ha ha yep that sounds like a plan 🙂

Re: I freaked out :(

**meep** — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 01:58:07 GMT

Is it a Josephite nun that you have to meet with? My advice would be to try to stay focused on the good things they are doing for the community so next time you have to meet, you will stay focused on the hopefully positive experience you had. Its a bit like exposure therapy, the more you are exposed to things you are afraid of and realise they cannot harm you, the easier it is going to get.

Is it the habit that is freaking you out? I didn't think many nuns wore them these days.

Re: I freaked out :(

imastawka — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 02:26:06 GMT

meep wrote:

Is it the habit that is freaking you out? I didn't think many nuns wore them these days

I didn't think any wore them these days.

Re: I freaked out :(

lobs211 — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 02:41:38 GMT

She had normal clothes on but a scarf thing on her head, like a Muslim but not.... not covering her face, she had a skirt and top on and I kept staring at the cross on her necklace, not a black robe thing.............

I dont know what a Josephite nun is? She is from the big cathedral, I dunno what type??

I just had a freak out and I got 2 options the way I see it is to turn up next week or not................. No one can make me do anything apart from myself 🙂

Thanks

Re: I freaked out :(

**meep** — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 03:00:35 GMT

You've got it Lobs, it is not the nun you're afraid of, you are scared of freaking out. That is what stops us from facing certain situations, the fear of having a panic attack. All logic goes out the window while you're having an anxiety attack. There are things you can do to prevent it, remember, the mind is a powerful thing. Try thinking about something else, something funny. Imagine them all naked? Maybe not, you could end up in hysterics.... Your CS friends will be thinking about you. You won't be alone. Maybe listen to your fav music before, to get you in a good frame of mind. Once you get through the experience, you won't be afraid anymore.

What's the absolute worst that can happen? Having a panic attack and walking out? It happens to most of us at some stage. Either way Lobs, you will be fine.

Re: I freaked out :(

kyliecrv — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 04:15:25 GMT

No advice... just ♥

Re: I freaked out :(

cherry*135 — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 04:23:28 GMT

danger: I agree with the others. See if you can meet her informally in a coffee shop or something.

Would you consider doing that? You could get someone else to approach her first and explain how you feel and why you want to meet her informally before the panel.

Re: I freaked out :(

the_great_she_elephant — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 04:26:38 GMT

No one can make me do anything apart from myself

You've hit the nail on the head, Lobs. No-one can make you do it. It's something you will decide for yourself - and whatever you decide will be right for you.

I suspect though that in the end you will go. You are an amazingly strong person. I seem to remember a similar situation - I think it was when your aunt was in hospital - and you you were freking out and didn't think you'd be able to go and visit her; but of course in the end you did.

Re: I freaked out :(

debra9275 — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 04:33:13 GMT

Hi Lobs

sometimes those sort of nightmarish things just stay with you, no matter how long ago they were. I think you should talk to the nun about your past experiences when you find the right moment & when you're ready to do it.