Photo: Green and Red Pinecone, from UnSplash
Well hello friends! 🌿
And hello December. I say this every year, but this year has flown.
If you're new in this space, know that you are very welcome. This letter is where, on the first Sunday of every month, we bring you our thoughts on what we're working on right now in terms of our own worry and anxiety. It's also where we share our plans and progress with our WorryTree app and other tools. And it's where we'll share any helpful resources that we've come across recently that we think might help you too.
I sat down this evening to write to you about social anxiety. For many of us this is a time of year where the social requirements ramp up, and if we're not highly social people, and/or we have social anxiety, it can feel a bit like we don't meet society's expectations of how we should be behaving and feeling.
There is no doubt that the festive season can add even more pressure to our lives, whether that's through socialising more than normal, multiple family events, managing expectations, travel, eating all the festive food, young families and more. It's a lot. And so below we've shared some resources that we've found helpful in managing anxiety that's particularly related to this most wonderful time of year.
I also wanted to acknowledge that for some of us, the fact that the festive season is upon us isn't even on our radar. Whether you're going through something really difficult right now, or if like me you're finding yourself in an unexpected mental health dip, know that it's absolutely okay. If the world around you is all sparkle and you're just not feeling it right now, it's absolutely okay. I know that when I find myself unexpectedly in an anxiety spiral, I tend to add a whole layer of shame-icing on top because I shouldn't feel this way any more. I have all the tools and techniques to not feel this way, and yet still, sometimes, I do. And that's okay. Especially when we recognise it, and view it as a signal that something's up and it's time to get curious about what that might be.
One of my favourite things in my toolbox when I'm feeling anxious are the sensory practices that the wonderful Sally Hardie recorded for WorryTree. Sally has been a huge influence on my anxiety journey and last year I was a part of her brilliant Sovereign Safety Masterclass. Sally is offering you access to her new programme teaching inner safety at only £66 if you join before December 15th and in return provide some feedback on the programme along the way. I've been through this programme and can personally recommended it with a full heart. If you're interested you can find out more here.
So, as we head into December and all that it brings, what's the one tool in your toolkit that might help you if it all gets a bit too overwhelming? Reply and let me know. 🌲
xx
PS, if you know someone who would find this helpful, please share this email with them too, I know I'd appreciate the thought from a friend. 🙏
Behind the scenes at WorryTree
Photo: Image of our WorryTree app, January 2024
Let's talk about what's new at WorryTree and what we're working on next:
WorryTree Version 3.0.12: We're busy working on the next release of WorryTree which we're aiming to get out to you before Christmas! Some of this release will be tidying things up again in the background like making some changes to the Spanish language version of WorryTree, but most excitingly we're creating a new section especially for those of you who have WorryTree Plus!
WorryTree Plus Exclusive Content: We're really excited to be adding a new section to WorryTree which will include exclusive content for our WorryTree Plus community! This will include monthly check-ins from Louise, our Founder, talking about her personal experiences with worry and anxiety and what she's working on at the moment. We're also planning to add short videos and audio talking to experts about different aspects of worry management, like sleep, and we'll be adding this extra content as we go along. If there's something in particular you'd like to see, let us know!
30 Days to Stop Worrying: We are super excited that our 30 day interactive course, delivered by whatsapp (or SMS for our US community) is ready for testing! We're offering ten people the opportunity to test this new programme for at least 75% off the price it will finally be on sale for (only $10!). All we ask for is some constructive feedback on how we can make it better as you go along. Reply to this email with the word TEST if you'd like to get involved and we'll send the first ten responders a unique link.
We're committed to helping you feel more calm and in control of your overthinking, by using effective tools that you can practice anywhere, because we believe that worrying gets in the way of you making the most of this one, precious life.
If you have any questions or ideas, please get in touch by replying to this email.
HELPFUL THINGS JUST FOR YOU
Photo: Person holding tall grass, from UnSplash
Here’s a few practices, podcasts, blog posts and videos that we’re finding helpful:
Join our brand new 30-day programme for gentle daily prompts delivered by SMS or Whatsapp to your phone every morning: click here.
Read this 5 minute read - it’s all about social anxiety self-help strategies for the holiday season.
Listen to this podcast episode about creating a holiday season filled with joy, peace and self care - how are you going to make sure that this festive period brings you happiness?
Watch this TED Talk about coping with holiday anxiety and stress.
Take a moment of calm in the chaos, with one of our Sensory Practices
In the news…A family anxiety specialist shares 12 tips for getting through the festive period
Ready to download WorryTree?
If you haven’t already tried WorryTree (and the basic worry tree technique tool is free for everyone to use as many times as you need) then you’ll find the links below.
Remember…
If you're struggling at the moment, then know that asking for help is a sign of strength not of weakness. Contact someone you can trust like your Doctor, a friend or a relative, or text SHOUT to 85258 (UK) to start a conversation with a crisis support volunteer.