Today marks the end of a remarkable personal journey for me, your humble anxiety blog writer. I’ve been coming to the conclusion for the last few months that this blog was reaching the end of its natural lifespan, and I finally surrendered to this truth this week.
I began this blog way back on January 11, 2010 – over 6-1/2 years ago. In that time period I posted 258 blog posts, with only a handful being “reprints” – which is a LOT of writing. 🙂 I had two simple goals when I started writing here: to articulate a basic model of how anxiety works, something clean, simple and possible for anyone to get their arms around, and clarify a simple toolbox to deal with that fearful thinking.
I’ve written everything I have to say (for the most part) about this subject, and I’ve been threatening to finish a book on this subject for almost the entire tenure of this blog. The book has been a work in progress that entire time, and it’s time that I concentrate on finishing and publishing that book. I’ve promised here at least three times that the book was “coming soon” – my apologies for the delays, and I promise that the work gets done before 2016 draws to a close.
I’ve learned a lot in these last 6-1/2 years. I’ve learned that there are some wonderful people in the world, and I’m grateful for all of them – all of you that have followed this blog. Thanks for your support – and believe me, every time you clicked through to my blog you were offering real support.
I’ve learned, again, that the best thinking comes when you allow your ideas/thoughts/mental frameworks to be challenged, questioned and examined by other thoughtful people. (Every one of your questions, comments and critiques, both here at the blog and privately to me in email, have been hugely supportive and helpful. Thank you!)
I will of course leave the blog up here while I’m finishing the book, and probably for a little while after that. I will gladly still answer questions you post here or send by email –
Again, thank you all – I can’t say thank you enough. Every blessing and encouragement to you as you continue your own journey!
Fearmastery Blog 
18 comments
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July 23, 2016 at 9:12 am
Candy
I wish you great success with your future journeys. I have not cured my anxiety or fear. I have seen some improvement followed by further decline. I now believe that stress is playing a big role in the causes for me. It is taking out the rest of my health. I found you a long time ago and drift in and out of reading your blog. But I have determined that I need more ‘hand holding, love, compassion etc” than I will get in this life. With those things I think you have a fighting chance. So good luck with the book. I hope you never have to experience those old levels of anxiety and fear again.
July 24, 2016 at 11:11 am
Erik Kieser
Candy:
Thank you for your note. Stress is another word for anxiety, most of the time. And I’m curious what you mean by hand-holding, compassion, love, etc.” in terms of overcoming anxiety – if you have time to elaborate.
And – I never will experience those old levels of anxiety and fear again – I can’t. I understand why it happens and what to do about it. As can anyone.
Erik
August 2, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Candy
My reply seems to not have made it or it was removed. I just meant that I believe that you have to have support and love in your life to get past the things that have caused the anxiety to take hold. Without those things some people are just too weak and beaten to get them selves out. If work begins soon enough they are probably strong enough. I know that sounds negative but I don’t know how else to word it in a short note. I also think there might be a connection to ‘what’ caused or lead to the anxiety. Oh well. I really wish you the best and will be looking for that book.
August 4, 2016 at 7:00 am
Erik Kieser
Candy! Don’t know what happened to your first post effort here. I think – in response to your note – that yes, support is damn helpful, and certainly something that we should seek out as much as possible. I would also argue, however, that when you or any or us think to ourselves we’re too weak or too beaten down we’re actually saying, in code, “what if I’m too beaten? What if I’m too weak?” I argue this because weak and beaten, in this context, are thoughts – assumptions – beliefs that we can generate or pick up from other people.
One thing I’m very, very clear about is that we are all, every one of us, much stronger, much more capable than we believe. As a guy that fought chronic anxiety for two decades and who believed exactly this – that I was too weak, that I couldn’t do this alone or without more support, etc – but then found out that in fact not only was I strong enough, I demonstrated it to myself (all the while telling myself how weak I was) I know that we are usually not clear on our own power.
I am NOT telling you that you shouldn’t FEEL what you feel. I’m saying your feelings are based on less-than-accurate thinking. Something else: what we’ve been unable to do in the past is NOT, at all, proof of what we can’t do in the future.
Happy to discuss this more with you, should you desire that. Hit me here or at my email – erik.kieser@yahoo.com
July 23, 2016 at 4:18 pm
mom7more
So happy for you!! You have helped me very much. I have sent your link to many friends and acquaintances and even strangers. Thank you for leaving your blog up..I have come back to it many times in the past. I’m looking forward to buying and reading your book.
Big hugs!
Natalie
July 24, 2016 at 11:12 am
Erik Kieser
Ms. Natalie:
Thank you for this note – and you were going to chase me down around now, is that right? Still standing by to help when you’re ready.
Erik
July 23, 2016 at 6:07 pm
Cheryl
Wishing you all the best. It has been a wonderfully enlightening adventure. Thank you.
July 24, 2016 at 11:14 am
Erik Kieser
Thank you Cheryl – really appreciate your note here.
July 23, 2016 at 7:16 pm
Patti
I hate seeing the blog end, but totally understand. You’ve done what you set out to do – inform, provide tools, give amazing support year after year and it’s time for you to condense it all into this book that so many of us look forward to. There are no words to express the gratitude so many of us have for what you do and have done for us. Mission accomplished. Now get that book out!! 🙂
July 24, 2016 at 11:13 am
Erik Kieser
Thank you Ms. Patti – you’ve been a big help to me and my refining my thinking. I’m on it –
Erik
July 24, 2016 at 10:53 pm
Minna
Thank you so much from provoding this genious blog! It certainly made a difference to me.
July 25, 2016 at 5:10 am
Erik Kieser
Ms. Minna!
Thank you for this great note at the blog this morning – really appreciate you making the time to say something!
Erik
July 25, 2016 at 12:29 am
Julie stanford
Thank you for your wonderful blog and all the help you have given , best wishes to you and good luck with your book and the future 😀
July 25, 2016 at 5:11 am
Erik Kieser
Julie!
Thank you loads for this comment this morning – and best wishes to you as well!
Erik
July 28, 2016 at 6:22 am
Andre
Great job Erik. I myself benefited greatly from your blog. And I understand what you mean by “it can’t happen again”. While anxiety still exists in my life, it is not the prominent component to it anymore. It can’t be, because I understand it too well now. I have you to thank for this. And countless others that I have referred to this blog.
Reserve me a copy of the book. And if you’re ever in Canada, the cookies are on me.
August 2, 2016 at 4:28 am
Erik Kieser
Mr. Andre! Thanks for these gracious, kind comments. 🙂 And thanks for all the referrals as well. I promise I’ll alert you to the book, and I’ll look forward to those cookies…
Erik
July 28, 2016 at 7:16 am
alliepat
Blessings to you Erik. Thank you for sharing this blog.
July 28, 2016 at 9:28 pm
Erik Kieser
Thank you dear lady!