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For the Love of Blog: WordPress Friends Never Leave You

I’ve had a number of revelations recently regarding blogging. After years of struggling to find what it’s all about and being blocked by the Great Firewall at every turn, things have accelerated like Road Runner after downing a super-sized coke in one go. Meep Meep!

Friends & Community

  • I love people visiting my website. It’s like the landline ringing or someone knocking on your door stopping by for a chat and a cup of tea.
  • I love visiting other people’s sites. Each place I go to has its own unique feel about it. It’s easy to appreciate the time and love that someone goes into creating their own site; the tinkering and readjusting until its right. I can now understand the time and effort that goes into a single post; the detail.
  • Blogging allows you to express yourself like no other medium. I have WP ‘Community’ and RSS lists. Together they contain the widest range of interests and talent you can imagine. Who said it was important to have a target audience? Poppycock! Ha! There are poets, writers, photographers, cat lovers, musicians, model makers, artists, psychic and paranormal investigators, travellers and people who describe what’s just outside their back door from places I’ve never heard of on that list. There are people that pour their heart out in a manner that allows us to at least absorb a part of what they are feeling in that moment. I can only stand back with admiration of people’s work. Unbelievable!
  • I am also surprised at how positive and friendly everyone is. There are no egos floating around. People like your post because they genuinely do. It sounds a strange thing to say but compare it to a like on Facebook and they’re light-years apart.
  • Followers never leave you, well rarely. If you’re not around they wait. For me I even wonder where people are if they haven’t posted for a while. I had to walk away from Justurnleft for months not so long back and when I returned I had virtually the same number of followers as before. 
  • I’ve experienced a kindness as well. People are genuinely helpful, sharing links, re-blogging and offering advice. Recently I discovered that the slider on my Bromley theme changed images way too fast. I went onto the WP support and posted a request for advice only to be answered by the creator of the theme himself Binarymoon. Incredibly, he went to his desk and changed the speed of the whole theme. If you’re using Bromley and the slider has slowed down it’s my fault. Sorry!
  • The biggest kindness rush I’ve had though has to be undoubtedly the help that Jason AKA Opinionated Man has given me and other indie authors. I mean help and trust mixed together in the same tikka masala of the highest order. I must say that such selflessness doesn’t come about very often.

Myself

  • It allows me to write lists with bullet points and not worry about repeating myself, breaking the cardinal rule of all book writing. Ha!
  • I love the excitement of hitting the publish tab when you’ve finished a new post, to sit back with satisfaction and see it on your site and how different it now looks.
  • My blog is my own little world I go to like a second home. It kinda reminds me of my Dad’s garden shed. Filled with various tools and paraphernalia, he would be out there in the back garden for hours absorbed by his model building
  • I’ve always suffered with anxiety problems. I had a huge spike last week which rendered me useless for twenty four hours, phew! I don’t get that here among my online friends. I’m free from any such burden and it’s such a relief.
  • I’m inspired to go out and research. That’s an awesome one in itself.

If you like my post, I’ll drop by and check yours out as well. If I like it, it  means I really do!

If you follow I’ll follow back. If you go away I’ll wait for you and wonder where you went.

If you follow don’t forget to add me to your Twitter and say hi. I always looks to see what my WP friends have been up to on Twitter and often RT. I’m @AndySmart01.

See you there and happy blogging!

Ha!

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155 replies ›

  2. Yes, I feel just as you do! I was so surprised to become a part of such a creative, interesting, supportive community of people here in blogdom. I never in a million years expected such kindness and generosity
    . Blogging friends from all over he world have become an important part of my life. I feel blessed with my wonderful blogging friends, like you Andy. Be well my friend~

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    • Nice one Cindy. It is amazing isn’t it. I also noticed that whoever created WP did it with a sense of community in mind. Things you can do with your widgets and reader to make sure you watch out for a friends post. Its amazing! Yeeeeey

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  3. I agree with everything You wrote. One thing I also noticed is in fact that the community on WP is so friendly and kind. Never seen that on any other social media places. I do feel this thrill whenever someone leaves a comment and engages in a chat ☺

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    • Yes right! You dont get this anywhere else. I mean on Twitter they’ve even created sites so you can find out who unfollowed you ha ha. No chance of that here. Yes > great when someone drops by, like shall I put the kettle on then? ha ha

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  4. What a wonderful post! You echo my thoughts about the blogosphere perfectly. WordPress has been apart of my life for 8 years. I have blogged, given up blogging, got back into blogging, etc, etc but one thing has been constant – my blogging friends. I love the WordPress community. 🙂

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  5. Andy, we are actually having a conversation on my blog right now as I jump to your blog to comment on this wonderful post. It says just how I feel about the people I’ve come to know here in the past year. I really did not want to blog because of my abysmal technical skills but the community has been there for me at every turn and helped me through all my mistakes. I was sorry to hear about the “moment” of anxst last week, and am so glad you took a break and then returned. I think anxiety is part of the whole writing process and it’s good to have people you can depend on to be there missing you and patiently waiting for your next post. No matter how long that takes. I look forward to getting your book and learning more about the country you live in along with my friends, Shengdong, Mary and Milanda. Clare

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    • My anxiety is a nightmare and something I’ve always suffered with. Being here is one place it doesn’t creep into. I’ve also found so many other people with worse problems than me and although I can get a glimpse into their world, I’ll never fully appreciate what they go through. It also teaches me how lucky I am. I got someone’s name wrong today after they came to my post for the first time and they weren’t angry at all, rather the opposite. This place is filled with good folk!

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      • People like you who spend a lot of time in conversations get to make mistakes now and then. I’ve been typing a lot faster and have to train myself to check what I’ve written because Spell check sometimes fixes something that just didn’t need fixin’
        And yes, like attracts like and this place is filled with good folk.

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      • I meant our conversation. You were the only guest at the party. I kept bouncing from chatting with you – to your site- then to OM- then back here. I’m back here and shouldn’t wander off again. It’s 1:16 in the morning (afternoon for you) and no one else seems to be awake!

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      • Ha ha > yes > first day off in 12 days for me. I’m working on my other poor neglected site at the moment though I have plenty of reserve posts sitting as a draft. OM’s amazing!

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      • Although he had followed me a ways back, and I had reciprocated, I never spent much time on his blog. I went back to it today when you mentioned how supportive he was of you. And he really does help other people and give good advice. You are smart to have posts in reserve. I just go by the seat of my pants. I never know what I’ll be writing about until the weekend rolls around and I decide what I’d like to talk about and sit down and type. I do like to add in photos, though and that can take someone like me a bit of time. 12 days straight???!!! I think a cat nap is in order.

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  6. Pingback: Nomination for Liebster Award – Close to you

  7. dear Andy, You just visited my blog somewhere between the hours of yesterday and today…I always try to return the visit and am always glad that I do! What you say about WordPress is absolutely true! Such kind and supportive people–generosity abounds! I have made friendships through WordPress that would never had been possible otherwise. I am looking forward to exploring your blog further. When I was at Marquette as a student a thousand memories ago, I had friends from China and Taiwan. I do not know if I ever will get to China, but I am live in hope! I admire your adventurous spirit. What a fulfilling life you have…onward to reading more of you now! Thank you again for your visit and your “like!” Blessings to you and your family!

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    • Hi there Jane. Thank you so much for your wonderful message. Yes it was something I just had to write. I always thought that the internet was a negative and dangerous place but actually, well at least on WP it doesnt seem to be like that at all. There are some amazing people around here that’s for sure. Actually Beijing is not as adventurous as it sounds but I do hope to get away and do a few months of travelling into the unknown sometime this year. Its a lot easier to get to China than you think btw 🙂 Have an awesome weekend Jane 🙂

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  8. Hi Andy! I love your place here. I agree about WordPress. I think blogging has really enhanced my creativity by allowing me to step onto a stage without the stage fright of looking into a thousand faces at once. And yes, people are very helpful and generous. I really wish you had an email share tab. It is the best way to have my son read a post. But I did share with him on Facebook. Again, I love your writing style and descriptions. Brings me right where you are without being dry or just informational.

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  9. Thanks! I have four sons and they all have experienced anxiety (not unlime their Mom) so they will identify with your words. I even have an “adopted” son (really a younger great friend) who has these same issues. All of them would appreciate your honesty and humor. I will share your blog with them.

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    • Cheers Dweezer > In China my anxiety levels are much lower but I still get a spike every 2 or three weeks for about 24hrs. The annoying thing is I know there’s nothing to be anxious about. Actually there never is AAAAAAGH! If your sons have any tips then please send them this way and thanks for sharing 🙂

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  14. I couldn’t agree more about WordPress and blogging. I knew you’d soon have a great following with all the followers you already have on Twitter and so on. I’m sure you’ll continue to love it. 🙂

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    • I am not sure about having a great following meaning numbers but the people like your good self that come by mean the world to me. Twitter’s an interesting animal though. Leave it for a couple of days and watch the masses unfollow you. LOL

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      • Really? Oh dear, I’ve barely got any followers yet, so I don’t want to lose too many. By leaving it a couple of days, do you mean not posting, or not visiting people? Either way, I don’t think my following’s likely to go up too fast. 😀

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      • On Twitter people dump you at the drop of a hat if you aren’t active. Here on WP you can go on vacation and you will have exactly the same number of followers as when you went away, bless!

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  15. Fantastic post!
    I’ve no idea how you found my blog but I’m so glad you did because I am thoroughly enjoying reading yours! You have an incredibly rich site and such an easy, engaging writing style.
    I saw on your bio you’re from the UK. What part? I lived in North Yorkshire for two years and loved it!
    Have a great evening!

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    • Hiya Holly > Nice of you to drop by and really glad your enjoying my blog as much as I did yours. I’m from Bristol and Gloucester but I did have a great friend up in Grewlthorpe (I am sure that’s spelt wrong ha ha). Hey let’s keep in touch. I’ll RSS you at the bottom of my page. It seems a bot crazy but it means I can keep an eye on blogs that I regularly drop by. In fact you can say hi to any of the people RSSd and they will all say hi and no doubt follow. 🙂

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  18. Isn’t it just great Andy that people we never met can reach out and fulfill a need to be understood?! Thats what blogging has been for me, hiding from the people who know me and just being in a space I can be myself. Makes sense? I like your article very much. Will read on from here.

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    • Thanks Singledust. Too right! After being on the internet here there and everywhere for years WP is actually a recent discovery. I mean I started in 2012 but never really got my head around it. Its like a revelation to me. The bottom half of my page is now dedicated to my best pals > who would have thought it. I’m actually excited for people who I’ve never met before. My friends Steve and Ev from the Sates have just retired and bought their dream RV and have just hit the road. I’m so happy for them. Cheers once again Singledust 🙂

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      • I am a newborn babe…my eldest child introduced me to WP as part of a healing process….it’s been great so far…I could totally understand and agree with your point in your post. I too feel so connected with a lovely lady up in North America feels like we we’re sisters in another life. I hope you will continue to post, your writing is honest and fresh. Beautiful weekend to you too.

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      • Thank you so much for saying that Singledust. If you are ever looking for some great friends then go down to my RSS and say hello to Ev and Steve who have the RV. They’re awesome. Glad to have met you and please keep in touch:)

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  20. Hi Andy! I can’t believe you gave a shout out to Steve and I!! I feel so special and although it has only been very recent that we “found” each other, I KNOW without a doubt you are a one in million person with a huge heart.
    I didn’t realize WP even had a community until I took the Blogging 101 class a few months ago and just like the others here have noted, everyone is so supportive and polite.
    But I have to tell you, that although I have blogged for about six years now, I have deleted my blog a couple of times, changed it’s name 3 or 4 times, made it private, made it public and all because I didn’t want followers because my lack of writing skills embarrasses me. It is a struggle. I have so much to say but just can’t find the words.
    I didn’t know about your anxiety. My daughter has it too along with panic attacks and she has suffered terribly with it. The only thing that helps her during an attack is to call me so that I can distract her with conversation that is not related to how she is feeling. Does talking help you too?

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    • Hiya Ev. Of course I’m going to give you a shout. That’s what you do right? Sometimes you meet someone and the thought just pops into your head, “Hey, they would really get on well with so and so”

      I would never have thought you had any lack of writing skills. Anyway, it’s the content that is important. Please dont delete this one. Your my No1 RV coolasyoulike road-trippers!!!!!

      Anxiety sucks. When does she get her attacks? Mine is a social thing

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      • Her attacks come out of the blue. No rhyme or reason to them. Occasionally she will get a panic attack driving and have to pull over. Socially, she shines and can be the center of attention without trying so that type of situation doesn’t trigger anxiety. She says she has anxiety all of the time but it’s the panic attacks that are incapacitating to where she feels like she might have a heart attack.
        Do you think people have always had anxiety and panic attacks? I had never heard of it until the last 10 years.
        I get very panicky when Steve is driving – to the point of breaking out in a clammy sweat. He is a terrible driver and scares the every loving h_ _ _ out of me. Knowing what just my small attacks feel like, I cannot begin to imagine what you and others go through regularly.

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      • Its funny how it goes. I was until about ten years ago well into my social scene, always thinking of ideas and things to do with my friends. Throughout the whole time I suffered from anxiety though since I was 6 actually. In the end I guess I just got bored with fighting it. I do plan on having another go at it. I stopped smoking in 2006 with the click of my fingers. I plan on doing the same with anxiety. What are the triggers for your daughters panic attacks then?

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  21. Freedom with friendships that never leave you feeling alone. Great post Andy. I love to read posts also. I hate it every time I delete another persons post because I just can’t read everyone. Recently, I had over 4,000 saved to “get back too.” Finally, I realized there wasn’t enough hours in the day to read them plus the multitude that kept pouring in. Ugh! I deleted them. I still wonder what I missed.
    fiddledeedeebooks.wordpress.com

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  23. Agreed! I barely updated my blog for half year and my followers are still there. And I remember actually meeting one of my followers during my trip to the West Canada, and she is so awesome and down to earth, and that I wish to meet my rest of my followers.

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    • No there’s a thought. I’ve always assumed the general attitude to meeting anyone from the internet would be a negative one > like it’s not safe or something > but actually now I think about it there are loads of people here that would be amazing to meet. Nice one Julie 🙂

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      • Thanks, It depends who we are meeting from the internet. I have no interested to meet someone randomly from some random websites (like March.com) because most cases are negative as you mentioned but wordpress and blogging can be an exception.

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    • Hiya Bec > Thanks for dropping by and reading. Did you check out the vid link at the bottom. Moving stuff that’s fror sure. Actually I’m surrounded by single 30something women (well not right now) in the office, in class and when I’m out (you can tell as they are normally accompanied by their parents). It must be a terrible life living unmarried in a culture where its so important. BTW: my posts arent always doom and gloom honest. I try to give a balance between fact and seeing the bright side. Thanks for following Bec. Got you on down on my reader list. Have a brilliant Sunday mate

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      • Oh I don’t think you are all doom and gloom, in fact I had just come from lidl, felt frustrated, car park full, due to building work taking most of the spaces, only three checkouts open, with queuing stretched for what felt like eternity. Anyhow, home and cuppa tea, and opened the iPad, I had left your page open, so I remembered to have a read when I got home from the horses, well I did laugh, what was I moaning about our lil lidl for, when you can’t even move in your supermarket ( does sound like you get great choice though, if you can get to the stuff). I will check you out more! 😉

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      • Lidl rocks though I was mostly an ASDA man. David Cameron went there once didnt you know ha ha. Do you do the horses? I do the footie on Coral from afar. Glad you like my space – will deffo be checking your gaff out 🙂

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      • Lol, riding the horses, ha ha…..had a lovely ride out on the forest, despite the wind, and first foal seen, so summer has arrived to the new forest as far as I am concerned. I actually did lidl and tesco today, wool woop, what a weekend, the thrills! We don’t have an asda close enough, and I don’t care for driving too far for shopping.

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      • Now that does sound like a most excellent thing to be doing on a Saturday, the horse riding I mean ha ha. I did some riding out in Mongolia but as I had no experience it was utterly ball busting. Lidl + Tescos? Are you out of your mind? lol

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      • Mongolia, wow what a fantastic area with great views, shame you were probably concentrating more on the pain at that moment? I have the vision, and I’m sorry I giggled a bit….it took me back to the years before suing and health and safety, and the many rides we used to take out around the new forest….ponies charging off in all directions, holiday makers with sores they never knew they could get….and kids having the best times of their life, he he, thanks for the reminder.

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    • Thanks PR – Nice of you to drop by and having a nose around my space. Well if someone isnt around for a while I do notice they’re not around. My mates Ev and Steve for example. They’ve just thrown in the towel and spent everything they own on an RV https://wanderlets.com/ > Check em out. They’re so nice 🙂 Take care and be lucky 🙂

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  30. It is a fantastic adventure or journey accompanied by some wonderful and mostly like-minded but for sure inspiring bloggers from everywhere. Inspiring for sure and I couldn’t agree more with your list above. I came over from Danny’s (Dream Big, Dream Often) featured blogger. Glad I did! Hi there!

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  34. Hey 🙂
    Thank you for following me! 😀
    I also really like your blog and this article is so cool! In so many statements I find myself. To me wordpress is also something like a second home, where I can reflect on what’s going on in my life and just calm down a bit. 🙂
    Yours, littlegreenraven

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    • Hiya LGR > Thanks for following back. Yes WP is amazing and there are some amazing people around. My mates are all RSSd on the bottom part of my page if you fancy meeting some really cool people. They’re there because they are so chatty and interesting. Check out Ev and Steve// also ClareMary 🙂 Take care and see you soon 🙂

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  38. What a wonderfully inspiring post, Andy. You are so right about the support of others within the WordPress community., I’m now following your blog and looking forward to more of your posts!

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  39. Just when I’m contemplating cutting back/out on blogging, I read this and am encouraged to maybe hang on a little longer 🙂 Thanks for your visit and follow.

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    • Hiya Julia > You know I really thought I was already following you as I have your RSS at the bottom of my page lol. Well blogging does have a habit of bringing you up and then right back down again. Whatever, I’m just glad to be able to turn to my little piece of cyber space when I want. Always keep your blog alive. You’d regret it if you didnt 🙂

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  40. Thanks. I’m brewing up to a post – perhaps I’ll get on with it in the next few days now.
    PS I have no idea what RSS is. It’s a wonder I ever manage to do anything that involves the internet …

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    • You cant make yourself do posts otherwise it isnt fun. They just happen when they happen and when they come out do them good! ha! RSS took me a while to figure out. I think it means Real Simple System or something like that > you just copy and past the website of someone you want to follow into the RSS widget and whenver they do a post it comes up on your front page. Its like a really easy way to see new posts and you can add people’s first names as well. Check out the bottom of my front page and you’ll see.

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  44. What a delightfully positive perspective! And best of all, it’s so true! I was just thinking about how supportive the WP community is. I love what you wrote here: “Who said it was important to have a target audience? Poppycock! Ha!”Thanks for following me. I look forward to reading more of your posts!

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    • Hiya Joanna > Glad you liked the post. I used to think that ‘travellers’ would be my target audience but it turned out that most of my readers arent on the road at all. WP rocks. I havent been here much lately but no one has unfollowed me at all. Love this space. A pleasure to follow and have a great week Joanna.

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  48. A great post Andy – You’re right and I agree – I started out thinking I should be ‘specialist’ but very quickly decided that was a bad idea – I much prefer just blogging as I feel it on the day… I love your site – it opens up a whole new World.
    With the ‘anxiety’ – I came across a fabulous technique that almost seems too good to be true but is proven scientifically to alter how the brain works. It’s called the ‘Havening’ technique – very simple to do with some instruction and breaks the ’emotional’ link. Paul McKenna has a book and download that you can buy and I can recommend which includes walking you through the Havening technique. Here’s a youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C1liEFCZm4
    xx

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    • Wow Wendy > Im on it right now. I’ve kinda tried everything in the book to be honest and I’ll give anything a go. Fingers crossed and I’ll keep you posted. Your awesome!!!!!! Tx for what you said about my blog 🙂 Even more awesome!

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      • You’re very welcome Andy. I became a hypnotherapist myself following treatment for ‘panic attacks’ and have studied lots of techniques over the years – this Havening technique worked brilliantly for me last year when I was going through some intense stress at work last year.. I hope it helps! x

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      • Thank you so much Wendy. I’ve always suffered badly from panic attacks but in the past few years they’ve started holding me back big time. I went to England and my anxiety tore me to shreds > I am going to put it in my next book > Here’s a snippet for you mate > If stress and worry could have been a recipe then this surely was my new signature dish. Let’s call it Provencal Cassoulet au Insomnie with Crème de Misère (or Crème Miserable). A simple dish for one with reversed culture shock marinated in lifelong anxiety and then blended with post separation disorder. Remove from blender and put into a pot adding bill payments diced into one inch pieces with no seasoning and anything flavourful. Boil continuously for an hour and then drain out any excess residual thoughts or hopes of saving money. You’re in the UK after all sucker! Place in a casserole dish adding the remaining anxiety and an ample helping of bad luck sprinkled over the top. Bake until unsatisfactory.

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      • Truly rotten – I’ve been there and it can be really debilitating. The problem is that it really can take over your life and it is possible to get it under control. I’ve helped people who had lost all confidence and wouldn’t go out of the house as a result and with combination of hypnotherapy and other NLP techniques etc. and for myself these have really worked too. ‘Havening’ was the only thing though that pulled me up again last year.. Have you ever tried hypnotherapy as well? You just need a new recipe and then you’ll be serving up the Crème Brule instead! x

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      • I did try hypnotherapy but I have n confidence in visualisation which is what it was all about. I went to 3 hypnotherapists who all did visualisation. I just think I’m going to attack it full on like quitting smoking next time I go back to the UK. Thanks for your positive vibes Wendy 🙂

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      • You don’t need visualisation- you need to learn the breathing techniques – self hypnosis and some NLP triggers to trigger a different emotion when you feel the panic attack starting… Don’t give up you’ll get there and sometimes the ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’ response is also what you need to do – push the boundaries.. Good luck – but definitely try the havening technique.. x

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  49. The best post ever! I agree with it all. Blogging has been a wonderful experience for me. Reading others blogs and learning and having fun along the way…Great, great post! Awesome of you to share it. Have a fabulous weekend! Cheers, Koko 🙂

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    • Hiya Koko > Glad you liked it. Yes I always thought the internet was quite a negative place what with a lot of the comments you read below news articles etc but it on WP it turned out to be just the opposite. Its a lovely place to be. Yes yes > have a brilliant weekend back to you 🙂

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