Published on 12, July, 2020
I was feeling brave the other day so I decided to push the boat and when the postman knocked on the door I answered it. I didn’t want to who does?
It’s a stranger at the door
In seconds my brain had created loads of negative scenariosWhat if the postman is ill and I get ill?What if I he comments on me?What if I faint?What if he starts talking and I have to commit to a conversation?
This and more was going through my head
Before I reached the door I was filled with terrible anxiety, my stomach became swollen and painful, chest hurt, heart racing and I was feeling sweaty like I had a fever
But like a crazy person I answered the door anyway
Guess I was expecting it to go well for some weird reason
it was the postman. he had a parcel and some letters. He asked the name and I said yes
And then he decided to make small talk. Nice weather isn’t it. Looking back now I’m guessing this was a humour statement as it’s clearly not nice weather
at the time I said no and then fearing he was going to say something again and I was really starting to feel ill by now I said bye and closed the door
The look he gave me as the door closed was... I don’t know not a nice look
He probably thought me an arrogant and rude woma jad he seen what took place after he wouldn’t have thought that hope not anyway
Afterwards I fell to pieces. Crying and shaking I was sick twice. And now I’m left feeling totally exhausted and my body is aching all over
My muscles are tense painful headache like someone’s squeezing my head
I went from feeling brave and confident answering the door to feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and feeling a complete failure
Confidence shattered in a heartbeat
Now in bed resting and feeling terrible online I can be so sociable feel happy calm and safe
In person I’m shy and awkward.
Times like this I feel nothing but hate towards myself
This was days ago and I'm still tired and aching. It's like a bomb goes off in me and my body has to heal again after.
I'm going to rest again now I'm super tired right now x
Autonomistic said:I'm fine with answering if I'm expecting it but anything unexpected and I'm immediately in panic mode.
I just had an unexpected knock at the door whilst reading this thread. What did I do? I didn't answer
Good lord! I'm seeing a new side to certain members today.
Autonomistic said: "This parcel is my husband's. Would you like me to bring his right arm, so he can sign for it?"
I am recounting these comments to him and he is starting to look slightly worried
Roy said:You should have said, “This parcel is my husband’s, I will fetch him, he’s in the lounge, kitchen and bedroom!”
Alternatively "This parcel is my husband's. Would you like me to bring his right arm, so he can sign for it?"
Well done this is a big step to take and what an achievement. Answering the door to a complete stranger is no easy task, I'm not sure I would've been able to do it myself.
You should be proud that you were able to do this. I'm sorry your suffered after but you should be feeling proud of yourself for actually going through with it, not listening to your negative thoughts and you kicked butt. Good job and well done.
Yeah I know lol I realised how it could read the moment I typed it but I couldn't be bothered to sit and figure out the precise grammar needed, haven't had enough tea yet this morning so I slapped a clarifier in there. XD
🐝 Bees 🐝 (they/them) Autism resources in bio #stoptheshock #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs said:I answered the door still carrying my hoover with my eardefenders on, me not the hoover, yesterday.
I love the idea of your hoover wearing ear defenders ... but thank you for the clarification
I answered the door still carrying my hoover with my eardefenders on, me not the hoover, yesterday.I actually like my post people though. They always smile at me in that genuine way that tells me "oh it's the quirky one again." GooseyGoosey to put your mind at ease in answer to your questions:"What if the postman is ill and I get ill? What if I he comments on me?What if I faint?What if he starts talking and I have to commit to a conversation?"Unless you start talking to them asking them questions (which you don't have to if you don't want to) the posties and delivery folk won't stick around any longer than they need to drop off the parcels and what-not, they are rarely at your door long enough to breathe on you let alone talk to you (they are on a tight schedule). If you worry about signing the little machine just keep some hand satitiser by the front door. "What if I faint?" That's just the anxiety talking, you've opened the door to them before without fainting, and you'll do it again without fainting.
Thank you for my 1st chuckle of the day
You should have said, “This parcel is my husband’s, I will fetch him, he’s in the lounge, kitchen and bedroom!” Alternatively,” do you know what I did to the last person who knocked at my door?”
You shouldn't feel hate, you should feel proud of yourself for doing this. It might not have gone as intended but you answered the door and proceeded to talk to someone you didn't know, that's amazing, what an achievement!
It's been a long time since I did that. I never answer the door, I hide until people have gone. You're bound to be tired but once you have recovered you should feel proud and take this in your stride.
I hope you're recovered from the meltdown.
My anxious brain can create loads of negative scenarios too, especially if it is an unexpected knock at the door. I'm fine with answering if I'm expecting it but anything unexpected and I'm immediately in panic mode. I hate it when the postman asks me to take a parcel for a neighbour, then I have to spend the rest of the day anxiously waiting for another knock on the door and another uncomfortable social interaction when the neighbour comes to collect it.
Why can't our brains come up with something useful instead of so many reasons to be anxious For example creative and amusing reasons why you can't stand at the door chatting to the postman and have to rush back to finish that incredibly important task
Seriously I'm sure he never gave the matter another thought and encounters far worse on his daily rounds. You did very well to answer, so try not to let the experience put you off doing so again.
Mister said:Should that occur I will run out in my nightee and defend you
That created a very funny image in my mind.
Thank you for your potential heroic gesture.
Fear not! Should that occur I will run out in my nightee and defend you.
Mister said:You may get carted off in a white van screaming it's not blood it's PAINT!!!
That's what I'm worried about.
You may get carted off in a white van screaming it's not blood it's PAINT!!!
If the police knock on your door take the gloves off first otherwise they might get the wrong idea.
Just had an awful thought.
The gloves have red paint on which might look like blood.
Oh dear ...
Look at the positives young Goosey. You answered the door, you actually spoke and you lived to tell the tale! Rest up and don't be too hard on yourself. This is a success and you should be proud of yourself for doing it.
Well done.
Just to bring in a bit of humour.
I just answered the door in my nightee and rubber gloves as I'm painting a dolls house.
So, then the postwoman took a photo of the parcel with me holding it and I have visions of people laughing at the photo back in the office of a madwoman with hair awry, in a nightee, holding a parcel with rubber gloves
She probably thinks I wear rubber gloves to bed
Rest well x