Hi everyone,
Well the title above is kind of the gist of what this post will be about. I am starting my fourth season as master swimmer and am a bit sad about my attitude and feelings towards swimming competitions. I get very nervous before competitions. Vomiting or gagging frequently accompany me on days where I have competitions. I have been doing competitions now for the past two years and unfortunatly I don't feel as if it is getting any better. I understand that some nervouseness is normal, and in fact functional, but my anxiety feels like it is far from it. It is struggle to actually go to the competition and by the time I get there, I already feel mentally tired. I swim, but I don't feel like I can really give my all.
I have tried getting myself to enjoy competitions but lately I have started playing with the idea that maybe these competitions are simply not worth it for me. And that is fine.
Can anyone relate?
QuitarQueen
I didn't gag or vomit, but my anxiety leading up to the meet and during the meet was pretty wild. I had to register for the meets last minute because my anxiety starts right after I register. I don't sleep and eventually starts affecting my work. During the meets, I would be so nervous that I won't talk to anyone. I just freeze. I get on the blocks with shaky legs. I think relays make it worse, knowing that if I mess up, I affect everybody else. Last year, I couldn't go to any meets because I broke my foot and I had to work on weekends. I felt so free. I've already decided that I won't be attending any meets this year, just because I really don't want to deal with my anxiety.
I didn't gag or vomit, but my anxiety leading up to the meet and during the meet was pretty wild. I had to register for the meets last minute because my anxiety starts right after I register. I don't sleep and eventually starts affecting my work. During the meets, I would be so nervous that I won't talk to anyone. I just freeze. I get on the blocks with shaky legs. I think relays make it worse, knowing that if I mess up, I affect everybody else. Last year, I couldn't go to any meets because I broke my foot and I had to work on weekends. I felt so free. I've already decided that I won't be attending any meets this year, just because I really don't want to deal with my anxiety.
