In His Own Words – “Developing a Can-Do Attitutude” by Nick K.
My name is Nick. I live in Pathway Homes’ Assisted Living Facility, Stevenson Place. I have been living here since the facility opened in 1999! Before Stevenson Place, I lived with my parents in Annapolis, Maryland. It was a difficult time for me, especially since I was dealing with anxiety and schizophrenia.
In the past, I experienced a number of anxiety attacks that were worrisome. When I’m anxious, I feel like the walls are caving in on me. It is my brain’s way of alerting me; however, it can be extremely exhausting. Often times, my natural response is to pace to soothe my nerves.
Thanks to Pathways, I have developed healthy coping mechanisms, such as meditation. By meditating I can focus on my breathing and what is happening around me. It is a great way to relax. I would like to start journaling because it would help me practice mindfulness. It can also help me with my memory since I tend to forget things.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I work at Wegmans as a part-time stocker. Working there for the past 18 years has been enjoyable. Sometimes, I get anxious when I have difficulty finding the products. My boss always reminds me to have a can-do attitude. This inspires me to tell myself every day, “you can do it!” Customers that come in are super friendly, which eases my concern about my performance.
I try to find other ways to spend my time outside of work. I enjoy listening to my favorite artists, such as the Cure, Billy Joel, and James Taylor. Music helps with my healing process. It makes me feel good! My friend Ken, who I met in Crisis Care, visits me often. I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings with him since we have similar perspectives.
Prior to becoming friends with him, I had never experienced talking to someone without fear or anxiety. In the future, I hope that I can be more comfortable expressing myself to others in the same way.
