2 years ago I had had a break down. I started having panic attacks and I would grind my teeth a bit. Eventually I shattered a tooth. Two years later and a root canal that tooth is causing issues due to an infection. I have a check up on it in a month. It’s not really painful, but it’s a grim reminder of all the issues I had.
I am a significant amount better than before. Meds and therapy helped a lot. But this tooth reminds me of a time where I was a wreck. It’s not a fun feeling. And I don’t know what happens next. I never got a tooth pulled for example, I don’t know what to expect.
Has anyone beaten anxiety issues? Will I be like this forever?
Edit: Went to my dentist, they looked at it, they are sending me to a specialist tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Edit 2: got scheduled for surgery today, they think they can save the tooth.
Edit 3: Surgery was not that bad.
I like build and make things. There are often mistakes I made that no one else can see. For a long time that would really bother me, but that job was done and it was time to move on to the next thing. I had to change the way I saw those mistakes I made into evidence of where I had been and how I had grown. As long as I keep working at my craft and stay diligent, I can minimize my future mistakes while carrying with me the learnings from my past ones. I wouldn’t characterize your tooth as a mistake, but it’s a thing that happened that likely only you see (apart from your dentist I suppose - forgive the imperfect metaphor). It’s another part of the complicated story that is you, and that’s okay. Maybe if you’d like, it can become evidence of where you have been and how you have grown.
Keep your head up and be proud of the story that is you because it is you. I hope this finds you well.