I drove up to Symrna, Tennessee on Monday, and spent a couple of days with my friend Kim…
Her blog, The Twice Remembered Cottage, was the very first blog I ever had the pleasure of stumbling onto…
What an awesome discovery that was!
Three and a half years later, Kim continues to inspire me in so many ways. She’s been an extra busy girl lately, creating these sweet little wooden signs for her Etsy shop…
But, this week, we both decided it was the perfect time to take a break, and spend a couple of days just hanging out and having fun!
I took a couple of snapshots of her darling kitchen one day while I was there. It was so surreal being there in it after all these years of seeing it on her blog!
We stayed up way past our bedtimes, and talked about decorating & paint colors, and things that make our hearts sing. We ate at Cracker Barrel, listened to country music, and went on a crazy, out-of-the-way adventure one night because I typed “street” into our GPS, instead of “avenue”. Oops!
But aside from the bonding and belly laughs, the trip was a really positive turning point for me, too. I mention my anxiety here on the blog from time to time, but (unfortunately) it’s something that’s always in the back of my mind. I had my first panic attack five years ago this past August and there’s no way I would’ve been able to drive up I-65 for four hours, by myself, back then. Heck, I even had trouble walking out to our mailbox alone for a while there.
One of the things I’m still very afraid of is taking medication of any kind, so it’s been challenging trying to figure out how to deal with my anxiety issues naturally over the years. One thing that usually works pretty well, is to shift the focus off whatever is making me nervous, by talking about something completely different. For instance, on my way up to Kim’s the other day, I talked to my  friends and family on my cellphone the whole way up the interstate. (Note to my Mom: Don’t worry! I used my little earpiece thingy and had both hands on the steering wheel the entire time!) Robert Brault said, “Most of us don’t need a psychiatric therapist as much as a friend to be silly with.“, and I’m so grateful for all the sweet peeps that kept my brain busy that day!!
Once I got to Kim’s, everything was awesome, too. She made me feel so comfortable and safe, and I can’t thank her enough for taking the time to make sure I felt at home, the entire time.
She’s one of those people that just makes you feel calm just by being around her…ya know what I mean? One of those people you can really, really talk to…and they still want to be your friend when you’re done- LOL! (Thank you, Kim!!!)
“A good friend is a connection to life – a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” Â ~Lois Wyse
And thanks to all the good friends out there that have encouraged me with kind comments over the past few years, too! You guys rock my (totally insane) world!
PS- To my fellow anxious friends out there reading this- Let’s make a pact to remember to do more reaching out to the people that do such a great job of rekindling our inner spirits. Not only will it help kick that anxiety to the curb, their spirits may need some rekindling too!
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Silvia
Layla, This post was so sweet, every girl (anxious or not) needs a friend like her.
I admire you for dealing w/anxiety without medication. I first had a panic attack a few months after being diagnosed with postpartum anxiety, trying to cope with it naturally. After that panic attack I started on the least amount of meds as possible. My twins are now 2 1/2 and I still struggle with it from time to time. Thanks for sharing!
Bekah
I can relate to the panic attacks. While trying to get pregnant with my daughter I had three miscarriages in a row. I had massive anxiety attacks. It is an awful feeling when you can’t control yourself. My mom and another friend helped me find an all natural quick working homeopathic tablet called Calmplex 2000. It works almost immediately and is all natural with no side affects at all. I didn’t want to take meds and deal with all that goes along with that, but this stuff worked and really helped get me through those tough times. I love your blog and have been following for awhile now. You and Kevin remind me of my husband and I! I always love to see what your up to next!
Emily
I totally understand. It is so easy to let anxiety keep you from doing anything. I struggle with it daily but luckily my husband helps me relax and get out there and I have some good friends who understand too.
Ann Flora
Thanks for sharing about your anxiety. It’s always a relief to know that I’m not the only one. And yes, distraction is indeed a great side effect-free technique for coping with anxiety.
CRYSTAL
Hey, Layla!
I too live in Smyrna. I’m glad you were where visiting. I would love to know if you or Kim have any favorite shops/store. Maybe there is a few places in my backyard that I may be overlooking. 😉
Patsy
Hi Layla,
I have pretty severe anxiety and some other mental health issues. I have had to resort to medications. I am not sure i could function without them because of the severity. Of course I have a lot of therapy also. (i’m really normal on the outside).
Its something that is very hard to live with as you and many others know.
(meanwhile back at the ranch)…… my point is that I enjoy your honesty and have loved your blog since i first stumbled onto it. It gave me so much courage that i started my own blog. it was on new years day. I have to say i thought it was pretty good too.
As usual things went wrong and we couldn’t keep the house. Despair is the word i would use. I asked God to show me what to do and I have been doing it everyday. I am so much better for it. I’m happy.
I admit that i have felt for awhile that i’m not worthy of a blog and I shouldn’t really look at them so much. I still follow yours of course and gladly so because of this post. We are all worthy to share what we love. You make us all feel that we know you and it’s “safe” to be in your world. You encourage all of us. THANK YOU!!
Miss Mustard Seed
I just love Kim and her style. She was one of the first blogger I found as well and she made me get a “bee in my bonnet” about a brick back splash. So glad you two had fun!
Cheri
I love your authenticity Layla!
I have struggled with anxiety since I was a kid … it’s taken different forms through the years, and still creeps in now and then. It is definitely the friends in my life that love me through it and laugh with me. Glad you had a wonderful girl weekend!
Mary
Thank you for introducing me to The Twice Remembered Cottage.
I just spent the last hour “surfing” through this great blog. I love
red and at this point haven’t used it in my house. But whenever
we get to downsize, bring on the red. I bought a new can opener
the other day and guess what color? It’s a starting place. I also have
wanted a dollhouse since I saw Kim’s on what use to be Daisy Cottage blog. Have a great weekend. Hugs from Missouri!
Evelyn
Hi Layla, Been reading your blog for a few months and I also have anxiety problems. Mine started when my husband died. Never, ever had a problem before that. Went through fear, isolation and a touch of agoraphobia. After years of being cooped up by myself (held a few jobs but the market crash in ’08 made my job security a thing of the past) I finally got a job I love with wonderful, dear people to work with. They welcomed me into their group and I feel like I adopted new family members. My fear, for the most part melted away. Then my daughter moved into my neighborhood and that too, made me feel so much more secure. I feel like a normal, functional person now after years of living in a panicked state of mind. I hope you can conquer your fears because I know how that limits you. I would’ve never known you were going through this..you hide it well. It helps to give it to God too as well as medical care. Good luck. Btw, I love your house.
Rhonda I
Thank you ever so much for sharing that. I have a son that struggles with this. Sharing and talking about it are so very helpful, not that I wish anyone to have anxious moments or feelings but to know that others do and mange to learn little ways to work through it is so very helpful indeed.. Brings a happy tear to my eye. Bless your heart, and Kim too, so glad you had a wonderful visit. 🙂
Judy
Layla…….There are so many of us out there who suffer in one way or another from anxiety. During my 30’s and 40’s I really struggled but now 20 years later, it’s so much better. I too always found that spending time with or just talking to a good friend helped tremendously. I tried some medications but they just didn’t work for me…tried therapy…but in the end, it was my friends and family who helped the most.
erin
ah, you could have called me! so glad you had a great time. you are strong and brave. hugs, e
Kristen
I loved reading this. Thanks so much for sharing !
Erin @ Two Story Cottage
Kim’s blog was my first also!! I used brick pavers at my old house because of her fantastic backsplash. Layla, I wonder if all creative people have anxiety of some sort? I certainly do!! I get hot & sweaty and feel like I am going to pass out when I am uncomfortable. Last year, going to Blissdom was the most anxiety ridden thing I think I have ever done. It was worth it but I was shaking in my boots the whole time! Now, I’m struggling with school choices for my oldest but my anxiety is not over her. It’s over me being able to get her to school 5 days a week. And handle all that comes with it!! A creative mind is a beautiful thing but it can make it hard to manage real life sometimes. 🙂 Nice to know we are all in the same boat. Glad you & Kim had fun!
tara Lowry
your honesty is beautiful…praying peace overwhelms you.
Sandra
As an anxious person and psychotherapist, I want to commend you for talking about anxiety today, Layla. What I have learned from my own experiences, as well as talking to others, is that anxious people tend to overestimate the danger of an event or situation, and underestimate their ability to deal with it. In other words, we engage in catastrophic thinking. There are some good books out there that deal with helping people change their negative and self-defeating thoughts and beliefs. Sometimes medication is indicated, and has great results, especially if coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy. Remembering to breathe helps too, by the way. Anxious people forget to breathe.
LaPriel
Layla you are wonderful. I know what you mean about the anxiety. Not fun!!!!!!!!!!!! I found Lucinda Bassett’s book From Panic to Power helpful. I also was lucky to enough to find a counselor who took a group of us through her 13 wk class. It helped me a lot. I still have panic sometimes, esp in the middle of the night, but it is good to know it won’t kill me. 🙂 A drop of lavender essential oil on the bottom of my feet helps me calm down and go back to sleep on most nights.
You are making the world a better place.
Tenacwalker
Just had to comment- I used to have horrible panic attacks- mostly when I was driving. Distracting myself really helped- when I couldn’t talk on the phone, I would eat Altoids (I HATE peppermint!) and turn the air conditioner on high until I was freezing. Then I discovered the Harry Potter audio books read by Jim Dale- it would distract me better than anything and yet I was still able to safely drive. I was on medication for a little while and it helped me tremendously. When I felt comfortable weaning myself off, I discovered that caffeine had a detrimental effect and I cut it out of my diet- one of the hardest things I have ever done, but well worth the effort in the end. When I top the hill and see Atlanta traffic backed up for miles I still have a twinge, but not usually a full blown attack. It was all eventually linked to my thyroid but we didn’t figure that out for a while. Get your thyroid level tested if you have not. Great post, Layla- it is nice to see how other people have learned to cope.
Mrs.B
Somehow I missed that you had problems with anxiety. I guess all the PRETTY & COOL stuff here caught my attention. I’m so glad to hear that you were able to enjoy this time & are handling this issue better. If you haven’t experienced it, it’s hard to explain and people say they understand, but NO, they don’t. I am SO proud of you for driving on the INTERSTATE…YES!, YAY, You go GIRL!…this coming form a girl that KNOWS exactly what a big deal that is! 🙂
Lizzie
I’ve witnessed many miracles curing panic attacks, my baby sister (45yrs old) being the latest success story. Run, don’t walk to your local library and get the book The Healing Code by Alex Lloyd and Ben Johnson. I was in tears many times reading the book, and far more times afterward as I witnessed so many miracles. I try to steer clear of pharmaceuticals as well. Energy healing is truly God’s gift to us and these authors, using quantum physics make it easy to understand and use. Heal well and quick!
Alicia
as a soon-to-be-graduate with a MA in clinical counseling, I totally agree with your wariness in taking meds. Anxiety can be treated without medication and it sounds like you are very aware of your triggers and what works in calming you. Don’t be afraid to ever seek some help from a counselor in getting some cognitive behavior therapy. It can be immensely helpful . . . thanks for sharing (many people feel alone in this but anxiety is very common!) and keep doing what you’re doing! (taking risks, sharing, laughing, praying)
michelle
so glad you have such awesome friends that were able to help you out. i totally get the anxiety stuff, unfortunately i have to take meds as nothing else helped. in the bible it says, “worry about nothing but pray about everything.” that seems to help me when the meds aren’t helping as much as they need too. (i take the lowest dosage possible). i repeat that so many times during the day, i think i prolly say it in my sleep. it does seem to help alot, hope it helps you too.
wendy
Hi Layla,
We would have never known about your anxiety, but thanks for sharing. I also feel the same way often. Just like you, I will never travel and just driving on the highway to the mall is an acomplishment for me. I got a gps for my Birthday so I’m hoping that will help. You may have anxiety but you are a very brave girl and seem to have the bull by the horns. Glad you have Kev to help you:)
Good luck and thanks for sharing.
Darla
I found you through PW and continued to follow your blog for your talent. And today I fell in love with you for your humanness. I completely understand what it’s like to be in a state of anxiety so strong the end of your driveway feels like miles away down a long black tunnel. Those times have come and gone but I still have to focus and do do exactly as you say (even years later!!!), focus on something, anything else other than what is pressing on me.
God bless you.
Rhonda
Love your blog because you are so relatable and special 🙂 Just a down to earth gal.
I also have anxiety issues and won’t take medication, Oh, and I’m an RN, goofy right! I can take care of everyone else, just not myself,
You are so talented, keep up the good work and maybe this blog can be your outlet for some of the anxiety. I know when I am DIYing and crafting, it really helps me!!
Thanks for being real and sharing 🙂
Dandylion
One day – stuck in a traffic jam on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco – I could feel myself losing focus and spiraling into that very strange sensation of doom that is a panic attack. I was wildly searching for distractions when I started to count (and rub my adrenal gland under my ear lobe which often seemed to help disperse the excess adrenaline causing the attack). I counted to 15 and I could feel it easing. It was such a revelation to me to really understand that the experience is actually finite and manageable. If realized that if I could hold on for 15 seconds and ride it out, it would be over. After that, whenever I felt those first twitches, I would almost try to bring it on so I could begin counting. From that time, I began to feel more in control and I was less afraid of them. That was 14 years ago. Since those years of severe, almost hourly attacks I can now count on one hand the number I have had and the fear of them has completely gone.
At the time, I read everything I could find – also determined not to be medicated – but I never talked about it. I think the value of airing the experience is enormous and I think you, Layla, are bravely spotlighting a very strange and silent epidemic.
D x
Sandra
This post, even though it has very little to do with DIY or decorating, is one of the best you have ever written, Layla. Kudos to you for your honesty and thank you for sharing what has obviously been a difficult and little known aspect of your personal life.
Your ability to relate to readers, fans and other self-proclaimed DIY’ers is what has made your blog one of my must reads over the last couple of years. The relationship you have with Kevin, the passion you share for design, your fantastic ideas and your positive outlook are so refreshing in the blogging world.
May you have more anxiety-free days. You are so brave for sharing.
S.
Pine Tree Home
Thought I would share that I too constantly felt anxious and had episodes where I was crippled with fear. After 5 years of battling with it, not wanting to take any medication, doctors never finding anything medically wrong, I finally took it upon myself to change my diet. Talk about LIFE CHANGING. It’s been over 4 months and I have never ever felt better. Might be worth a try for you too just to see if you feel any better. No worries, no crazy off the wall diet, just very low sugar/carbs and higher protein.
Melissa Shields
Layla,
As a master’s student studying counseling psychology, I really appreciate you being brave enough to bring your anxiety into the forefront. Just normalizing for some people may be helpful. I would, however, like to emphasize how much seeing a mental health professional may be helpful. Research has shown that certain therapeutic techniques can work as well as medications and have lasting effects, where medications will stop working once you stop taking them. So, I’m kind of with you on the medications thing. I think seeing a mental health professional is still a little taboo in society, but so many people could live more fulfilling lives with it. Anyway, thanks for sharing!
Netty
Hey Layla! Two things to help with anxiety…..mine was so bad I almost ditched my awesome husband and didn’t marry him….luckily I got help that worked. 🙂 I too was anti-medication. Acupuncture and a good Chinese Herbalist are A M A Z I N G for this! For me it was 1000 times better than therapy and so helpful! You can find a good person in your area by looking at http://www.tai.edu/Practitioners.aspx It’s a school near where I live that had the first accredited program for Chinese healing medicine on the east coast. And if you decide it’s not your thing–you can still learn a trick that my herbalist taught me. He said every time you start to feel yourself ramping up about something and starting to get that anxious feeling..just tell that part of you “I’m sorry. I can’t talk right now. Can we talk tomorrow?” You’ll have to do it A BUNCH at first but slowly it will really start to go away and you’ll be able to stop an attack before it starts. 🙂 Try it… it works! 🙂 Glad to hear you’re finding your own ways to cope with this. The mind is a beautiful, demanding being isn’t it? 🙂 –Annette
Amy
I just love your site! And love the honesty…I too have struggled with anxiety and have wanted to deal with it “naturally,” The best advice I was given was to live and push through my fears, as you did with the drive. Simple, but it helps.
Mindy Hill
Such a lovely post, Layla. It makes me feel like I’m not alone in the adventures of anxiety. After being on medication for nearly 2 years I took it upon myself to stop. Between the physical side-effects and researching the different chemicals I was ingesting on a daily basis, I wanted to try and tackle my anxiety on my own. And so far I am doing great! I truly believe that the more educated you are about your anxiety/disorder, the more you can find ways to cope on your own.
I love your blog and your work, you and Kev do some great work!
{darlene}
beautiful and encouraging post. friends and laughter are the best medicine!!
I have been amazed at the friendships that blogging has brought into my life. It is a very cool phenomenon.
– {darlene} @ fieldstone hill design
Melissa
I love your blog!
I hope you do have a blog for anxiety/panick attacks! I to have suffered for over 4 years. It really helped me to read/know that I am not alone! I also got some good tips from everyone sharing what has helped them cope with the attacks!
Thank you for being so open and sharing with everyone!!
Laura
Layla, keep up the good work managing your anxiety without medicine. I too have had these problems since my early 20’s (now 55) and have managed to make it through life to this point, (married 29 yrs, raised 3 kids, illness and deaths of friends and family, and been through menopause) all without medication! I’m not gonna say it was easy, but it’s doable! I will tell you that at this point in my life many of those fears/anxieties have vanished…I’m so much calmer and more at peace now than I have ever been! You may email me ANY time you need to vent about this….I’m sure I have been there and in many instances I am still there…like the medication thing…hate pills….and I still struggle with a fear of eating raw produce! LOL – I just have to laugh at myself! Hang in there!
Calico Child
Gosh didn’t realise so glad you felt secure at your friends what a big journey to make on your own thank you for sharing with us that kitchen is gorgeous & the signs are lovely will be popping over to the Etsy shop :))
Trina
OMG, I just fell in LOVE with her red cabinets!!! Red is my very favorite color & while I never would have thought to paint my cupboards red, it looks AMAZING!! So crisp & clean & fresh!! Thanks for sharing!
Linden Townhouse
What a sweet and honest post, Layla! I experienced my first anxiety attack when I was 28 years old and I had four little children. It was very frightening! I remembered telling my husband that I didn’t think I was going to make it. It took months for me to feel like myself again, and I was determined that I would beat this. Depression and anxiety run deep in my extended family. Whenever I felt a wave of anxiety coming over me I would repeat this verse, “Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” When I boldly confronted my anxiety and fears, with God’s help, they would quickly vanish. Meet them head on, Layla! It really does help. God wants us to have that peace that passes all understanding.
I first began to read Kim’s blog when she was still “One Woaman’s Cottage Life.” I do believe I have followed her from the beginning. I adore her style and talent. So good to know it was a fantastic weekend. (Forgive me for posting so late here but I really wanted to share!)
Rachael
Hi there Layla…
I came across your kitchen pic on Pinterest! LOVE the red cabinets! I also LOVE LOVE LOVE your pendant light hanging above the sink. Could you help a girl out and share where that is from or if you DIY’d, how you did it?
Thanks so much and keep up the amazing work!!!
~Rachael
Layla
Hey Rachael!
You’ll have to check with my friend, Kim, who owns that beautiful kitchen! 😀 I’m sure she’ll be glad to share all the DIY deets with you!
Jill
I love the pics. Can you tell me the brand of paint and the shade of red on the cabinets? Love them!! Thanks for sharing.
Carrie Muchow
Hi! Could you tell me where that pendant light was purchased? It’s so cute and exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you
Gwenetta
You have the red kitchen cabinets with the beadwork on them. I would really like to know the name of the red paint used in that photo. Could you provide that information, please?
Thank you,
Gwenetta