11 tips before you taper

Inform yourself
Read from different sources about your medication. Try to formulate basic expectations of what to expect during the taper and what to look for symptomatically. Inform yourself, because your doctor may not know everything about the subject. Study the methods of tapering or ask me about the methods. Consider the possibility of switching to another drug that is more suitable to taper. Not all medicines are and those can cause more withdrawal symptoms then other medicines. Find a naturopath who can support your body with dietary supplements to help you get through the process in the best way possible. 


Preparation
Prepare for when you are not feeling well. Make the day's workload as light as needed. If you do have responsibilities, try to get help or outsource it to someone else. You need to be resourceful if it gets more challenging. If friends or family can cook for you, it makes a difference. If your children need to be picked up from school and a neighbor can do that for you, this too will  make a difference. Have groceries delivered to your home if possible, or even ask a dear neighbor or family member to support you there. Don't be embarrassed, because is a journey, that is better done with support. Of course, do whatever you can yourself. Just don't hesitate to ask for help when you feel you need it.

Support
Try to have a broad support network. Don't lean on just one person, but let everyone in your life be part of your support network. Support makes a world of difference for many people who are tapering. People with partners will tend to lean on their partner alone. However, at times,  this is not possible because a partner may not understand, or (as any human being) is just limited in what he/she can bear. Therefore, whatever your situation, spreading the weight is essential.

Acceptance
Accept that you have to go through this. No matter how you experience withdrawal, you have to go through it if your goal is to get off the medication. Fighting it creates stress and internal tension, which makes it worse. The more acceptance you can embrace, the easier you go through the process of withdrawal and healing.

Diversion
Distract yourself. Find things that you can do that will distract your mind and get you through the day. Pick something you like and what works to distract yourself. Without distractions, your mind might be consumed with benzos, tapering, and your struggling body usually doesn't help. Distraction is the key to success and the path to a benzo-free existence. But do not judge yourself if your mind is continuously busy with the topic of tapering, because that is also perfectly normal.

A benzo buddy
If you can find a tapering buddy, it can make a big difference. This would be someone who is also tapering and with whom you can talk to, as that person is facing similar challenges as you are. Be open to everything yourself, and you can sense whether contact with someone is right for you or not. Choose the person where you notice an improvement in your mood.

It's okay
Never be ashamed, and do what feels right to you. If you like walking outside, and you have crying spells all day, don't care about the neighbors. I think this road is too long to worry about those things. If you sleep better with a teddy bear in your arms, do it! Whether you're 25 or 62 or 90, do what's right for you and don't judge yourself.

Nutrition
Drink enough water, eat a wide variety of nutrients, and observe your weight because the benzos can cause shifts in metabolism. Be wise with dietary supplements. Not all supplements are harmless. Sometimes they can make the symptoms worse.

Coaching
Get support from a taper coach. The good coaches I know have gone through the experience themselves, like myself, and can motivate and support you in this challenge. Getting new coping tools can be essential. The testimonies of those who had help from a coach are often positive.  

Share
Share your story with others on tapering and withdrawal websites. Look to see if any community page gives you support but be wary of sites that make you more restless/anxious about your withdrawal process.  

No "one fit's all"
You are a unique person, with a unique body.
What helped you out, doesn't automatically help others, and what worked for them, might not be right for you. Many tips are shared on the internet by people, sometimes doctors, who want to help you out and tell you what is best. Unfortunately I have seen a lot of advise being given as a one fits all solution. For your health there is no such thing as a "one fits all" solution. Be careful with yourself and do your own research and if you need to ask, ask somebody with lot's of experience.