I’ve lived with anxiety my whole life. It feels like ever since I can remember, there has been a constant tug-of-war between myself and this condition. At times, it has led me to isolate myself from others or put myself in situations that I never would if I were thinking rationally. Anxiety has not only affected my relationship with others but especially my relationship with myself. However, since I moved to college, I have made a conscious effort to accept my anxiety and to let go of my suffering.
I have always had great expectations of people and circumstances. When things don’t go as planned, I panic. My head used to fill with frustration and I would constantly blame myself, which is incredibly unhealthy. I’m not saying I don’t deal with anxiety anymore– I am just attempting to control it better. I still feel heavy with uneasiness at times, but I have reminded myself that this is normal, that everyone deals with anxiety in their own way. It is nothing to be ashamed of.
When I feel a panic attack coming on, I immediately focus my energy and thoughts on something else. I’ll call a friend or listen to music– anything that has nothing to do with the situation I am worked up over. That way, I can reassess the situation once I have calmed down. If I feel as if I am getting worked up over something that I feel I have no control over, I try to write about the condition from a clear perspective. It helps bring lucidity to the situation.
Another way I cope with my anxiety are written affirmations. In a notebook, I write down at least 10 positive reassurances about myself and my life. An example would be “I neglect any kind of stress in my life. My life is filled with peace”. Although many may be skeptical of this process, writing these down often helps me feel more centered and at peace. When you physically write positive thoughts down on paper, it allows these thoughts to overcome your negative ones.
Anxiety is something that I have to live with. I used to try to hide these emotions, which only burdened myself more. Allowing myself to accept that this is a condition I live with has made me feel less ashamed. When you are ashamed of your anxiety, it makes the attacks so much worse. It makes you feel as if you are the problem when that is hardly ever the case. Embrace anxiety as it comes to you and don’t try to push it away. We all have worries that we must address with clarity and thought.
[Photos courtesy of Everyday Health, Joshua Hook, and The Odyssey.]