Anxiety.

Every day that passes I’m learning something new about it.

Both good and bad, it’s either a new technique to combat it or discovering something else that sets it off.

If I am to look back in time, from when I was first diagnosed with anxiety to now, I ask myself how much have I grown. How much have I learned? How much have I been able to use what I’ve learned to help me?

Some days, I feel like I haven’t learned anything. When I feel anxious about something, it can feel like everything I’ve learned to cope with it goes right out the window.

Then there are days, where I feel strong and I feel like I can kick my anxiety off of a ten-story building.

So, what do I do on the days I feel weak or I forget my coping abilities?

First, you have to get through the anxiety.

Whether it is grounding techniques, breathing techniques, talking it through, doing something physical, isolating yourself, or surrounding yourself with people or things, comfy clothes, or in my case a weighted blanket.

But one thing I have been surrounding myself with is inspirational videos and books that are helping me through.

This week, it’s been a book I found at Kmart. Funnily enough, it is called ‘Anxiety free’.

Its table of contents covers understanding anxiety, challenging your mind, regulating your body, getting support, living your life, and famous quotes.

It has been amazing. Some of the information is eye-opening to me. When I read some of it, I sit and wonder how or why I hadn’t thought of it before. As an overthinker, you’d think I would have covered it, right?

For example, this is from the book –

Think about today.

Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. – CORRIE TEN BOOM

And this is from a video –

It’s kind of crazy when you think about it, that today is the tomorrow that you were worried about yesterday and here you sit worrying about tomorrow but making it through today. Take that in for a second. Be here, be there tomorrow, just let what’s going to happen, happen. Do your best to stay strong. You did it yesterday, and the day before. Keep doing it. I’m proud of you  – the.rite – Tiktok

These two hit me hard. It is so simple, but I had never thought of it these ways before.

These helped me focus on the present, and not worry about the future or even the past. As I learn who I am again, and how I let or allow anxiety play a part in that process, these tools I have, and continue to find, help me find a way through the tough days. They help me grow and in turn, help me learn things about myself I’ve long since forgotten.

Another tool I’m trying to learn/use is to remember to be kind to yourself. This is something I struggle to do because I struggle to understand how to be kind to myself.

I’m learning that to be kind to yourself means to understand that you are going to get bad days, and you are allowed to feel those days, giving yourself time to process them and learn something from them. Even if the only thing you learn is a new coping skill, then you are still better off.

Being kind can also mean taking care of yourself. Do something just for yourself. If what you need is to sit on the lounge/couch and watch TV all day or curl up with a good book, then do that. If it’s going for a walk or run, do that. Whether it’s swimming or climbing a mountain, there are no limits. Do something that makes you feel good and is healthy for you.

Remember all in moderation though, you need to stay healthy because this will make you stronger.

I will continue to write about anxiety, as unfortunately, it is a huge part of my life. If you have a tip on how you battle anxiety in your day, please feel free to share, you might learn a new technique that’ll help you out one day.

Until next time,

Be kind to yourself 😊

If you need to reach out, feel free to contact me, I’m always here to help out where I can.