First of all, I want to lift that shame and guilt off of you for battling anorexia for years. Not your fault! And the anxiety … I used to wake up completely paralyzed with anxiety my heart racing, a sense of dread or fear had landed on me once again. I don’t wake up like that anymore. Part of my own reclamation was trusting that each morning, I could choose to meditate, before my feet even hit the floor. Or I could partner with the anxiety and buzz through my day without actually being in my body, present for my own soul. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. I see you.
Thank you for being here. I love the way you phrase it, partnering with your anxiety. What I have found is that embracing the parts of myself that have brought me deep as shame has been the only healthy path forward. That and connection.
I felt this. Bits of it are me. I love how you write about anxiety not as something to conquer, but as a companion to understand. There’s such humility in the way you hold it — no pretence of mastery, just a steady willingness to stay in relationship with something that can be both wise and misleading. It feels honest in a way that invites trust.
I also live with anxiety, and your words reminded me that the work isn’t to silence her, but to learn her patterns — to notice when she’s warning me, and when she’s simply afraid. That idea of slowing down, of “striking while the iron is cold,” feels like the missing pause I so often forget to take.
Your reflection gives permission to listen more gently, both to ourselves and to others. It’s rare to read something that models understanding without control — a piece that doesn’t just talk about slowing down, but is slow, patient, and real. Thank you for that.
, I don't know what to say, your words are a gift to me, as they so often are. Like any relationship, the one I have with anxiety is not static, always in some kind of motion. Somehow writing about it helps me understand it a little bit better, even if I can't always hold onto that understanding
It’s so hard to slow down in a world that has no brake pedal. And yet, we honestly have such a need to slow our lives down to really get to the core of issues or simple ways we can potentially fix our situation - even if it were only for a time to give respite. I’ve learned that slowing down also assists in moving out of extreme anxiety. I’ve found being grounded (literally - socks off in the grass and taking deep breaths) has genuinely helped my anxiety. Thank you for being honest and open as always.
I love that strategy. Connecting yourself to the Earth. Nature goes at her own pace and she is a great reminder (when we let her be) to slow it all down.
My therapist shared w me that when anxiety rises, he steps out of the office, breathes and watches the traffic go by. Changing the scenery. This was a good reminder for me.
Our world is on hyper speed and everyone thinks they are behind when they are on their own time journey. There are 100's of opinions of what we "should" be doing which causes anxiety of "I am not enough" the words are loud but they are not all for us.
When I started observing my own anxiety it was when I was in rooms that did not feel safe or the people energy in the room was clearly not welcoming. Once I changed that I have noticed less events.
There are so many things I love about this response, first and foremost is your use of should in quotes. In the therapy room I always notice that word, whenever we use that word we should be alert as to why and what it means. Thank you for this.
I hate to say it (b/c somehow it feels weak and unattractive) but, yes, I live with high levels of anxiety. In fact, most of my siblings do too. The thing is , it's a tough world at times and , as you noted, there is a place for appropriate anxiety. I can look back over the years now and see the devices I used to (consciously or unconsciously) manage anxiety. I prefer where I am now b/c I can see and name anxiety in my life. I really like your notion of slowing down. I tend to jump to action but what about breathing and maybe having a soft conversation with myself? Thank you for a thoughtful post.
Thank you for sharing your response. Anxiety is not a weakness at all, it's our bodies way of communicating with us and I'm glad you're learning (like me) to approach it differently.
Anxiety is inevitable if you have a pulse because, as you point out, it can have an adaptive purpose at times. It has served an evolutionary function and sometimes sends us valuable and useful information. And sometimes, it is a false alarm. Figuring out the difference is key. Not always easy....
How do we learn from animals that when the threat is abated we can allow relief to return. Anxiety begs to be "soothed" both by mental reframing and physical calming. :-)
First of all, I want to lift that shame and guilt off of you for battling anorexia for years. Not your fault! And the anxiety … I used to wake up completely paralyzed with anxiety my heart racing, a sense of dread or fear had landed on me once again. I don’t wake up like that anymore. Part of my own reclamation was trusting that each morning, I could choose to meditate, before my feet even hit the floor. Or I could partner with the anxiety and buzz through my day without actually being in my body, present for my own soul. Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability. I see you.
Thank you for being here. I love the way you phrase it, partnering with your anxiety. What I have found is that embracing the parts of myself that have brought me deep as shame has been the only healthy path forward. That and connection.
I felt this. Bits of it are me. I love how you write about anxiety not as something to conquer, but as a companion to understand. There’s such humility in the way you hold it — no pretence of mastery, just a steady willingness to stay in relationship with something that can be both wise and misleading. It feels honest in a way that invites trust.
I also live with anxiety, and your words reminded me that the work isn’t to silence her, but to learn her patterns — to notice when she’s warning me, and when she’s simply afraid. That idea of slowing down, of “striking while the iron is cold,” feels like the missing pause I so often forget to take.
Your reflection gives permission to listen more gently, both to ourselves and to others. It’s rare to read something that models understanding without control — a piece that doesn’t just talk about slowing down, but is slow, patient, and real. Thank you for that.
, I don't know what to say, your words are a gift to me, as they so often are. Like any relationship, the one I have with anxiety is not static, always in some kind of motion. Somehow writing about it helps me understand it a little bit better, even if I can't always hold onto that understanding
It’s so hard to slow down in a world that has no brake pedal. And yet, we honestly have such a need to slow our lives down to really get to the core of issues or simple ways we can potentially fix our situation - even if it were only for a time to give respite. I’ve learned that slowing down also assists in moving out of extreme anxiety. I’ve found being grounded (literally - socks off in the grass and taking deep breaths) has genuinely helped my anxiety. Thank you for being honest and open as always.
I love that strategy. Connecting yourself to the Earth. Nature goes at her own pace and she is a great reminder (when we let her be) to slow it all down.
My therapist shared w me that when anxiety rises, he steps out of the office, breathes and watches the traffic go by. Changing the scenery. This was a good reminder for me.
Absolutely.
Our world is on hyper speed and everyone thinks they are behind when they are on their own time journey. There are 100's of opinions of what we "should" be doing which causes anxiety of "I am not enough" the words are loud but they are not all for us.
When I started observing my own anxiety it was when I was in rooms that did not feel safe or the people energy in the room was clearly not welcoming. Once I changed that I have noticed less events.
There are so many things I love about this response, first and foremost is your use of should in quotes. In the therapy room I always notice that word, whenever we use that word we should be alert as to why and what it means. Thank you for this.
Should is so BS - it is a just suggestion.
I hate to say it (b/c somehow it feels weak and unattractive) but, yes, I live with high levels of anxiety. In fact, most of my siblings do too. The thing is , it's a tough world at times and , as you noted, there is a place for appropriate anxiety. I can look back over the years now and see the devices I used to (consciously or unconsciously) manage anxiety. I prefer where I am now b/c I can see and name anxiety in my life. I really like your notion of slowing down. I tend to jump to action but what about breathing and maybe having a soft conversation with myself? Thank you for a thoughtful post.
Thank you for sharing your response. Anxiety is not a weakness at all, it's our bodies way of communicating with us and I'm glad you're learning (like me) to approach it differently.
Anxiety is inevitable if you have a pulse because, as you point out, it can have an adaptive purpose at times. It has served an evolutionary function and sometimes sends us valuable and useful information. And sometimes, it is a false alarm. Figuring out the difference is key. Not always easy....
Definitely NOT easy!
Especially when it rears its head in the middle of the night:)
Antelope on Savannah
Hears the brush snapping
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Most survive – and continue feeding
When the threat is over
Adrenaline withdraws
Anxiety is faucet of adrenaline
A chronic sense of threat
Pacing oneself essential
Resist tides of rushing waters
You decide swim for the shore
To walk to the beat of your drum!
Yes! Anxiety can be life saving, but turning it off is sometimes a must.
How do we learn from animals that when the threat is abated we can allow relief to return. Anxiety begs to be "soothed" both by mental reframing and physical calming. :-)