Anxiety. It’s not something you can see or touch, but it has a way of wrapping itself around you, sometimes so tightly it feels like you can’t breathe. For years, I’ve wrestled with it—this invisible force that makes even the simplest days feel heavy. This isn’t a story about having it all figured out. It’s about navigating the messiness, learning to lean on myself, and finding hope in small victories.
The Rollercoaster of Anxiety
Living with anxiety is a lot like being on a rollercoaster you didn’t choose to ride. There are days when I feel steady, as if I’ve finally tamed it. But then, out of nowhere, it hits—a racing heart, shaky hands, a flood of thoughts I can’t control. In those moments, it feels like everything is crumbling, no matter how good life might look on the outside.
What makes it harder is how unpredictable it is. One day, I can handle everything effortlessly. The next, even a small change can send me spiraling. It’s exhausting, but it’s also taught me something important: it’s okay to not be okay every single day.
Choosing the Energy You Let In
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that energy matters. The people I surround myself with, the environment I’m in, the things I focus on—all of it shapes how I feel. But let’s be real—choosing the “right” energy isn’t always easy. Life isn’t a perfectly curated bubble, and triggers have a way of creeping in.
When that happens, I’ve learned that I can’t always rely on someone else to pull me out. In those raw, overwhelming moments, it’s just me and my breath. Self-reliance has become my anchor—not because I don’t need others, but because I’ve realized that true strength comes from within.
Finding Help: Therapy as a Lifeline
For a long time, I thought I had to face anxiety on my own. I felt weak admitting I needed help, but eventually, I decided to see a psychologist. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Therapy didn’t “cure” my anxiety—it gave me the tools to live with it. It taught me how to regulate my emotions when everything feels like too much. It showed me how to let go of impossible expectations I was placing on myself. Most importantly, it gave me a space where I could be vulnerable without fear of judgment.
Through these sessions, I’ve learned to see anxiety not as an enemy but as something I can work with. It’s still hard, but now I know I don’t have to fight it alone.
The 3-3-3 Method: A Simple Yet Powerful Tool
One technique that has been a lifeline during anxiety attacks is the 3-3-3 method. It’s simple, but in moments when my thoughts feel like a runaway train, it’s exactly what I need to ground myself:
1. Look Around and Name Three Things You See: It could be a cup, a painting on the wall, or even the way sunlight hits the floor.
2. Listen for Three Sounds: The hum of the fridge, the chirping of birds, or even the sound of my own breathing.
3. Move Three Parts of Your Body: Wiggle my toes, stretch my fingers, or roll my shoulders.
This practice pulls me back to the present. It reminds me that I’m here, that I’m safe, that the storm will pass.
Still a Work in Progress
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that healing isn’t a straight line. There are days when I feel strong, and there are days when anxiety still gets the better of me. But that’s okay. Each time I get through an attack, each time I choose to try again, I remind myself of my own resilience.
To anyone out there walking a similar path, I want you to know this: you’re not alone. It’s okay to feel lost. It’s okay to seek help. And it’s okay to celebrate even the smallest steps forward.
Anxiety may be part of my story, but it’s not the whole story. And as I continue this journey, I’m learning to write it with hope, self-compassion, and the belief that I’m stronger than I think.
Love,
Chits
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