Anxiety doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some it is an extreme daily struggle. For others it may be the occasional time when several days in a row cause angst and fear. For others it may be somewhere in the middle.
In my podcast, that I co-host with Dee, our goal is to show up in our most authentic selves and do the tough work of choosing love over fear. In a recent episode, I point out that we need to set better boundaries with our family, friends, acquaintances and whomever else we interact with.
Sitting in this cushy lounge chair I glance at the gentleman next to me. He is trying to pretend he doesn’t notice me, so I quickly look away so he is not uncomfortable. Or maybe so I am not uncomfortable; either way I look away.
When my anxiety was getting to a crippling point, I was searching for answers everywhere. And so many places I looked said, mediation. The problem was, who the hell has time to mediate, AND, when we try it doesn’t really help anyhow. Right?
The clock is showing 4:10am. It is time to get up and start another day. But, today, unlike yesterday, there is a ball…a knot really, of anxiousness mixed with dread in my stomach. It feels heavy. It is hard to breathe deeply. I feel afraid.
It’s hot. Like, not normal hot, but the kind of hot I’d imagine the first step into hell would be. Maybe the second step. Shit, how many steps to hell are there…? It is all of those steps. I am choking on sweat and the dust swirling around me.
Have you ever been in a weird mood? A bad one, sad one, a funk- and you are not even sure why? No energy, don’t wanna do jack and overall feel blah? If you have, I feel you completely- and I think most people do too (at least at some point in their life).
If you know me at all, even a little bit, you know that I USED to have an intense fear of flying. I mean intense. Like the kind of fear….(insert shame face here) where I would take prescribed medication, time it just so, drink a glass (or three) of wine, and pour myself into a seat on the plane.
There are plenty of articles and resources on what needs to happen in order to be happy & healthy. The hard part is figuring out what works for you (not everything works for everyone) and then sticking to the process.
As I was filming for my coaching program, I spent some time with my clients on being more present and what that means. Why is it even important? Being more present is something that I too struggle with. I am constantly planning.