Weekly Prompt #38: What are some things you've learned about yourself through experiencing anxiety?
Hello all and welcome back to another discussion,
A couple of weeks ago, we discussed: Add your worry to this Worry Jar! Thank you to all who participated and shared your thoughts with us. I appreciate you all. I hope all who may read it find it relatable too. If anyone hasn't shared yet, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: What are some things you've learned about yourself through experiencing anxiety?
Anxiety can be challenging to navigate but have you wondered if it taught you something as well? Maybe helped you become self-aware of something, helped you learn one or two things to deal with your anxiety, how you view the world and events, etc. Let us know your learning and insights here with us
I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!
@ASilentObserver
I discovered that above all other things I am a coward.
@Gettingbettertoday Feeling like a coward can bring up difficult emotions. Would you share more about what led you to this realization.
@ASilentObserver
Courage is facing your fears. You don't even need to win to be brave you just need to be able to step up when fear finds you.
This is something I am unable to do,
@ASilentObserver
That i do NOT let anxiety define me I rule it not it ruling me
@pamharley003 I am glad to hear that you are determined to manage your anxiety. What helps you stay motivated when dealing with difficult emotions?
@ASilentObserver
I use my coping tools to help me relax when i am having moments of uncertainty in life. I sit for aa bit and use breathing exercises, channel the negativity i am having and work on getting back to being calm.
@ASilentObserver well experiencing anxiety has taught me the importance of selfawareness and selfcare. It's helped me recognize my triggers and learn coping mechanism. It's also made me reach out for support which has been a boon in my life.
I learned that when I’m really anxious my stomach gets irritated or grind my teeth. This is usually caused by lack of sleep, overeating, family drama, or work stress.
@MoonLightShadow423 It seems like you have noticed some patterns that contribute to your anxiety. What do these factors mean to you?
It good to know what causes it. For a long time I didn’t know. Between anxiety and stress levels. Your body feels it too. Even when you think it just the mind being bothered by something.
So, I found out that my anxiety has a positive side. It makes me really detail-oriented, and I notice things that other people miss. I'm also more prepared for anything that comes my way. I think it's because my brain is always going a mile a minute. But hey, at least I'm good in a crisis! 🤗
@whimsicalSummer6500 I am glad you have discovered some benefits of having anxiety. How do these aspects of yourself make you feel?
Even in difficult situations, there is always something positive to be found if we take the time to look for it. For every negative aspect, there is usually a corresponding positive one.
@ASilentObserver
I’m a 3 sport high school athlete (volleyball, basketball, track) at a small school and am pretty athletic. I used to get super nervous before games, especially my freshman year because i was a varsity starter and i had severe imposter syndrome. I taught myself that it’s okay to feel nervous, but theres no reason for it to control me, and i can tell other people about it. Although my coping got better, i started having anxiety attacks and just overall worse anxiety this past year, as i took on more responsibilities. I’ve realized that i put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed, especially because I’m the oldest child in my family with a handful of younger siblings. I want to be someone they can look up to and strive to be without losing myself or my motivation along the way. And I’ve realized that’s a lot of pressure to put on a 16 year old girl. So I’ve been practicing being more lenient with myself and taking early action with things instead of procrastinating and getting frozen with responsibilities.
Anxiety has taught me that I am a complex individual who likes to understand beyond the surface of the things presented in life. That is why I ask so many questions, research many things, and over think. This is also why quick changes create a spiral of emotions because I have no idea of what to expect or how to navigate through everything constantly.
I'm learning how many people in my support system go through the same feelings as I am. Anxiety is very new to me, so to learn from others who have dealt with it is a good starting point. I do my best to express how I'm feeling and knowing when to rely on others.
@EarlofLemon58 It is good you finding comfort in connecting with others who understand what you going through! What has been most helpful about opening up to them?
@ASilentObserver What I find helpful is reassurance in my decisions. I know I focus on collecting data to make decisions, but can get stuck with analysis-paralysis. Feeling like even with all the info, the struggle to make decisions on topics that I don't feel I know enough about. At work, I feel most of the time I can yes/no because I'm comfortable with my knowledge. It's things where I'm not informed enough that I question whether I know best.
Bouncing my thoughts and feelings off friends can help ground me some when I'm lost or "not informed" enough.
@ASilentObserver Since my journey with anxiety has begun, I have learned a lot about myself. I am more self-aware than in the past when I first had it. I usually can pick up the "triggers" before it becomes "full blown" so to speak. And I have manage to get it under control.
@agreeableShade4304 this is good, shade. What do you think has helped you become more aware of your triggers?
Being mindful and staying in the moment has helped a lot. When I first experienced anxiety, my mind would develop some incredible thoughts. I learned to “stay out of my head” and stay in the moment.