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Weekly Prompt #38: What are some things you've learned about yourself through experiencing anxiety?

ASilentObserver June 12th

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!


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@ASilentObserver

I discovered that above all other things I am a coward.

1 reply
ASilentObserver OP June 24th

@Gettingbettertoday Feeling like a coward can bring up difficult emotions. Would you share more about what led you to this realization.


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@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, 


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pamharley003 June 13th

@ASilentObserver

That i do NOT let anxiety define me I rule it not it ruling me

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ASilentObserver OP June 24th

@pamharley003 I am glad to hear that you are determined to manage your anxiety. What helps you stay motivated when dealing with difficult emotions?


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pamharley003 June 24th

@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.

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Rosie002 June 13th

@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.

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ASilentObserver OP June 24th

@Rosie002 I am glad you have found those lessons helpful. How do these realizations impact your daily life?


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Doesn’t matter how big or small the thing is my anxiety is gonna show up

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ASilentObserver OP June 27th

@sincereWillow197 That sounds challenging, Willow. How has your anxiety impacted you?


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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.

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ASilentObserver OP June 27th

@MoonLightShadow423 It seems like you have noticed some patterns that contribute to your anxiety. What do these factors mean to you?


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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.

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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! 🤗

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ASilentObserver OP June 27th

@whimsicalSummer6500 I am glad you have discovered some benefits of having anxiety. How do these aspects of yourself make you feel?


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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.

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crimsonJet9935 June 24th

@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.

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ASilentObserver OP June 27th

@crimsonJet9935 It seemslike you have learned some valuable lessons like facing your fears and finding ways to manage them. It is good that you are taking steps to work on self-compassion. What do you think might happen if you allowed yourself to fully feel these emotions?


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SouthernRaine June 24th

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.

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ASilentObserver OP June 27th

@SouthernRaine I am glad to hear you have grown through facing your anxiety. How do these realizations about yourself make you feel?


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EarlofLemon58 June 25th

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.

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ASilentObserver OP June 27th

@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?


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EarlofLemon58 June 27th

@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. 

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@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. 

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ASilentObserver OP June 27th

@agreeableShade4304 this is good, shade. What do you think has helped you become more aware of your triggers?


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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.

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