Anxiety, worry, fear, and stress rob us of life.
Sure, there is a certain healthy level, as all emotions have a purpose.
At the end of the day, they’re feedback mechanisms we can learn and grow from.
The challenge is when they run wild. That’s the issue for many.
When anxiety, worry, our fears, and stressors get out of control, they often spark mental chatter, leading us down negative thought patterns, loops, and a never-ending cycle of thought mentation.
I should know, I experience this all too often.
Not believing every thought I think keeps me honest. So do practical strategies like journaling and reflection.
And, as I’ve shared in past editions, a concept I’ve fallen in love with is this: action is the antidote to anxiety.
Just taking action can help ease our anxieties, but not only that. I’d go one step further and say that action is not only the antidote to anxiety but also to worry, fear, and our stressors.
There are many reasons why anxiety, worry, fear, and stress emerge, sometimes outside of our control.
Yet, isn’t it interesting that one event or situation may provoke anxiety in one person and not another?
This signals to me that anxiety, worry, fear, and stress are often linked to our insecurities, personal experiences, and perspectives—basically, how we see ourselves and the world around us.
If we want to stop anxiety, worry, fear, and stress from robbing us of life, isn’t it worth facing them and healing from them instead of letting them control us, our lives, and keep us prisoner?
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be trapped or held back by anything or anyone, let alone my own mind.
That’s why I’m such an advocate for the path of personal growth, self-understanding, and discovery.
It’s by consciously walking this path that we shine a light on our inner demons and insecurities. And when we do that, we can begin to let go of them and set ourselves free.
It’s not an easy path. No one said it would be.
Sometimes, we need professional help from a therapist, psychiatrist, or similar.
And if that’s the case, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
In fact, I’m exploring this right now as the next step in my own healing journey, after some anxieties and insecurities were recently triggered (at the time of writing this).
This is when I realised: anxiety, worry, fear, and stress can rob us of life, without us even realising it.
And that’s not what life is about, in my opinion.
So, what’s the solution?
- Remember not to believe every thought you think.
- Try journaling and self-reflection to explore the depths of your inner world and build self-understanding.
- Find what works for you on your personal growth path
- Seek professional help from a therapist, psychiatrist, or similar if you need it.
And finally…
Develop self-compassion.
Remember: we’re all doing the best we can, operating from the highest level of consciousness we can in each moment.
That’s a reminder I need to give myself more than anyone else.
REMINDERS
1.
Don’t believe every thought you think.
Our thoughts aren’t facts. Not all of them are true. That’s why there’s tremendous power in practising observing thoughts without believing every one is true.
2.
Action is the antidote.
I’ve shared this one before, but I’m sharing it again because I’m finding it extremely powerful in shifting anxiety, worries, fear, and stress.
3.
You’re doing the best you can.
Self-compassion grows when we remember we’re all navigating life and doing the best that we can from our current level of consciousness. From this level, we cannot do any more!