The Nature of Fear and Anxiety: A Personal Journey
When it comes to fear and anxiety, they often appear and feel very real. These are genuine thoughts and emotions that can easily dominate our perception of reality. However, it's important to remember that these feelings often stop at the level of thoughts and emotions. This realization is crucial because too often, we try to eliminate these feelings before we start living a life true to ourselves and our purpose.
My Personal Reality Check
There was a time in my life when fear and anxiety were my constant companions. Every decision, every step forward was shadowed by what might go wrong. I believed that I needed to rid myself of these feelings before I could move forward. It felt like a never-ending battle, and I often found myself stuck, unable to pursue the things that truly mattered to me.
Embracing Fear and Anxiety
The truth is, we can have these thoughts and feelings and still do the things that are most important to us. It's about acknowledging that fear and anxiety are part of our experience but not letting them control our actions. This shift in perspective was a game-changer for me.
Sometimes, the levels of fear or anxiety we experience are so high that we need support to work through them in order to move forward. There is absolutely nothing wrong with needing support. In fact, seeking help is a sign of strength and courage.
How I Work with Anxiety
Deciding that it's okay to feel scared or anxious and allowing those feelings to be present when they show up is a powerful move. It frees up energy and focus to be directed elsewhere. This approach has been incredibly healing for me, as it reassures my brain that I am safe.
I practice this regularly as I retrain my mind and body. I'm continually amazed not only by what the mind will throw at you but also by how capable we are of directing ourselves from a deeper place within.
Asking the Right Questions
One technique that has been particularly helpful is asking myself, "What would I be doing if I didn’t have anxiety?" And then, I go and do that very thing. It sounds simple, but it's profoundly effective.
What to Expect from Your Mind
Your mind might try to sabotage you with thoughts like:
All the things that could go wrong.
All the things you haven’t done.
All the ways you’re not good enough.
But here's the good news: When this happens, nothing has gone wrong. This is just your brain doing what it has been conditioned to do. We can recondition our brains. The brain will always be a brain, but we can unteach the patterns that contribute to an overabundance of fear and judgmental thoughts.
Relearning and Retraining
We can unteach beliefs that no longer support us and adopt new ones that are helpful. We can learn to be kinder, more loving, and more compassionate to ourselves and others. We can redirect our attention and energy to the things we truly value in life.
Building Trust
Practicing acceptance and trust has been pivotal in my journey. Trust, in particular, has been something I've been nurturing and repairing for a while now. And let me tell you, we're becoming really close.
Conclusion
Fear and anxiety are natural parts of life, but they don't have to dictate our actions. By acknowledging them, seeking support when needed, and practicing self-compassion, we can live lives that are true to ourselves and our purpose. This journey is ongoing, but it's one of profound growth and self-discovery.