“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”
― Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa
“I will believe in the future that I do not see. That is faith. And the reward of this faith is to see the future that I believed. I will continue despite exhaustion. I focus on results. I am a person of great faith. I will persist without exception.” -Andy Adrews, The Traveler’s Gift
Many of you do not know this, but these past few years have been difficult. I do not share everything in my life on here. I like to keep my struggles to those I am closest to and not share my entire life with the world. There have been some tough events and challenges over the past few years. But, the truth is that I suffer from generalized anxiety and some mental health issues. It has been an obstacle I have been dealing with for a few years now.
My anxiety started probably a year after graduating. I wanted to succeed so bad. I wanted to become an adult overnight. I wanted it all right now. I wanted to make my dreams come true. No one would stop me. Over time, the pressure I put on myself effected me negatively. I became stressed and overwhelmed. I would get upset, sad, and angry when things did not go as planned. I would be disappointed if things did not go exactly the way I imagined. It’s something I deal with regularly.
People who do not have anxiety have a hard time understanding. They think we’re just nervous That we can just “get over it”. I wish it were that easy. When I feel anxious, I am on edge. My mind is in override. I feel like all eyes are on me. I think people are waiting to call me out and embarrass me. Sometimes, it can get overwhelming. It can turn into an episode where I am afraid to leave home so I can stay “ safe” from the “dangers” outside.
Once I figured out what was happening to me, I took action. I got help. enlisted a psychologist. We discussed my thoughts and how to manage them more effectively. I focused on self care. I exercised. I ate well. I journaled my thoughts often and took quiet time during the day. I sought peace and quiet when possible.
I am glad to say that my efforts are showing progress. I feel more at peace and positive each day. I am able to communicate and work with clarity and effectiveness more often. I find myself smiling and laughing more. I am better able to assess situations and challenges without having a “freak out” response.
Why do I tell you this? Why do I share my darkest moments and vulnerabilities. Because YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We all experience struggles. We all experience doubts. We all experience failures. We are all wired differently. Most importantly is how you respond. Will you cower into a dark corner of safety? Or, will you stand up and fight? To live your best life, choose to fight and take action. Your negative thoughts and feelings won’t survive for long. Stay strong and keep fighting! As Always, Eat, Move, and Improve!
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.