It’s like slamming on the brakes at 100 miles per hour. I had never experienced anxiety until recently, and wow, did it stop me in my tracks!
Let me back up a bit. Â
My father was abusive physically and mentally. I was homeless for a short stent when I was a teenager. I had developed a bad temper and had no coping skills. Stress and fear up until around 40ish was my norm. Peace and happiness were not my every day till around 46. So, when I found peace, it became like a drug that I craved.
I spent many of my years with no purpose, out of shape, unhappy, and honestly just depressed. I was at a point where I had to decide to give up living or choose life consciously. Fortunately, a few people in my life made it worth living, so I decided to live, grow my mind, and get in shape. This decision forced me to leave a 20-year marriage.
I dove into books on mind, body, and soul. Author David Hawkins played a considerable role in my transformation. I hired a trainer, worked on my weight, and completely changed my diet.
After years of this process and reading over 40+ self-development books, I started understanding the human condition in ways few people do. I could defeat fears, walk away from stress, and live mostly peacefully and happily.
Fast forward to my most recent insanity. Â
Recently, I struggled with work, relationships, place of residence, and many other critical life decisions. I found myself in a place of indecision. I craved an answer that satisfied me. Without realizing what was happening, I began experiencing extreme anxiety. My life came to a screeching halt. I encountered the death spiral down in the middle of indecisiveness and fear. Each symptom often forced me further and further down that spiral. My blood pressure shot up, I couldn’t be around people, I couldn’t sit still, and I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t even drink water without feeling like I was choking. The effects of indecision were harmful!
My saving grace is that I had learned to overcome fear in the past, and I knew I could use the same method to defeat this anxiety. I share this experience to acknowledge that if you are experiencing anxiety, this can help. I can also support you through this process.
The process:
I started catching the thought that preceded a burst of anxiety. There were several. *You must realize that in the beginning, anxiety comes from an unconscious level because we have not brought it to the surface.
Once I began making these moments conscious, I could question the thoughts that were causing my anxiety. Writing them down can support examining their origins. Â
Once I examined each thought, I could see what was happening. I had to make some decisions to help win this battle. When the same thoughts come to mind, I recognize their danger and now control where they go. If something needs to be done or changed, I do it. I can now dismiss it if nothing needs altering, and I recognize it’s just a negative thought.
In some cases, you may need to seek a professional if your anxiety is health and life-threatening. When you’re ready, The Connection Effect is here to support you and guide you to work through these struggles.Â
Let’s get there together.
