Whether we like it or not, adversity is a part of life and can be coupled with crippling anxiety. Anxiety can seem to be taking hold of our lives by controlling not only our thoughts but even our actions. This fear, holding us back from living up to our potential because we’re too worried about what might happen, paralyzed by our own anticipated future.
I can’t tell you how much time I’ve wasted questioning my future, worried about my tomorrows when my today’s were passing me by. When I was growing up I was terrified of the unknown which was dramatically increased when my uncle passed away. I spent time creating the worst case scenarios for everything around me, everything that meant something in my life. I became a master at amplifying any threatening situation into a full-on disaster.
On top of that I had tremendous fear of failure. Instead of working hard to fulfill my purpose, I was working hard because I had anxiety that I wasn’t good enough. I was trying to beat my fears with fearful action.
The truth is, I still have anxiety. I still worry. I still have fears. The difference between my past and my present is faith.
My fears are no longer wasted worries. I’ve learned to control them before they control me. I had to learn how to deal with anxiety, grow from it, create a new mindset, and come to the conclusion that everything we experience can serve a purpose.
How to Overcome Anxiety and Fear
Accept Your Anxiety
Fear actually serves a purpose in our lives. By being aware of our anxieties we can begin to realize our fear can be a good thing. Fear, doubt, and worry can build our faith, hope, and love. When we are in a time of worry, we can begin showing gratitude for all other aspects of our lives, combatting anxiety with gratefulness.
Separate Anxiety from Yourself
I’ve learned to separate anxiety and fear from myself. It may seem silly, but I even sometimes name it… Anxious Andy ha! This gives me the perspective that I am not anxious, I am not fearful. These are simply just emotions, they aren’t an identity. Fear and worry are thoughts and feelings just as happiness, courage, and confidence are. As quickly as they sprung up in our heads, it can just as easily be replaced because we know we are in full control.
Write Down Your Worries
Journaling when you’re anxious, stressed, worried, and fearful is an amazing therapy. Writing down your troubled thoughts can be just enough to give you relief in the moment. By doing this, you make a very literal action step to get that thought out of your head.
Find Time to Breath
Being able to take time to calm yourself with mindful breath can be really effective in overcoming adversities anxiety and fear. Again, we show that we are in control of our bodies and emotions. By sitting or laying down and taking big deep diaphragmatic breaths we can slow ourselves down and can also restore our emotional equilibrium.
