Anxiety: Let´s Talk About It!

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Written by: Melody Lipford

Let’s talk about anxiety. I know, it’s not a fun topic of discussion, especially with others around. To be honest, it can be difficult to wrestle with on your own. If you’re like me, I’ve tried to shove anxiety away several times throughout my life. I’ve tried to pretend it was not part of me and that it doesn’t have an impact on me. However, anxiety is a recurring character in my life. No matter the seasons of life or the passing chapters, anxiety remains constant. Since it is part of my life that isn’t going anywhere, I figure it’s important to talk about instead of simply ignoring it.

The Presence of Anxiety in Everyday Life

It helps to talk about how anxiety impacts your daily life. While anxiety impacts people differently on a daily basis, it’s existence can be challenging to avoid. Unfortunately, anxiety is not a switch you can turn off or eliminate on cue. In reality, anxiety is present throughout daily interactions with people whether it’s unspoken feelings or even the tone of voice used. Anxiety is an internal battle where control feels out of reach.

Anxiety is the feeling of occupying too much space while also feeling unnoticed. It’s the sense of feeling you are not enough when you’re doing all you can to be the person you hope others think you are.

After a panic attack, your anxiety escalates even more and your frustrations grow.

Anxiety is like a revolving door, letting in new guests of chaos that always seem to circle in the
same cycle of worry and panic. Anxiety is a deep pain in your chest with no clear reason at all. It’s waking up at 3 a.m., heart racing, beats elevated, tears running down your face, yet knowing the mock heart attack was actually a panic attack. After a panic attack, your anxiety escalates even more and your frustrations grow. You dwell on the embarrassment of what you believe anyone involved feels was an overreaction, including yourself. It’s those nights after a panic attack where you crawl back into bed, feeling hopeless for a reason you can’t seem to grasp.

The Resilience of Anxiety Suffers and Learning Self-Love

The strongest part of suffering from anxiety is being resilient. Even after a panic attack, you move on and live another day. Although there are moments of crippling thoughts and heavyweight bricks on your chest, you forge on with life. You don’t magically get over moments of anxiety, but you continue to live. You owe it to yourself to not let anxiety take total control of your life. This is an act of control that anxiety can’t take from you .

Some days your anxiety or panic attacks may summon you to your bed –and that’s OK!

Some days your anxiety or panic attacks may summon you to your bed–and that’s OK! As an
anxiety sufferer myself, I’ve learned the importance of showing compassion and understanding to the person I share it with the least–MYSELF. Instead of worrying what everyone thinks about me as I suffer through extreme episodes, I have learned to address my needs for my overall health. If that means I forego an event so I’m able to stay home and have time for myself, then I will. When I need time with friends, I will go to a movie to help distress or cope with anxiety. I’m learning to listen to my body and what it needs for my overall health. I’m learning to look at my health in a more balanced and holistic way, rather than separating my physical and mental health. They are equally important to maintain a balanced life. I’m learning to embrace and love myself more with each day.

Why it’s Important to Talk About Anxiety

I have come to reconcile the fact anxiety is part of me. I have come to learn anxiety is part of my journey to self-acceptance. I have found empowerment in embracing ways to cope with my anxiety versus letting it control me or shame it away. I have found my voice by breaking my silence about this topic, and sharing my experiences with others. My experiences with anxiety may differ from yours, but what’s most important is gaining the courage to talk about it openly. It helps reduce the feelings of isolation and shame society places on anxiety and other stigmatized mental illnesses.

I am not alone, you are not alone, we are not alone. Let’s talk about anxiety in all of its many facets. Share your experiences. Bring light to a subject kept in the dark. Your vulnerability could help someone from suffering in silence. I believe talking about anxiety is imperative.

So, anxiety–let’s talk about it.

Let’s talk about anxiety. I know, it’s not a fun topic of discussion, especially with others around. To be honest, it can be difficult to wrestle with on your own. If you’re like me, I’ve tried to shove anxiety away several times throughout my life. I’ve tried to pretend it was not part of me and that it doesn’t have an impact on me. However, anxiety is a recurring character in my life. No matter the seasons of life or the passing chapters, anxiety remains constant. Since it is part of my life that isn’t going anywhere, I figure it’s important to talk about instead of simply ignoring it.

The Presence of Anxiety in Everyday Life

It helps to talk about how anxiety impacts your daily life. While anxiety impacts people differently on a daily basis, it’s existence can be challenging to avoid. Unfortunately, anxiety is not a switch you can turn off or eliminate on cue. In reality, anxiety is present throughout daily interactions with people whether it’s unspoken feelings or even the tone of voice used. Anxiety is an internal battle where control feels out of reach.

Anxiety is the feeling of occupying too much space while also feeling unnoticed. It’s the sense of feeling you are not enough when you’re doing all you can to be the person you hope others think you are.

After a panic attack, your anxiety escalates even more and your frustrations grow.

Anxiety is like a revolving door, letting in new guests of chaos that always seem to circle in the
same cycle of worry and panic. Anxiety is a deep pain in your chest with no clear reason at all. It’s waking up at 3 a.m., heart racing, beats elevated, tears running down your face, yet knowing the mock heart attack was actually a panic attack. After a panic attack, your anxiety escalates even more and your frustrations grow. You dwell on the embarrassment of what you believe anyone involved feels was an overreaction, including yourself. It’s those nights after a panic attack where you crawl back into bed, feeling hopeless for a reason you can’t seem to grasp.

The Resilience of Anxiety Suffers and Learning Self-Love

The strongest part of suffering from anxiety is being resilient. Even after a panic attack, you move on and live another day. Although there are moments of crippling thoughts and heavyweight bricks on your chest, you forge on with life. You don’t magically get over moments of anxiety, but you continue to live. You owe it to yourself to not let anxiety take total control of your life. This is an act of control that anxiety can’t take from you .

Some days your anxiety or panic attacks may summon you to your bed –and that’s OK!

Some days your anxiety or panic attacks may summon you to your bed–and that’s OK! As an
anxiety sufferer myself, I’ve learned the importance of showing compassion and understanding to the person I share it with the least–MYSELF. Instead of worrying what everyone thinks about me as I suffer through extreme episodes, I have learned to address my needs for my overall health. If that means I forego an event so I’m able to stay home and have time for myself, then I will. When I need time with friends, I will go to a movie to help distress or cope with anxiety. I’m learning to listen to my body and what it needs for my overall health. I’m learning to look at my health in a more balanced and holistic way, rather than separating my physical and mental health. They are equally important to maintain a balanced life. I’m learning to embrace and love myself more with each day.

Why it’s Important to Talk About Anxiety

I have come to reconcile the fact anxiety is part of me. I have come to learn anxiety is part of my journey to self-acceptance. I have found empowerment in embracing ways to cope with my anxiety versus letting it control me or shame it away. I have found my voice by breaking my silence about this topic, and sharing my experiences with others. My experiences with anxiety may differ from yours, but what’s most important is gaining the courage to talk about it openly. It helps reduce the feelings of isolation and shame society places on anxiety and other stigmatized mental illnesses.

I am not alone, you are not alone, we are not alone. Let’s talk about anxiety in all of its many facets. Share your experiences. Bring light to a subject kept in the dark. Your vulnerability could help someone from suffering in silence. I believe talking about anxiety is imperative.

So, anxiety–let’s talk about it.

About author: Melody Lipford

I grew up in the United States, specifically in the Appalachian Mountains. I grew up with humble beginnings and always strived to be the first one in my family to graduate college. As a recent college graduate of Emory & Henry College, it is safe to say I achieved that goal.

However, my adolescence and college years were not free of anxiety and depression that comes not only with that goal, but also were mental illnesses I had suffered from since childhood. Through it all,  I have learned self-care and have strived to use my love of writing to break the stigmas that encompass such a common subject such as mental health.

I look forward to doing this at Home of Passion and invite readers to start this discussion in their own lives. Let’s end the stigma together.

Find me on instagram @melodyrose9

About author: Melody Lipford

I grew up in the United States, specifically in the Appalachian Mountains. I grew up with humble beginnings and always strived to be the first one in my family to graduate college. As a recent college graduate of Emory & Henry College, it is safe to say I achieved that goal.

However, my adolescence and college years were not free of anxiety and depression that comes not only with that goal, but also were mental illnesses I had suffered from since childhood. Through it all,  I have learned self-care and have strived to use my love of writing to break the stigmas that encompass such a common subject such as mental health.

I look forward to doing this at Home of Passion and invite readers to start this discussion in their own lives. Let’s end the stigma together.

Find me on instagram @melodyrose9