Anonymous
Photo by Jalencia Pouge.
If you’re reading this, don’t let your anxiety define you.
I’ve spent so many years allowing my anxiety to control me. Ever since middle school, it’s felt like this overbearing weight over me. Up until just recently, I didn’t think that I would ever get to experience what life was like without it.
My heart would race as soon as I entered a classroom, my hands would get clammy before having to introduce myself, and I’d spend time rehearsing what I was going to say before conversations. When freshman year came around, my anxiety worsened. Suddenly, there were deadlines stacked on top of each other, a college campus filled with strangers, and the constant pressure to make every moment count.
I dreaded going to class, and as a result, I’d typically sit in the most inconspicuous of places so that I wouldn’t draw any attention to myself. I feared that I’d never make any friends and I’d go through all four years of my college career just going through the motions.
Things began to turn around for me when I decided to seek help. I’d gone to therapy in the past, but the idea of returning still scared me. With each appointment, I began to learn new things about myself and my anxiety. The most important of which, was that anxiety doesn’t automatically mean something bad is going to happen. My body has been trained to perceive normal events like walking into a crowded building, as a serious threat. And while that’s exhausting to deal with, I’ve also learned how to push through moments where I’d much rather turn around and run.
Another way that I cope with my anxiety is writing down or talking about my fears aloud. It allows me to stop and reflect on what I’m thinking and feeling, and to ask myself if my current level of anxiety matches the situation. There’s so much comfort in knowing you don’t have to run and hide just because your anxiety tells you to. We still have the power to show up each day, even if our hands are shaking. So, if you’re reading this and you’re struggling, I want you to remember that your anxiety doesn’t define you. Even on the days where your voice won’t stop shaking, and your chest feels tight, never stop showing up. There is strength in every small step forward.
Anonymous, University of South Carolina
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