Lately, I seem to be caught up in an anxiety spiral. You know the ones I mean: you have nothing really to worry about, yet that fluttering feeling in your chest persists, attaching itself to anything it can.
It’s an exhausting way to live; all that thinking wears you down. But breaking out of it is always a lot harder than it should be.
You know that your fears are illogical or extreme, but you can’t seem to shake them. In fact, they often get worse. Before you know it, you realise you’re jumping from one ridiculous worry to another, getting more and more stressed with every thought that pops into your head.
Sadly, it’s a symptom of modern life. We have such busy lives, all full of outside stimuli – TV, radio, internet, news etc. – that we consume without pause.
We allow ourselves to absorb too much of the outside world’s anxiety and pain, to set too many goals in our quest for perfection, to always strive for more. It just isn’t healthy.
But what can we do to stop?
My biggest problem is spending too much time in my own head, where minor issues become magnified.
I’m not going to tell you how to stop worrying. I wish I knew the secret. There are lots of things you can try, but there is no easy answer, especially if you’re a sensitive soul and prone to anxiety. You can only try to build new habits and recognise your triggers.
But don’t feel like you’re alone, or broken, or foolish. You’re doing the best you can. Just like we all are.
Emma says
Great post. I feel the same. You’re right we’re all just trying to do the best we can.
Amy Lord says
Thanks Emma!