Anxiety? Me? I DON’T THINK SO!
Hello, Dear One
Here are some thoughts I would like to share with you. You are precious, valuable, unique, priceless, and worthy of five minutes of self-care time! You are a masterpiece!
The human experience consists of a circular relationship between behavior (how we act), thoughts (what we believe), and emotions (how we feel). Not everyone has the natural or learned ability to identify their own experience, much less recognize anxiety. Some people carry the heavy burden of anxious symptoms on a daily basis, believing it is a standard way of life.
People normalize waking with the suffocating feeling of an elephant sitting on their chest. “It must have been a bad dream!” – they quietly tell themselves while carrying on with daily life.
Some notice the tightness in their rib cage, racing heart, waves of weakness, sweaty hands, dizzy spells, and dry mouth. ”It will go away. This, too, shall pass. I just have to put my head down and get it done… Everyone goes through this!” – they use this mantra to normalize their experience.
Oftentimes, childhood experiences lead to being conditioned to ignore signs and symptoms of anxiety. When circumstances and events teach children to direct their focus on more “critical” or “important” events (or people), they learn not to recognize the language of their own body. Consequently, they adjust and function with unmet needs. The result? An increased desire to care for others and accept signs and symptoms of anxiety as a normal part of life (high-functioning anxiety).
So what can one do??? What can You do?
Increase mindfulness. No, I don’t mean you have to become a yogi! However, I do suggest taking a few minutes each day to listen to your body. Note what you see, hear, smell, feel, and smell. Bring yourself to the present moment, observe your emotions – good or bad – and let them go.
Take time for self-care. This may mean walking, listening to your favorite music, watching a movie, painting, knitting, reading, a hot bath, or playing golf. The possibilities are endless and distinctive to you.
Reach out to a professional. Clinicians can help you identify healthy coping skills tailored and specific to you designed to reduce or resolve your symptoms.
The counseling process is much like gazing into a mirror. While honing their skills, amateur artists frequently struggle to find the “missing charm” of a piece they are working on, constantly searching for their “perceived imperfections.” Seasoned artists (teachers) counsel them to hold their artwork in front of the mirror. The reflection they see unveils the overlooked and otherwise hidden needed adjustments, leading to the artist’s “Aha! moment.” This moment is the beginning of valuable growth in art and healing in the therapy room.
You are the artist, and the counselor is the mirror. You are also a Masterpiece!
There is a hidden Rembrandt in all of us! I hope you find yours, dear one!