Anxiety as an Asset | Essie Gonzsen | TEDxStGeorge

TL;DR

Anxiety transforms into an asset through meditation, therapy, and self-belief, enabling personal growth and success.

Transcript

[Applause] I'm sure many of you can relate or have experienced this at one time or another racing heart upset stomach parched mouth maybe even a headache yes but imagine experiencing all of that all at once every single day let me take you back to my first experience of feeling this way I'm 7 years old my coat zipped up my backpack's on and it's ti... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Childhood anxiety diagnosis led to a lifelong struggle with generalized anxiety disorder.
• 🤳 Support from a mentor instilled self-belief in pursuing a teaching career.
• 🧘 Silent retreat in Thailand introduced transformative meditation practices.
• 📼 Therapy in adulthood shifted the perspective on anxiety from a hindrance to an asset.
• 🔇 Using anxiety as a driving force, the speaker attained personal growth and success.
• 😨 Overcoming fears and stepping into opportunities became possible through self-belief.
• 😨 Embracing curiosity and authenticity facilitated facing fears and personal evolution.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the speaker's anxiety manifest during childhood?

The speaker experienced constant worry and stress, interfering with daily life, leading to a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder in first and second grade.

Q: What pivotal moment helped the speaker overcome anxiety?

Meeting a supportive individual, Kathy Hill, who believed in the speaker's potential and guided them towards pursuing a career in teaching, instilling self-belief.

Q: How did a silent retreat in Thailand impact the speaker's journey?

The silent retreat provided a transformative experience, introducing meditation practices that offered clarity and relief from anxiety, shaping the speaker's outlook on life.

Q: How did therapy in adulthood change the speaker's perspective on anxiety?

Therapy helped the speaker differentiate themselves from anxiety, empowering them to control anxiety's influence and use it as a driving force for personal growth and success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Speaker shares childhood anxiety journey and diagnosis.

• Overcomes anxiety through therapy, meditation, and self-belief.

• Transforms anxiety into an asset, achieving personal growth and success.