6 Things That Made Me a Less Anxious Person

TL;DR

Anxiety is a constant presence, but accepting it and finding coping mechanisms can help in managing its effects.

Transcript

You know the feeling of waiting for an important phone call? Or someone saying “we need to talk”, or almost slipping but managing to catch yourself? Anxiety, to me, is feeling like that… all the time. Like an elephant sitting on my chest. I can feel every heartbeat, breathing feels tight, my body feels tense. I can’t relax, I’m nervous, panicky, ev... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Anxiety can feel like a constant presence, causing physical and emotional symptoms.
• 🫵 Accepting anxiety and viewing it as an overprotective friend can help in managing its effects.
• 🧘 Meditation is a useful tool for finding calm and centering oneself.
• 🫠 Reading fiction can provide an escape from personal worries and offer a different perspective.
• 😃 Curating the digital environment and consuming media that brings joy and inspiration can positively impact mental health.
• ✌️ Surrounding oneself with visual beauty in the physical environment can contribute to a sense of peace and well-being.
• 🥹 Practicing gratitude and focusing on simple, everyday pleasures can help combat feelings of being unaccomplished or stressed.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the author view their anxiety?

The author views anxiety as an overprotective friend that is trying to keep them safe, even though it sometimes gets it wrong.

Q: Does the author's anxiety get worse over time?

Yes, the author mentions that their anxiety has become more intense over the years, especially when dealing with significant life questions.

Q: How has meditation helped the author?

Meditation has made the author less emotionally reactive, more present, and an overall more pleasant person. It brings them a sense of calm and center.

Q: How does the author curate their digital environment?

The author unfollowed everyone on Instagram and only re-follows accounts that post content they find inspiring, cool, or aspirational.

Q: Why does the author prioritize beautifying their physical environment?

The author finds beauty and aesthetic experiences to be calming and stress-reducing. They surround themselves with meaningful and visually appealing things.

Q: What does the author consider when choosing their daily activities?

The author thinks about the things they would do if they had one more day to live, which includes taking walks in nature, spending quality time with loved ones, and enjoying good meals.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author describes the constant presence of anxiety, feeling tense, and unable to relax.

• The author expresses disappointment in not being able to overcome anxiety as they age and considers the big questions in life such as having children and pursuing a career in acting.

• Meditation, reading fiction, curating the digital environment, beautifying the physical environment, and practicing gratitude are mentioned as ways to cope with anxiety.