Anxiety, mom's spaghetti

Anxiety is a tricky little frick that likes to plague its victims in the most inconvenient of times. I might not fully understand every aspect of it, but here's some thoughts I wanted to get out on the matter:

1. It doesn't make sense. I don't know how much emphasis I can put on this but it doesn't have to make sense. Did you spend the first two months of your relationship as a bundle of stress over the thought that you could screw up or your significant other would get bored or any number of illogical worries that you couldn't explain and that were brought on for no reason? Buddy, so did I. Does the thought of driving in a storm cause you chest pain when you've never wrecked? Does having to talk to a stranger make your hands/voice shake and your heart race? Does a room full people immediately cause you to panic and want to run away? Is there any number of other situations or general worries that weigh on you day in and day out? It's okay. There's no foundation for your body to go into flight mode, but it does. It doesn't mean you're broken, it doesn't mean you're weak. Your nervous system might be a bit more sensitive, sure, but it's not your fault. There doesn't have to be a reason for you to feel this way. They're your feelings and they're valid. Your brain likes to throw the worst possible scenarios at you. Anxiety is illogical, it doesn't have to have a basis. You don't have to be able to explain it. And that's okay.

2. If you have a person in your life that makes these anxious events a little bit easier, let them know. They can be your security blanket, there's nothing wrong with that. It's not shameful to need someone, you don't have to be the rock all the time. If they help you, that's awesome! They must be pretty worth it, whether it's a best friend or a family member or the one you're dating. 

3. You don't have to put yourself in the situations that cause your anxiety just to please someone else. Take care of yourself and your mental health. You deserve to be happy. They should understand that.

4. Find the good things that help relax you. Painting, drawing, writing, dancing, sports, projects. Have those healthy outlets. If it makes you happy, do it. Well, as long as it's beneficial to your health. Please don't use drugs or alcohol or anything harmful to yourself to make yourself feel better. That creates a whole other problem that you don't need in your life.

5. Anxiety is an illogical little demon that doesn't need a reason to torment you.

You got this, kid. Remember to breathe. I believe in you.

-Shelby