Suffering from anxiety

When I visited Subway recently, it brought back memories of how challenging it was for me to dine there during high school.

The task proved challenging as I couldn't simply select an item from the menu; instead, I was required to answer numerous inquiries regarding my preferences for the type of boat, bread, toppings, sauce, and spices. The abundance of questions and choices made it overwhelming, leaving me uncertain about how to proceed without making a mistake or saying the wrong thing. I felt unsure about the appropriate course of action.

It has been just three years since I used to feel anxious in my stomach when heading to work. This wasn't due to any issues at work or with the people there. However, I spent the entire day sitting at my desk, feeling anxious that I lacked the intelligence to complete my assignments. That I wasn't adequate or sufficient in some way. Consequently, I spent my days consumed by worry and negative thoughts. It is no surprise that I felt unwell because of it.

It wasn't until I sat at Subway this week that I truly grasped the extent of my nervousness. Living with anxiety for so long, I never understood that things could and should be different. Everyday tasks always felt challenging for me, whether it was going to a new location or trying something unfamiliar like visiting Subway or shopping for a new phone.

Being tasked with something new put me in uncharted territory, leaving me unable to predict the outcome. I couldn't fully prepare to guarantee my safety. I learned from others, from literature, and from my own experiences that life is inherently challenging. Despite its difficulties, I knew that perseverance and hard work were key to overcoming them.

I am grateful to have discovered that this is not true. Life is not difficult, but rather enjoyable. Life is beautiful and simple. It all depends on how one chooses to see it. I now understand that I went through severe anxiety, but such extreme anxiety is not a common occurrence.

Anxiety is not an innate trait that you are born with and must live with forever. If you have acquired anxiety through learning, it also implies that you have the ability to unlearn it.

Anxiety is simply a result of our thoughts spiralling out of control. It's as straightforward as that. You have the power to select your thoughts and determine whether you perceive the world as a dreadful place where everything that can go wrong, indeed goes wrong.

Alternatively, you can opt to have faith in yourself and your surroundings, believing that no matter what occurs, everything will turn out alright. You have the ability to cease constant worrying. Ultimately, the choice is yours whether to tear yourself down or to empower yourself.

You can decide to reach out to a professional for assistance in managing your anxiety. Don't accept a life that is consistently challenging like this.