Anxiety as a Superpower

Anxiety is on the rise in 2020. Most of us feel it everyday to varying degrees. It can be deliberating and defeating to some people and to others it can feel like a dark shadow always looking over your shoulder. 

If you experience anxiety, what you feel is unique to you, as well as the reasons WHY you feel it in the first place.

I am going to break down a simple way to look at anxiety (we don’t need to complicate anything more than it already is right?!) and then I will provide you with a simple reframe in thinking to help how you approach anxiety in your life.

You ready?

Good, because I’m about to lay it all out so you can use it to EMPOWER yourself!

Anxiety is one of the only emotions that is a result of your thoughts being in the future. 

Think about it- do you have anxiety over something that happened 10 years ago? Probably not! Usually unwanted emotions that stem from past thinking are anger, regret, resentment, etc.

Here’s an example…lets say you are anxious about a future event that has yet to play out. If we observe your thinking about this event while you are feeling anxious, you would most likely be thinking of what could go wrong. You could be drawing up the images in your head or the sounds that you would hear if this event went horribly wrong. Remember this event hasn’t happened yet, so how do you know that it’s going to go wrong?! You don’t!

Here is a reframe that you can try instead of defaulting to what you have been doing in the past (which may not be the most effective way of thinking): what if anxiety was just a sign from your subconscious mind to redirect your thoughts?

Focus=power. If you focus on what you DON’T want, of course you will feel some sort of unwanted feeling! 

All you need to do is play around with that idea, and ask yourself that ‘what if’ question.… 

This reframe helps because instead of focusing on what you DON’T want to do/have/happen, etc., you focus on what you DO. 

If anxiety was just a sign to shift your focus, that means you have your own personal navigation system within you! Anxiety can be your superpower if you think of it as a helper and not a hinderer. 

Give this a go the next time you feel a little anxious & let me know how it helps you! 

*Note that this post is NOT to be used as replacement for working with a licensed mental health professional. This is a generalized discussion and your health is best handled on an individualized basis.  If you are in need of support with anxiety, please reach out for referrals.