The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once described anxiety as the dizziness of freedom. One person’s lifelong experience with persistent anxiety has led to the identification of several lessons learned from the condition.
The individual clarifies that this is not an endorsement of anxiety, nor a discussion of positive thinking or so-called toxic positivity. Instead, it is a recounting of insights gained from a condition that remains present, sometimes spiking to severe levels.
An early memory of anxiety dates back to childhood in the 1980s. During an unsupervised football game, another child’s pants were pulled down, resulting in embarrassment. The fear of this happening led to physical measures to secure clothing and feelings of sickness before daily activities. At the time, such feelings were not widely recognized as anxiety.
The anxiety has become more noticeable in recent years, seemingly worsening after bouts of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. This has led to a more mindful approach to managing it.
Presence
The intense focus demanded by high anxiety forces a person to be completely rooted in the present moment. In that state, mundane activities become impossible. This presence allows for observation of how physical sensations are interpreted by the mind to create the emotional experience of anxiety.
Control
Anxiety provides a stark lesson in control. It highlights that while the triggers of anxiety often cannot be controlled, the response to them can be. This process can also shift focus to concepts larger than oneself, underscoring personal limitations.
Habits and Boundaries
When feeling well, healthy habits and personal boundaries can deteriorate. Anxiety serves as a reminder that unhealthy patterns, including tolerating toxic relationships, have consequences. Its spikes often prompt a corrective “cleaning house” of these elements.
Growth
After making corrections, anxiety can direct attention toward new projects and growth-oriented steps. For this individual, it influenced a career shift from counseling to less stressful life coaching and prompted positive changes in diet and exercise.
Gentleness
Feeling fragile during anxious periods has fostered a greater understanding of how blunt communication can affect others. This has contributed to a conscious effort to interact with more gentleness and care.
Slowing Down
Anxiety initially prompts quick decisions for relief, but these are often poor choices with long-term consequences. The learned response is to slow down, be intentional, and discuss decisions with others. It has emphasized that asking for help is beneficial.
Speeding Up
Conversely, anxiety can also motivate action. A quote from folk singer Joan Baez states, “Action is the antidote to anxiety.” For certain anxiety-provoking tasks, like phone calls, taking prompt action is the preferred method to move past the discomfort.
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting millions of adults annually according to national health institutes. While professional treatment is often recommended, personal narratives about managing the condition contribute to a broader public understanding of its daily impact.
