19. What anxiety can teach us...

​19.

Anxiety is unpleasant. But it is also an activator. It often shows us there is an action we need to take.

Anxiety is often seen as something to avoid or escape, to manage. We even judge ourselves and others on the ability to handle it. But anxiety - although it feels wildly unpleasant in our body, is actually an activator - a signal that there’s something important requiring our attention.

Instead of being a purely negative experience, anxiety can show us areas of our lives that need action or change. When we feel anxious, it’s usually because we care about an outcome, a person, or a situation. This emotional response is our body’s way of saying, “Pay attention to this.”

Now, we can use anxiety in that process. It may show us that there are actions we are avoiding to take, or that there are beliefs that we need to change, or even more often - that we have disconnected with ourselves. Research has shown that anxiety can enhance focus and increase our awareness of unmet needs or unresolved issues (Barlow, 2002). For example, anxiety before a presentation might be a sign that we need to prepare more thoroughly, or anxiety about a relationship could point to unresolved communication issues that need addressing.

It is a mastery to sit in the message of that and yet, take the necessary actions with calmness. These actions may be bringing our focus back to the present moment, acknowledging the beauty of it, or committing to taking an action towards resolving the issue.

Rather than fighting anxiety, we can view it as a signal for action, guiding us to take steps that align with our values and goals. By responding consciously, we turn anxiety from a source of stress into a catalyst for growth.

That sounds like building coping strategies and mechanisms.
          Yes, but we want to thrive, not just cope. And this is how we can.