Weekly Prompt #26: Write a letter to your anxiety
Welcome back all, I hope you are all being easy on yourself this week.
Last week we discussed: What are your biggest anxieties about the holidays? Thank you to all who participated and shared your thoughts with us. I appreciate you all. I hope all who may read it find it helpful too. If anyone hasn't shared yet or experienced any challenges while trying, please share them here and I look forward to reading and discussing them with you.
This week's prompt: Write a letter about your anxiety. What would you tell it? How would you like it to behave?
@ASilentObserver A Letter to Anxiety - An Example!
Dearest Anxiety,
You have been around for as long as I can remember, a constant buzzing beneath my skin, a shadow flickering at the edges of my vision. Sometimes, you are a whisper, a doubt gnawing at my confidence. Other times, you are a roar, a tidal wave crashing over me, pulling me under with your relentless fear.
I used to resent you, curse your existence. You stole my joy, choked my laughter, and kept me from reaching for the things I dreamed of. You turned simple errands into daunting tasks and social gatherings into battlefields. You turned me inward, afraid of my own shadow, a prisoner in my mind.
But lately, I have been trying to see you differently. Maybe you are not the enemy, just a scared part of me? Maybe you trying to keep me safe in a world that feels overwhelming. Maybe your warnings, though often inaccurate, are born from a desire to protect me from potential harm. IDK, I am thinking and want you to help me understand you. Okay?
So, here is the thing, Anxiety: I get it. You mean well, in your twisted way. But your methods are outdated, your grip too tight. We need a new deal, a truce. Okay?
I want you to know that I am strong. I can handle challenges, and navigate uncertainty. I have people who support me and who believe in me. You don't need to carry the weight of everything alone. So I am asking you to step back and let me breathe. Let me feel the thrill of new experiences, the warmth of connection, the joy of simply being alive.
I still need you, in a way. Your vigilance can be sharp, and your instincts are sometimes keen. But I want you to be a gentle advisor, not a tyrannical ruler. A voice of caution, not a deafening alarm. So let's learn to work together, Anxiety.
So, what do you say? Are you ready to turn down the volume, and release the reins a little? I'm ready to meet you halfway, Anxiety. Let's see what a world with less fear and more hope looks like.
Yours with determination,
Obs
@ASilentObserver hugs you tightly ❤
Beautifully written :)
@ASilentObserver I love this letter!
@ASilentObserver dear anxiety demon,
I have dreams, that one day I'll be ok to go exploring the outside world, but so far all my hopes of this you have crushed. But I'm still gonna hold on to the faith in 'oneday - you won't take my dreams away completely. One day I'll be comfortable in my own body, and be able to look people in the eyes when I talk to them. And have confidence to speak out. Your only a demon in my head and soon you'll just be a memory
@Tinywhisper11 Thank you for sharing your letter. It sounds like anxiety has been holding you back from things you care about. Your strengths and dreams reside within, and I know you will continue persevering toward the life you desire. <3 I believe in you, tiny
@ASilentObserver ❤❤ thankyou ❤❤
@ASilentObserver
Dear unwanted anxiety,
I am writing to you today to serve notice on you that you must vacate the premises. You have 24 hours before this notice will be legally enforced. You have been charged with the following breaches:
1. Failure to allow this person to release all anxiety from her body and mind.
2. You have disrupted her ability to feel peaceful and calm.
3. You have spread the disease of Obsessive-compulsive conditions that keeps her enslaved to things unaccomplisable.
4. You have failed to cease and desist When asked.
For these reasons, legal actions have been and will be implemented within 24 hours. We would advise that you begin the process of removing all of your belongings from this residence immediately.
Yours sincerely, The Eractorcators.
@WorkingitThrough2 ❤❤ that's the best note ever, I'm gonna steal yours ❤ watch out anxiety, we are coming!
@Tinywhisper11
Tiny use any parts of it that you like no problem❤️.Did you get what you wanted from Santa?
I did not but it is ok😊
@WorkingitThrough2 😞 are you ok? How come you had a bad xmas??
@WorkingitThrough2 Thank you for sharing this letter. It sounds like the anxiety has been difficult to cope with. I can sense your frustration with the situation. It is understandable to want relief from suffering. Continuing with compassion and care for yourself during this challenging time is so important. I am rooting for you, Working and I believe in you.
@ASilentObserver
Dear Anxiety,
You have been reoccurring guest for me time to time. I take you but we should start having time without each other as well. I know you are always worried for me and try to pre warn me for upcoming disasters that may or may not happen. I would suggest that we should stop living on edge and let this things roll as they should without worrying. We can be happy if we wish to. We are in this journey and you're integral part of me, let's give happiness and positivity a chance to accompany us as well.
Regards,
Enigmaticpanda4152
@enigmaticpanda4152 Thank you for sharing your letter with us, Enigma. It sounds like your anxiety sometimes gets in the way of feeling happy and at ease. I am glad you recognized anxiety is simply trying to protect you, while also seeing the importance of living freely without constant worry. Maintaining perspective and balance is so important for our well-being. You are self-aware and willing to nurture understanding within yourself. We are all here with you in this. How does it make you feel to express your thoughts to anxiety in this way?
@ASilentObserver
It feels good actually. Self resilience.
Thanks Obs for creating this post and giving us opportunity to share.
@enigmaticpanda4152 I am glad you liked it.
Dear Anxiety,
You suck. I hate you. I hate the way you make me feel on a daily basis. I hate that you suck the joy from everyday life. I hate that you interfere with my dreams and my future wishes. You are ruining my relationships. You are ruining my health. You make everything I do each day so very difficult.
I do not want you in my life anymore. Go away. Far away. To some deep, dark pit from which you can never escape. I make this solemn promise that I will do everything, every day, whatever it takes to get rid of you. To walk away happy, calm, and enjoying the rest of my life.
Now, shove off.
@thoughtfulmomma Thank you for sharing this letter with us, Momma. It sounds like your anxiety has caused a lot of pain and difficulty in your life. I can understand why you would want relief from such suffering. Our emotions often want quick fixes, but true healing is a journey. You are determined to walk a happier path. How are you feeling after writing it out?
Dear Anxiety,
Why do you always come uninvited? If I wanted you I would’ve called. You have the spare key to my mind and thoughts and fill it with worries and concerns. I will likely not drown in a bathtub. I likely won’t get into a car crash. I will likely not get shot. You come and go as you please and don’t care how I am affected by your presence. I would like you to go on a much needed vacation to sort out YOUR worries and concerns. I would like to be able to live my life and have ACTUAL friends without worrying if they secretly hate me. I would like to have a healthy relationship with my feelings and it doesn’t make sense for you constantly be in control of them. I wish I could enjoy everyday activities without worrying how I could screw it up or say the wrong thing. The thoughts you place in my mind aren’t helpful AT ALL. You replay the moments in which I screwed up and shame me for being so incompetent. I am only human. As much as I wish I could go back in time I can’t. I would like you to leave me alone and find someone else’s life to take control of.
Best of wishes on your much needed vacation,
Ramona
@RamonaFlowers27 It sounds like anxiety has been causing you a lot of distress. Thank you for reflecting on your feelings in the letter to expressing what you have been experiencing. I can understand wanting some relief from constant worrying. You mentioned wishing to enjoy everyday activities and relationships without feeling so out of control of your thoughts. It is courageous that you are facing these challenges head-on. I hope that in time, with compassion for yourself, you will find ways of living freely that honor both your well-being and true self. You have strength within you. We are all rooting for you, Ramona
@ASilentObserver
Funnily enough, I see my anxiety as the child version of myself. That's when I started having panic attacks as a kid, because I was so scared. I don't hate my anxiety, but in my mind I guess I understand it. Anxiety tries to protect you in an unnecessary way, at least to me. So, I want to reassure my anxiety that I'm safe now, because I wasn't before.
Dear Anxiety
You're scared, you've always been scared. The world can be a scary place and I get that. You were young and you just wanted to be safe. A lot happened back then and a lot of it hurt in indescribable ways. However, hiding away won't change the past and it doesn't help our future. You don't want to get hurt again and neither do I, but we won't grow either. Life is about falling down, making mistakes, but it's also about getting back up and continuing to try. Some of the best people we've met came after one of our biggest falls. We can find friends. We can make connections. We can be proud of ourselves. We deserve it. Love, affection, compassion we can have that and we deserve it. I'm terrified, but I'm also hopeful we'll get out of this together.
@JollyRacher
I really love your letter. It is so inspiring❤️. Thank you😊
@JollyRacher Thank you for sharing this heartfelt letter. It takes courage to face our fears and anxieties in this way. You are determined to overcome the challenges of the past and continue moving forward in life. Your hope for the future comes through strongly. I am glad you have the hope that you and your anxiety can get through this together. You deserve all support and care. How does writing this letter make you feel?
@ASilentObserver
I think the reason I don't really see my anxiety in a bad light is probably because of my current environment. I am terrified a lot of the time, I need to be on edge. I need to be vigilant or I'll get in the crosshairs of an argument or fight. So, as bad as it can be for me sometimes it's a result of where I am. This is going to sound weird but I feel like me and my anxiety are in the same boat. We're both scared, we're both trying to get out of this alive so in the heat of the moment we joined forces. XD
@JollyRacher It sounds like you are in a difficult environment that makes you feel you need to be constantly on edge for safety. Being in that state of vigilance and anxiety all the time can feel exhausting. You are not alone in feeling this way, and there are always people who want to help.
@ASilentObserver
Dear anxiety,
Why can't you leave me alone. You've ruined everything for me, you've ruined my relationships and bonds, you ruined my ability to speak up. You've made me cower into a corner and made me fear the stare of another person. You follow me everywhere, lingering like a dark cloud just waiting to pour down on me. You destroyed my confidence, you hurt me and now I can't be fixed. I'm scared of the thought of speaking or hanging around people, I'm scared of trying anything new, I'm scared of failure. I'm afraid of myself and the thoughts you give me. I'm terrified of what I've become. You've done this to me. You destroyed me, you broke me and the child I was. You ruined the way I see myself, you messed with my head and made me do unspeakable things to myself. You ruined everything for me. I can never be the same again. Because your always there,slowly taking over every inch of my mind, body and conscious. Your breaking me and I can't stop you. Your breaking me and I have to just sit and feel what you're doing to me. I wish I could shout at you,I wish I could tell you how horrible you are, ruining everything for me, I wish you would've just left me alone,I wish I could hide from myself because now I'm terrified of what you've done to me. I don't recognise myself and neither does anyone else. Look at what you've done. Look and what you did. Why. Why did you do it. why me. Why this. Why are you doing this to me. Why. Why. why. So many questions you or me can't seem to answer. All I can say is why. What did I do for this. I want you to leave but yet I don't. I don't want to feel like this any more but I want you to stay so I know there's something wrong and I'm not going crazy. I want you to leave me but yet I've found a sort of comfort. And I hate myself for doing so. Why would I find comfort in a mo after like you. Who destroys anything beautiful that they touch. I used to be so full of life, so carefree. And now? Now i feel empty and drained, now I hate the idea of life, now I question every glance sent my way, and worry if I look weird, or if I'm doing something wrong, or maybe they just don't like me, or maybe they're even making fun of me. It's not a fun thing to feel something like a snake of fear, anxiousness, anger and worry wrap it's way around my spine and up to my throat slowly squeezing until it's like my lungs are being crushed and I can't breathe in a bathroom stall. I hate you so much. I hate you more than I hate myself and that says alot. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. Just leave me alone. Please.
@Maevebrookes I sense your anxiety has caused immense suffering. Feeling terrified of oneself and drained of life's joy is painfully lonely. You deserve to feel at peace within. Your feelings are valid, and you have survived challenges many could not endure. Please know you are not alone in this struggle. May I ask, what small acts of self-care have helped you feel seen and soothed, even for brief moments?
@ASilentObserver
Not much soothes me, but sometimes thinking of how I used to be when I was little before everything went downhill, how happy I was and it comforts me a little to remember that I did feel happiness at one point.
@Maevebrookes It is comforting to remember happier times from our childhood when things seemed easier. You have found strength through remembering a time when you felt joy. We are all here with you.
Dear Anxiety,
I understand that the reason why you get so bad is because of the trauma that was endured, and I know it will take time to find a new normal which we are getting too. There has been so many achievements we have made! Lets keep up the good work!
Love, Me
@WinterRose9 That was a thoughtful letter exploring your feelings. You mentioned achievements made - it seems you are learning what helps and doesn't help in finding your way through difficult times. I'm glad you're taking good care of yourself during this journey. What feelings of relief or hope did writing this bring up for you?
@ASilentObserver Dear Anxiety,
I want to understand what my triggers are, I want to understand what you're trying to tell me when you come around, but I never know how to understand you. I've known you since I was 19 but even still I don't understand why you come around.
@chipandale33 Thank you for sharing this letter and your reflections on understanding your anxiety. It sounds like you have experienced anxiety for many years but still feel unsure about its triggers or messages. You also mentioned a desire to understand - is there anything in particular you feel anxiety may be trying to communicate that you don't fully understand yet?
@ASilentObserver I feel as if it's telling me that I've been carrying too much emotional stress and a lot of internal negativity about me as a person. I'm usually always pretty good about getting out and doing something, but I haven't done that at all. And I feel as if my anxiety has been saying HEY you need to plan an outing for yourself because you're long overdue.
@chipandale33 It sounds like your anxiety may be trying to communicate an important message about caring for your well-being. Your anxiety could be nudging you to pay attention to what nurtures you during stressful times.
