Question Your Anxiety
Anxiety. By definition, a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome -- and for many, something to be ashamed of. Quick reminder that you're unique, you're brilliant, you're beautiful, you're strong. You are worthy. You are enough. "Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines." -- but you, you're not a problem. You're deserving of support. Best of luck!
If possible, I'd like you to share one thing that anxiety has done to you. Then question it -- ask why why why until you get to the bottom, and then, like Cady Heron said, "suck all your poison out of your life". If you're comfortable, let your problems out, and share them here. I promise not to judge, and I hope whoever chooses to reply to others' posts can do the same. All I ask is that you maintain a respect for the people around you -- oh, and that you share this with whoever you feel would benefit from it.
Either that, or share something anxiety has done for you. Maybe something good, something that came out of all that worrying -- often I've found myself relieved because something wasn't as bad as I'd thought, and then I ended up having a good day. Perhaps that's happened to you, too? Then question that -- ask yourself how it helped you, why it got to you in the first place.
But of course, it's up to you.
@AliceAllAlone @Soleena @magicalStrawberry88 @courageousNatural63 @Wildatheart88 @huggerofcats @countrygirl1231 @IllusoryCorrelations @jr50 @lovingBanana5204 @Mellietronx @WhiteBearClub @blossombreathe
@windflowers
First of all:
<often I've found myself relieved because something wasn't as bad as I'd thought, and then I ended up having a good day. Perhaps that's happened to you, too? >
The answer is yes, many many times it was good to feel relief than things weren't as catastrophic as I imagined them to be.
Also, what has anxiety done for me?
It made me more introverted than I already was. And that's the only positive thing I can think of right now!
@WhiteBearClub
i can relate! sometimes setting yourself up for the worse has its advantages, becuase you feel so much more lighter after it actually happens :) that's cool, though! and at least you managed to come up with something, right? that's already enough :) i hope you've been having a great day!
@windflowers Have a great day, too! <3
@windflowers Well anxiety has helped me before I guess, I've been in positions to be able to easily make really bad decisions and decided not to because of the anxiety of just doing them (not the consequences which woulda been bad) so it's not been all bad it's saved me from being stupid a few times :p
@KeananWillListen
yay, that's awesome! i'm glad anxiety prevented you from making bad decisions :) thank you for sharing, and i hope your day will be as amazing(est) as you are XD
@windflowers ah! thank you for this thread. it's making me think. :)
I have been feeling anxious about speaking my feelings to my 12step sponsor. I know I can call her at anytime and she won't judge me, or give feedback unless I ask for it but last week I didn't reach out to her because I got SO depressed, and I felt like part of it was her fault but really it was mine for asking for feedback lol because she talks really fast [and doesn't stop to breathe so I can't butt in and say something before I forget lol], and gets very anxious and stressed trying to think of something to say to me when I ask for feedback, and she just tells me what her sponsor has told her which to someone who is overly sensitive especially with depression like me and feels easily hurt at times by what others say, everything she says can come across as negative to my mind and so I do what she says [part of it to please her though I know that's not part of the principles of a 12 step program] but then I do what other people say, too and I run myself ragged that I forget to listen to my own inner voice, the voice of my wise mind as mentioned here in one of the literature recommended by 7cups.
so, in that respect, it's social anxiety until yesterday I realized, hold on: I can call her and voice my concerns without asking for feedback. I honestly think it'd be better for me to do that for now, I just need to remember to do that and not ask for feedback lol or call when I'm calmer.
@Shanti41
i'm glad that it's (somewhat) helping you! oh gods, that sounds so tough, but you're really brave for continuing on your journey :) i do hope 7cups is able to provide the support you need, though! and yes, perhaps. all the best :)
Anxiety has made me more self-conscious. It has limited me in the sense that I can't enjoy most of what I used to in the past, like even being outside. It has helped me be more aware of myself and my surroundings, though. Still, I wish my brain wouldn't take it over the top and make me panicked all the time.
@IllusoryCorrelations
oh gods, that sounds awful. i'm glad it's helped you in a way, though! i'm sorry your brain does that to you, but you're strong for putting up with it :) i hope you have a wonderful day!
I have found being very anxious about doing something has been helpful, layer on realized that had kept me from making a bad decision
@jr50
hey there, i'm glad anxiety was able to do something for you! i hope you've been having a good day :)
@windflowers Thanks for this idea/prompt!
Anxiety keeps my on my toes...I think that socially, it has made me more aware of what is going on and how people's feelings could be hurt or how they could interpret things different ways. It's also made me quieter.
I guess it's also limited what I think I can do... I don't think I can be a doctor, even though I'd love to, because I'd get too anxious/triggered talking about health problems or the insides of bodies. It stopped me from driving for a while, but I'm working through that now. It also makes me not want to travel anywhere or do activities I consider dangerous, like bike riding or standing next to boiling water on the stove. My brother gets annoyed and thinks I'm overreacting. I guess it's better than it used to be, though...? I think I'm a safer driver than my friends are. eh this is kinda disjointed sorry
@lovingBanana5204
thank you for taking the time/effort to respond to it!
and that's awesome! not too sure about the quiet thing, but at least it's helped you become more observant XD i can see how it'd keep you on your toes, though. and if that's what you want, go for it! it may be tough, but i'm sure you can do anything you put your mind too -- and feel free to come to us any time for support :) i'm glad you're working through those, by the way -- that's incredibly brave and brilliant of you! i'm glad it's better, but at least you put safety first, which is amazing. and please don't apologise, it's fine :p
@windflowers 
Yeah, I guess anxiety has helped me in some ways! Somehow hearing you say it makes me believe it more than I did when I wrote it, even though it's the same thing.
Aww, thanks for the encouragement. I really wanted to be a doctor for some time, but I'm not sure anymore. I'm still figuring out what I want to do. :)
Thanks!
@lovingBanana5204
aw, i'm glad! and thank you :)
I'll have time show my friend this. Anxiety is slowly ruining her life and she is afaraid to get help.
@kindDog80
hey there, i'm sorry your friend is feeling that way but i'm glad you're trying to support her :) i hope your day's been wonderful!
