Anxiety is the worst feeling ever 😔

@hopefulencounter Well, I was experiencing a bout of anxiety at the mall so I just walked on out of there, got in my car, and blasted music. I shoved candy into my mouth (don't recommend on the daily lol just needed physical things to do). To keep myself occupied, I drove around before heading home and I sang loudly along to the songs. The anxiety only really started to go away when I got home and buried my face into my cat and then talked for at least an hour with my brother about the scientific things I had researched while sitting at the mall- I felt connected, understood, and fulfilled in sharing my passions in a depth and nuanced way. If my brother hadn't been there, I probably would have gotten drunk-

flesh and blood, not paid for, and not rushed human connection is truly the key and it's a pity that it seems to be so scarce these days.

I feel you on the need for validation- I mean, I have the weakness of posting here too lol. 

You got this!

@hopefulencounter That's understandable. Experiencing anxiety is never easy. 
What I usually do is remind myself what the things are that I'm anxious about - they're exactly what you mentioned, not in our control. That helps me focus more on what is in my control - how I feel and react to it. I usually take a step back, and try breathing or becoming aware of the situation, think about it for a while, try to ground myself to my surroundings. Of course, that's easier said than done, but little steps everyday, no matter how small, can lead to big changes.

Hope this helps!

@hopefulencounter

It sounds like you're going through a really tough time, and I want to acknowledge how valid your feelings are. Anxiety can be incredibly overwhelming, especially when it leads to constant worries and doubts. It’s completely normal to seek validation from others, but it’s also important to find ways to validate yourself. One approach is to practice self-compassion—remind yourself that it's okay to feel anxious and that you’re doing your best in a challenging situation.

I'm sorry to hear that you're going through a rough time! Anxiety can be a hard emotion to deal with, especially when frequently worrying about problems. A lot of times when I'm dealing with anxiety these worries cause me to spiral into a more negative thought pattern. What helps me personally is talking to someone I trust about the problem! Most of the time they're able to give me great feedback on the situation, where I realise that some of the time these worries make the situation seem worse. Doesn't change the situation itself, but definitely helps with making me stop worry for a moment ;) 

@hopefulencounter For me personally, anxiety seems to ebb and flow. I know certain times it will be worse and I have to just ride it out. One of my worst places, anxiety-wise, is the grocery store, so I wear earplugs and have a shopping list organized by aisles. One of the reasons I choose the store I choose is that I can look everything up online first and know what aisle things are on. Planning seems to help, but so does minimizing the time I have to spend there. Because having lots of people around makes it all so much worse, I also never go shopping on a weekend. Usually, I go on Friday evenings after the rush hour. This unfortunately means sometimes things are out of stock or the produce isn't as nice, but it works better on balance.

I get anxious when I'm not well-regulated, too, so basically making sure I regulate as well as possible is important. Reducing unpleasant stimulation helps me. I keep lights low and listen to soft music or ASMR through headphones. I'll take a hot bath and/or drink soothing herbal tea, too. And I practice yoga every single day. I have to be really proactive about it, but it's a lot better than it used to be. I hope you find strategies that work for you, too.

@hopefulencounter I'm sorry to hear that your anxiety does not feel validated in your life. It sounds frustrating to try and force yourself to accept circumstances you do not want. Personally, I handle anxiety with a breathing technique called Bellow's Breath that speeds up the breath for a short while. Once I stop, my natural breathing becomes slow and the thoughts trickle in one at a time. I like it because the only thing I force is my breath, everything else comes natural. I hope you're able to find your own way to tackle anxiety. You've already taken the first and second step by addressing the problem and reaching out!

@hopefulencounter Hey, I hear you—seeking validation can feel like a way to ease anxiety, but it’s tough when that’s not always available. I think you're already doing something really important by recognizing the need to accept what you can’t control. For me, when I feel that way, I try to focus on small things that I can control, like breathing techniques or reminding myself that anxiety doesn’t define me. It’s hard, but being kind to yourself during those moments is key :)

Hey I’m always here if you want to reach out!

@hopefulencounter

Hello I hope you are doing well! I understand that dealing with self validation is something that is really overwhelming. Personally I feel like it the lack of self love (I used to have the same issues). The feeling that you are not enough and someone/ some people needs to be there with you, to make you feel complete, is really depressing and overwhelming. But do know that you are not alone in this, we've got your back. And whatever you said is completely valid.