“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest taken between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum
Anxiety is a bitch. Plain and simple. Anxiety is something I have dealt with, in one capacity or another, my entire life. I know I am not alone in this! I believe that some of us are born with more anxiety-prone tendencies than others and are more anxious in nature. However, I also believe that the world we live in basically promotes stress and anxiety.
If you struggle with anxiety, you are definitely not alone! It’s almost impossible to not be stressed by something or another these days. In the age of social media, the internet and instant information we are constantly being bombarded with news stories, politics, advice, and stories on a continuous loop, 24/7. The majority of stuff we see is negative and daunting. We are also watching everyone else’s highlight reel on the daily and it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole of feeling like we are not good enough, are behind in life or that somehow we don’t measure up. We may feel like we need to to do better, be better and be perfect. We may feel like we aren’t good enough.
GAH! I’m feeling anxious just talking about all of this. But my point is this: Life is hard enough without the added stress of the world we live in, plus the unrealistic expectations social media often provides. Of course we fail to meet these crazy expectations, which can easily contribute to our self esteem, stress and anxiety issues. No wonder so many people struggle with anxiety!
It’s also possible to be anxious for seemingly no reason. When you’re prone to being anxious your mind likes to find anything and everything to worry about. It’s easy to get stuck in your head and always focus on the negative. To over-think and obsess.
Anxiety is tough, but I am here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way!
You are not your anxiety!
Anxiety is something I know all too well. I know what it feels like when your mind just won’t quit and will find anything and everything to worry about. It’s exhausting and often leaves you feeling paralyzed.
For so many years my thoughts and anxiety controlled my life. Every decision I made, every conversation I had, every plan, every thought, every day. Everything from what shampoo to use in the shower that morning to what to eat for breakfast to what clothes to wear. I remember I used to feel anxious or upset when I realized I wasn’t worrying about something. Like I forgot what I was supposed to be worried about. And it was somehow a problem. Umm…What? How messed up is that?
For years I tried different therapy and medications, but none of that seemed to help. In a way, I gave up. Surrendered to the fact that this was my normal. I thought it was just who I was and how I was. Me and my anxiety were one and the same. A package deal. I had no idea life could be any other way. That I could be any other way.
Then one day (per recommendation of my amazing, mama!) I went to a yoga class. She heard yoga was good for anxiety. I figured I had nothing to lose! During that yoga class it was the first time EVER that my mind was calm. My thoughts weren’t racing. I felt quiet and peaceful. I was amazed! I could barely believe it. My curiosity was peaked and so I continued to practice regularly. I also started exploring meditation – with the same result. I learned that I am separate from my thoughts. I learned how to be present.
By incorporating yoga and mediation into my life the result was a more peaceful mind and heart. My anxiety started to ease up. My life was changing. I was changing! I finally realized that I am not my anxiety.
The tools I gained from my own practice and the shifts in my anxiety and my life are what inspired me to become a yoga teacher. I knew that if these amazing practices could help me (seemingly someone who was beyond help), then I KNEW it could help so many others. I felt called to teach with the hope that I would be able to help people learn these amazing tools to help reduce their stress and anxiety. While practice yoga or meditating can be helpful and are a huge part of what helped me — there are also so many other, simple tools I learned along the way that helped me.
Life will be stressful from time to time, or things will happen that are our of our control. That is life! There will always be the good and the bad and that’s okay. There will always be things to worry about, but there IS another way. Sometimes your anxiety feels like it’s in the driver’s seat, but there IS another way. You are not your anxiety! There are practices and tools you can use to help manage your anxiety so it no longer controls you.
I want to share these amazing tools with the world, so I created a free guide for you called ‘Being Peacefully Present: Four Ways to Calm Your Mind Right Now’.
I am beyond excited to share this guide with you! This guide includes my four favorite tools to help reduce stress and anxiety. These are tools I use in my own life, every single day. They are simple and effective, and you can literally do them ANYWHERE!
If you are interested in receiving this FREE guide just fill out the form and it will be sent directly to your inbox!
Peacefully Present 