Simple Ways to Cope with Anxiety When “Life is Too Good”
Many of us might have experienced at some point in our lives – that nagging feeling that when something good happens, something bad must be just around the corner. It's like an invisible force that makes us pause in the midst of our joy, questioning when the other shoe will drop. 🥿❓
I get it. I've been there too. It's almost like a reflex, right? The moment success knocks on our door, we start anticipating failure. But here's the thing – life is actually incredible, filled with countless opportunities, beautiful moments, and chances for growth. Yet, this belief, this fear of impending doom, can hold us back from truly relishing these moments.
Have you ever wondered where this fear stems from? Why do we allow the worst-case-scenarios to hijack and overshadow our achievements and happy moments? It's a curious thing because if we stop and look around, there's evidence everywhere that life is, more often than not, good. 🌈
Why does this happen? Because what’s familiar to us are things going wrong. And our mind loves what’s familiar, doesn’t quite like what’s familiar. Just like when you’re getting a little kid to try new food, s/he may first be resistant, but after being exposed to it repeatedly starts to accept the new food and may even develop a liking to it.
I understand the struggle. The fear of success can be paralyzing - what if more is required of me now? What if people expect more from me now? What would happen if my next project is a flop? These thoughts can prevent us from pursuing meaningful relationships, embracing new opportunities, and experiencing personal growth. And worst of all, it can keep us from simply enjoying our lives to the fullest.💔
But guess what? You're not alone in this. Far from it. This fear is more common than you might think. The good news is, acknowledging it is the first step toward overcoming it.
Sometimes, when everything seems to be going well, anxiety can creep in unexpectedly, and cloud joy. I’ve been there, and I understand how overwhelming it can be. The good news is, there are strategies to navigate through these moments of anxiousness and reclaim your peace of mind.
Strategies:
1. Acknowledge any negative thoughts 🤯
Acknowledgment is the first and most crucial key to shifting away from the pattern that binds our happiness to pain. It might seem daunting, but simply noticing those negative thoughts creeping into your mind is a powerful beginning. Imagine it as turning on a light in a dark room; awareness illuminates the path forward.
When I first started building my business, going on social media was a thing I hated. Having to be present online was essential to having people know my brand but I was not comfortable. Even in privacy, I pride myself on being the friend who’s disconnected online because I didn’t like to be constantly sucked into social media. But as a business person I knew showing up online was one of the ways to serve and reach my community.
So, what happens when you acknowledge these thoughts? It becomes easier to refocus. By recognizing the fear and anxiety, you can consciously choose to redirect your attention. It's like steering a ship away from a storm – you take control of your thoughts and guide them toward calmer waters.
2. Take time to breathe 🧘♀️
When we find ourselves in survival mode, our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) kicks in. It’s that fight, flight, or freeze response that floods our body with adrenaline, making us feel anxious and on edge. One of the first things that happens during this response is our breathing becomes shallow and rapid. We might even catch ourselves holding our breath, a natural instinct while we assess our surroundings. But this shallow breathing keeps us locked in that state of anxiety, trapped in the clutches of our SNS. It's like a loop, fueling our stress and making it harder to break free.
So, what's the antidote to this relentless cycle? Deep breathing. It sounds simple, and that’s because it is, but the impact it can have is profound. When we consciously engage in deep breathing, we activate our parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which is like the body’s brake pedal. The PNS promotes a sense of calm, slowing down our heart rate and relaxing our muscles. It’s the switch that shifts us from survival mode to a state of calm, where we can think clearly and respond effectively.
>> Here’s a blog all about the 4-7-8 breathing method, its benefits and how to do it. Read here
3. Reframe your thoughts 💭
Those nagging fears and worries that often grip us, making us believe something terrible is about to happen. It's like a storm of anxiety brewing within us, clouding our judgment and dimming our confidence. Those fears, those feelings of impending doom, they don’t hold any truth. They are imprints from experiences we may not even remember consciously. Yet, they manage to overlay themselves onto our present, hijacking our emotions and clouding our perceptions.
When I first started showing up on social media I felt discomfort, even anxiety and stress - thinking:
Am I doing this right?
Am I using the right hashtags?
Am I even a therapist here.. Trying out these “influencer” stuff..
Searching up other mental wellness accounts had me going on the comparison loop thinking:
Will people be bored of seeing the same content?
Will others who are already following this account find support and strength from mine?
What can you do when these natural fears and worries start to take over? Step back. Take a deep breath. Acknowledge that these thoughts and emotions are merely echoes, not your reality. Echoes from people who have well meaning intentions but often shared as criticism. Instead of allowing these emotions to dictate your reactions, recognize them for what they are – remnants of the past, trying to find a place in your present. By reframing your thoughts, you gain the power to steer the chariot. You can choose not to be carried away by fear; you can choose clarity, confidence, and peace.
4. Make unfamiliar, familiar 🚀
Our minds are naturally inclined to stick to the familiar, even if it doesn’t serve us well. It's like a safety net, a comfort zone that we hesitate to step out of. But here’s the catch: if we always focus on what we know, we'll only ever get what we’ve always got. Real growth lies in embracing the unknown.
This principle applies to happiness as well. Happiness, just like stress, anxiety, or worry, is a state of mind. If worry has become familiar to you, it's time to challenge it. Take a step back and realize that worrying won’t change the outcome. Instead, shift your focus to what you can control. Ask yourself: What actions can I take right now to improve the situation? It’s about transforming worry into constructive problem-solving, making the unknown terrain of the future a little more familiar.
At the beginning, it was all very unfamiliar to me to start and maintain a social following.
And since the solution to this was to make the new habit of showing up online familiar, I made it a point to.
I started to plan for my content on a weekly basis, I showed up even if I felt discomfort or if negative thoughts started surfacing when results weren’t showing. I kept at it. And because the mind goes towards what’s familiar, 3 months into this new habit, my mind starts to accept this as a possibility of reaching new clientele. I started to enjoy the process of looking into what people need most help on and creating content of that nature.
My following grew and now I feel a “weird” sense of discomfort when I don’t show up as often as I could on my social media account during a busy period.
Remember, everyone encounters these feelings at some point, especially when stepping out of their comfort zone. It’s a sign of growth and progress. So, don’t be too hard on yourself.
Ever felt an unexpected aversion to happiness when you achieve a milestone or reach a goal? It's more common than you might think. Sometimes, deep-rooted fears and insecurities can creep in, preventing us from fully embracing our successes. But here's the good news: there’s a powerful tool that can help - Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT).
Adopting a success mindset is not just about achieving goals; it’s also about maintaining mental and emotional well-being along the way. RTT equips you with the tools to build powerful habits, empowering you to express your full potential and create the life you genuinely want to live.
So, if you’ve been battling these inner demons, consider exploring RTT. It's not just a therapy; it's a pathway to liberation, helping you break free from the chains of self-doubt and fear. Ready for the next step? Submit your application to work 1:1 with me.
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