I'm not quite sure how you got here, but I'm glad you've arrived. Truly. You may be thinking, "well, we don't even know each other so these words are empty." You're right, we don't know each other, yet, these are all but empty words. They are full. Full of compassion and love, acceptance and kindness. These words are all for you. Maybe you came because you needed to hear this. We all need a dash wisdom in our lives every so often.
"You're just over-thinking it," is a line I'm sure we've all heard at least once in our lives. Whether you have a tendency towards anxiety or not, over-thinking can be a part of the package we like to call 'The Human Condition'. My therapist once told me that anxiety is an over-estimation of danger and an under-estimation of your ability to cope. It comes in an infinity of forms and usually hides more than what's seen on the surface.
Anxiety sucks and there's no doubting that. It can trap you in dangerous thought patterns and blind you to any escape routes. Logically, you know that some of your feelings aren't exactly rational, so emotions are suppressed in the hope of their disappearance. In conjunction with that, you're fooled into believing in the invalidity of our feelings which breaks you down further. That thought pattern could look something like this;
Anxiety -> Over-thinking -> Feeling Irrational -> Invalidity -> Anxiety, etc...
Patterns like this are tiring and painful. But, please know that what you think and feel is never invalid. Not ever. Our thoughts are beautiful messes. If you think that you're the only one, you're not. If you think a certain way, there will undoubtedly be someone else who agrees and understands. Emotions can be unpredictable, and you should be able to feel without fear of judgement. We need to learn to accept and nurture our minds and bodies. And to learn how to frame our thoughts in such a way that doesn't lead us further down a destructive path.
There are two different types of acceptance. The first, accepting your circumstance as your unchangeable fate. The second, accepting your circumstance, nurturing it, then doing something to change it. Acceptance is the first step to change. There is always a way out; all things must pass. When you're stuck in a dark place, vicious thought cycles may lead you to believe there's no way out. Even if you can't see the light right now, hang on. Feel your way through the darkness, keep going, no matter how slow.
The first type of acceptance will not lead you to a fulfilling and prosperous life. Challenge circumstance and perception. Notice the way you feel and let it be for as many moments as you need. Accept its' existence, nurture those thoughts and begin to take action.
Ask yourself, why do I feel this way? What is making me feel invalidated? It may in part be a product of comparing ourselves to others. It's important to sift through your emotions from apparent to complex. We are such layered beings and working through your emotions takes time. We are often our own harshest critics.
I will acknowledge that all of this is easier said than done. Recently, it's been harder to deal with my mental health than my physical health. Facing your demons is painful, but you will be a braver and more complete for it. It takes a real strength of character to ward off your inner demons. Work with your demons, not against them. You can't fight fire with fire.
This post was a bit all over the place. I do hope you were able to take some wisdom from it. If you are struggling at the moment, please seek professional help. You deserve it. You are a valid, beautiful human. Own it.
- Miller
There are two different types of acceptance. The first, accepting your circumstance as your unchangeable fate. The second, accepting your circumstance, nurturing it, then doing something to change it. Acceptance is the first step to change. There is always a way out; all things must pass. When you're stuck in a dark place, vicious thought cycles may lead you to believe there's no way out. Even if you can't see the light right now, hang on. Feel your way through the darkness, keep going, no matter how slow.
The first type of acceptance will not lead you to a fulfilling and prosperous life. Challenge circumstance and perception. Notice the way you feel and let it be for as many moments as you need. Accept its' existence, nurture those thoughts and begin to take action.
Ask yourself, why do I feel this way? What is making me feel invalidated? It may in part be a product of comparing ourselves to others. It's important to sift through your emotions from apparent to complex. We are such layered beings and working through your emotions takes time. We are often our own harshest critics.
I will acknowledge that all of this is easier said than done. Recently, it's been harder to deal with my mental health than my physical health. Facing your demons is painful, but you will be a braver and more complete for it. It takes a real strength of character to ward off your inner demons. Work with your demons, not against them. You can't fight fire with fire.
This post was a bit all over the place. I do hope you were able to take some wisdom from it. If you are struggling at the moment, please seek professional help. You deserve it. You are a valid, beautiful human. Own it.
- Miller
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