When I find myself feeling this way, I remind myself that
questions about why I have anxiety usually don’t lead anywhere useful. After
all, Dr. Low tells us that everyone
has anxiety, but we “nervous people” tend to feel the effects more acutely and
more frequently, and we have a tendency to overreact to distressing—but not
dangerous—feelings that most people dismiss. As anxiety sufferers, we have a
chronic condition, not likely to disappear overnight and likely requiring
lifelong management.
When days seem dark and times tough, I like to adopt Dr. Low’s
emphasis on being a leader in addressing one’s symptoms. Instead of rolling
over, lamenting my lot in life, and letting symptoms get the best of me, I
decide it’s time to double down, take control, and remind myself that feelings are
not facts. Feelings and sensations cannot be controlled, but thoughts and
impulses can be. “Woe is me” thinking is indeed under my control. I look back
on all I’ve done, endorse myself for my achievements toward a healthier
life, and recognize that sometimes there are setbacks—but setbacks do not reset
my progress.
Sure, from time to time I get discouraged. But taking what
Dr. Low calls the “total view” allows me to put everything in perspective. “Woe
is me” and “why me” thinking focuses only on the past. This is a partial view
that doesn’t benefit me. Taking the total view, recognizing my progress and
projecting a long-term healthier outlook, I feel re-energized and rejuvenated.
Yes, I’ll have bad days, and there will be times when I wish all of my anxiety
would just go away. But recognizing I am taking a leadership role in my own health,
that life is so much better now that I endorse myself for continuous spotting
and practicing Recovery, recharges me and provides me with an overall broader, healthier,
and optimistic view on the days ahead.
