To the Anxiety That Tried to Control My Thoughts About Myself

Dear Anxiety,

It is not often that we personally address something which we cannot physically see, but I can feel you. I have been able to, for as long as I can remember. You’re part of me, and I dislike you as much as the lumps, bumps and flaws I’ve beaten myself up over for the longest time, which I can see. The lumps, bumps and flaws which aren’t even half as bad as you’ve had me believe.

I was even convinced at one point in my life I was too ugly to leave the house. I would spend my days in doors, hidden away from the world. I wasn’t too ugly, but I was too anxious.

I have periods where your toxic thoughts take over my mind, fill my soul with negative feelings and take away every bit of self-belief I have strived to gain. I have no photos of me holding my three children as babies, not one single photo. No visual memories of days out or birthdays with their proud mum, until this year. I did not want to look at myself, as I could not deal with the repulse I would feel. I hate you for that.

You’ve stolen hours, days, weeks and months from me, even a large part of my childhood where I struggled to make friends. The school days where I sat in my chair with my head down avoiding any kind of eye contact with the teacher during reading, filled with dread and fear that I would be asked to read aloud to the class.

My heart pounding. My head spinning. Sitting knowing the answers to questions, but not daring to raise my hand for the fear, the absolute humiliation of being wrong.

University wasn’t easy either. Believing I wasn’t smart enough to be on the course and I was heading for a fail from day one. Luckily, every single assignment I got back, proved you wrong. I graduated with a top marks, which I worked so hard to get, and I worked around being a single parent. I was good enough, and my confidence hit an all time high. I thought I’d beat you.

I hadn’t. You’ve been the most prominent part of my life for the last three or four years in particular. Where I have battled with you literally every, single day. You’ve made me tear myself up inside, to the point where when asked what it is I don’t like about myself, I had a list. I hated everything from the color of my hair to my overly bitten fingernails. You had messed with and taken over my mind to the extent that when I looked in the mirror, I didn’t see what everyone else saw. I only saw a horrific, distorted image.

You made me want to hide away. So I did. I isolated myself. I couldn’t deal with the world of thinking people are pointing and laughing at me. Thinking that everything that came out of my mouth was just plain, insignificant rubbish. I was convinced I’m unlikable and undeserving of friendships, which I find incredibly hard to make and maintain.

Eventually, I went for help. It’s from that help I was given the ammunition to fight you. I was put in a position where I had to identify and talk about my positive qualities and given the tools to challenge negative thoughts. I was given enough self-belief to realize I can be anything I want to be and began to pursue my dream.

I’m fully aware of you now. I can feel how you flood my thoughts and infest my mood with dark paralysis and despair. You are literally a demon.

I’m now at a place where I’ve become completely mindful. I’m finally in tune with my body and emotions. I can feel you creeping up on me.

As recent as three weeks ago, you had me convinced, yet again, that I’m a failure. You drained me for days. All the tears, the effort of pretending I’m fine when around other people whilst forcing a smile. The listening to my husbands words of positivity but choosing to ignore them, makes me exhausted, and him frustrated. Yet, I knew it would pass, and I just had to ride it out. You’ve gone now, and yet again, I’ve gained more strength. I’m winning.

So thank you anxiety, for giving me the courage to chase my dreams. I wouldn’t be writing this if it wasn’t for you. I wouldn’t be working my way towards a diploma in journalism, and I wouldn’t be taking care of myself and working out so much to release the natural endorphins, which help to keep your evil thoughts at bay.

I’m taking back my life, anxiety. So next time you try to worm your way in, don’t worry. I’ve got this.

This post originally appeared on Diary of a Cake Loving Fitness Junkie.

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