To You, Who Loves Me Through My Anxiety

I know at times you don’t understand this dark shadow that follows me. It has to be hard fighting those demons you don’t feel, let alone see. Many times I feel like I’m spiraling downward with nothing to help stop me, just endlessly falling into a black abyss with no hope to catch me.

I had always been afraid of you seeing that dark side, but you waited patiently for me to let you in.

Before you, I just kept pushing down all of the haunted feelings, letting them eventually build and bubble over. It wasn’t healthy, but I’m not one to admit I need help. Now, you’re the bright light, the fighter of my shadows, the hand that catches me. When I’m in that dark corner feeling like I’m losing my mind, you don’t look at me like I’m crazy — you look at me like you care. I’ve never had that. The concern in your eyes is enough to bring tears to mine.

Let me try to explain how I see and feel an “episode” through my eyes: It starts with just a nagging gut feeling, then the thoughts of being not good enough start creeping in. Then it takes all I have to not cry and disconnect from the world. Sometimes I do feel it would be a better place if I just hid away. From there, I just can’t muster up the strength, no matter how hard I try, to be happy.

Then, just when I feel like I’ve hit rock bottom, you appear. You pull me in and hug all my broken pieces together. You never take your supportive hands off me, and you look right in my eyes and say the most important words I will ever hear in my life — “I am here for you and everything will be fine.” You remind me the feeling will pass and that I am so so so loved.

Finally, you never take credit. You try to make me feel empowered. I love that you say I did it, I conquered my anxiety. But I didn’t do it alone. You were the big reason I made it out. I wish everyone who is accompanied by anxiety had someone as selfless and caring as you. You are my support, my bright light and most importantly my best friend.

I just want to say thank you.

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