So I decided to step away from the computer for a while to do something normal and this post happened.
I was baking a carrot cake and feeling quite anxious – my shoulders were tense, my chest and throat felt tight and I was a bit light-headed. I’ve been recognizing these symptoms since last week, when the book went public and I started promoting it. Also, it’s August and I’m supposed to get a response for my Belgian Visa application.
I turned on the radio, mixed everything up (hoping that this time it would actually be a fluffy one) and when I put it in the oven, I felt like dancing. I was so grateful nobody was home, so I could do my crazy dances and talk to myself out loud:
“Sooo, what am I afraid of, really? Let’s write it down!”
And I did. I scribbled a note that looks something like this:
I was baking a carrot cake and feeling quite anxious – my shoulders were tense, my chest and throat felt tight and I was a bit light-headed. I’ve been recognizing these symptoms since last week, when the book went public and I started promoting it. Also, it’s August and I’m supposed to get a response for my Belgian Visa application.
I turned on the radio, mixed everything up (hoping that this time it would actually be a fluffy one) and when I put it in the oven, I felt like dancing. I was so grateful nobody was home, so I could do my crazy dances and talk to myself out loud:
“Sooo, what am I afraid of, really? Let’s write it down!”
And I did. I scribbled a note that looks something like this:
What I’m nervous about / afraid of at the moment:
* Not selling → I’ll keep connecting with people, hanging out on blogs and forums and showing them who I am and what I do!
* Not paying e-junkie every month → It’s only U$5, for God’s sakes! (this one looked silly as soon as I wrote it down, but I know it’s related to the first fear).
* Not making money (I’m that broke) → Find a job when the Visa is issued.
Teach private students.
Find freelance writing work.
Create more eBooks and eCourses.
Babysit (if need be).
* Not finding a job because I’m not fluent in French or Dutch → Take intensive courses after summer.
Make time and study, dumbass! (Red Forman’s voice in my head).
After writing this I could actually see that my anxieties make no sense and that each one of them has solutions and alternatives. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and said: “Everything won’t be alright. Everything IS alright”, and danced until the cake was done.
Later on, this video came to mind. There, Leonie talks about her #1 way to end a surge of anxiety: movement!
It works for me.
Stop sulking and write down what’s troubling you x what the possible solutions are (ALL of them). Visualizing it will help your brain make sense of what’s real x what’s not.
Your fears are (generally) not the truth.
Move your body, get the blood flowing, get some fresh air and shake those bad feelings out.
Anxiety is a bitch. I hope this helps other anxious souls like me.
Do you have other advice on dealing with fear and anxiety? Leave a comment below!
Know someone who would like to know this? Share :)
Later on, this video came to mind. There, Leonie talks about her #1 way to end a surge of anxiety: movement!
It works for me.
Stop sulking and write down what’s troubling you x what the possible solutions are (ALL of them). Visualizing it will help your brain make sense of what’s real x what’s not.
Your fears are (generally) not the truth.
Move your body, get the blood flowing, get some fresh air and shake those bad feelings out.
Anxiety is a bitch. I hope this helps other anxious souls like me.
Do you have other advice on dealing with fear and anxiety? Leave a comment below!
Know someone who would like to know this? Share :)
