Anxiety Isn’t Always What You Think: Here’s What Most People Miss
What if anxiety doesn’t always look like panic?
What if it looks like always saying yes, never really resting, or overthinking a single sentence for hours?
Anxiety has many shapes — some are loud, some are invisible.
And sometimes, the hardest part is that it hides in plain sight.
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You can experience this reflection as a Slow Talks episode here:
The Shape of My Anxiety
We often picture anxiety as a racing heart or a panic attack. But it can also feel like:
Restlessness you can’t explain
Tightness in your chest that never quite leaves
Spiraling thoughts that turn up the volume in your mind
A constant need to control every detail
A sense of busyness that feels like survival
Sometimes it shows up as tiredness. Or irritability. Or the sudden urge to retreat from the world.
And it can be exhausting to carry, even when no one else can see it.
Why It’s Not Just You
In my life, anxiety has often shown up when I’ve taken on too much, when I feel out of control, or when I care deeply but don’t know what to do with the feeling.
The world doesn’t make it easier.
It moves fast, expects more, and rewards productivity — even when it comes at the cost of peace.
That’s why I think it’s important to talk about what helps, not as a cure, but as a way to loosen anxiety’s grip.
Small Shifts That Help Me Find Stillness
None of these practices make anxiety disappear. But they create space — enough to breathe again.
Name it early
When I notice the signs, I quietly say, “This is anxiety.”
No judgment. Just recognition.Do something small and physical
– Put a hand on your chest
– Sit on the floor
– Drink water slowly
– Open a window and feel the airQuestion the thoughts
I ask myself:
– Is this true?
– Is this helpful?
– Would I say this to someone I love?Return to the body
Go for a short walk, stretch your shoulders, or sit with your coffee in silence.
Let your body remind your mind that you are safe.
Sensitivity Is Not the Enemy
If you live with anxiety — not just once in a while, but often — you are not weak or broken.
You are navigating the world with extra sensitivity.
And that sensitivity is part of your humanity, not something to fight against.
Free Guide: 5 Ways to Slow Down
If you’ve been looking for ways to feel steadier, I created a free guide called 5 Ways to Slow Down.
It’s not a fix, but it’s a place to begin.
You can get it here. By signing up, you’ll also recieve my occasional newsletter.
A Quiet Closing
There is no shame in asking for help. No shame in therapy. No shame in needing rest.
If all you can do today is take one deep breath, let it be enough.
Breathe in…
Breathe out…
You are not alone in this.
Take care, and stay close to what calms you.
