anxiety healing – The Hope Antidote

I forgot what it felt like to feel normal

I had learned to live with my anxiety. It wasn’t the monster it once was, but it was there, never letting me relax completely. I was coping with it, functioning, at least from the outside. I thought maybe this was as good as it was going to get, which wasn’t so bad. Sure, it suckedContinue reading “I forgot what it felt like to feel normal”

“Easy” Courage

There’s no such thing as easy courage. If there were, it wouldn’t be considered courage at all. This may seem like an obvious statement, but it wasn’t obvious to me for a long time. In my mind, courage and bravery came easier to others than it ever would for me. I would watch people giveContinue reading ““Easy” Courage”

Scripture to Combat Anxiety

I was raised Christian but it wasn’t until my struggle with intense anxiety that I really learned to cling to and lean on my faith. That’s when it became deeply personal. Though I had been through struggles with anxiety before, it was my junior year of high school when I had my first panic attack.Continue reading “Scripture to Combat Anxiety”

The “Right” to Feel Anxious

I grew up pretty well. Sure, there was some stuff. But, I had two stable parents who loved me unconditionally and provided for me. I had a roof over my head and food to eat. We weren’t wealthy, but we always had enough. I wasn’t abused. I had a pretty happy childhood. Like I said,Continue reading “The “Right” to Feel Anxious”

Holy Night

I don’t know why but I’ve never really listened to the lyrics of most Christmas songs. Sure, I play and sing them once a year, like everyone else, when I’m baking cookies or decorating my tree or wrapping gifts (although I am really particular about which Christmas songs I actually like). But, I’ve never paidContinue reading “Holy Night”

The Illusion of Normal

For years I believed there was something wrong with me. I can’t quite pinpoint when this thought started, but I suspect it was sometime in early childhood, probably due to some combination of a variety of factors including my sensitive disposition, moving between two drastically different cultures, a traumatic experience at boarding school, and beingContinue reading “The Illusion of Normal”

Light Breaks Through

I believe everyone struggles with something. It’s part of the human condition. Fear just happens to be mine. It is my greatest struggle. Always has been. I am someone who suffers from anxiety. I am also someone who has tried to hide the fact that I struggle with anxiety. Most acquaintances don’t know this hasContinue reading “Light Breaks Through”