Dear Anxiety | An open letter to my anxiety

 Well hello to you my reader chums! A few years ago I wrote an open letter to my anxiety and it was one of the most therapeutic things I've done. Since then, I feel like I've completely changed as a person, my anxiety has become more manageable and I grew with confidence. I understand my mental health a lot more and I've learnt that it really is okay to have off days, experience anxiety flare-ups; it's normal and all part of who I am - and figuring out the coping mechanisms to help are too.

Now, I'd love to write a letter again and share my thoughts, and feelings.

Dear Anxiety | An open letter to my anxiety

Dear Anxiety,

We've come a long way, haven't we? A year or even a few years ago, I never would have imagined myself in this position today, to know how to fully understand and control you. You were a limitation in my life for so long but now I see you as an opportunity, an opportunity to look after myself and do better.

Having and living with you doesn't make me weak if anything it makes me stronger and without you, I wouldn't be who I am today. You've caused some of the hardest days of my life, but without you, I wouldn't have lived my best ever days, and overcome things I never thought I would. You gave me the motivation to push harder, work harder, and be better, a better person to others and towards myself. 

I've been struggling with handling you since I can remember, but it was only when I was about 16 that I fully understood what you were and learnt why I was slightly different. At the time, you ruined every part of my life and controlled every thinking pattern I had, and I didn't think I'd ever be rid of you. I thought you would limit me forever. There was a time you stopped me from going outside, convinced me everybody hated me, and made me want to run away from my own mind with the constant panic attacks.

Over the years, things got easier, thanks to my friends and perseverance to get and feel better. I wanted to go out there and experience what was on offer without any fear, I wanted to be free from my own brain. It took a while, years, in fact, to stop fearing the unknown and not saying yes, to actually fully embrace everything. I began to travel, go out partying, hanging out with my friends more, trying new things, and taking every opportunity that came my way, instead of shying away from anything. I started to feel excited about new things rather than anxious and you didn't control me anymore.

I learnt my triggers and coping mechanisms to deal with you. You were not my enemy anymore, but something I could handle and take in my stride. I learnt that some days were bad with you and that was okay, it was okay to not feel right. But, I also had amazing days, days that I'll cherish forever and I wouldn't have had if I didn't overcome you.

Today, I'm standing strong and feeling incredibly proud of the journey that I've had with you. I've gone from a timid shy teenager, who would have panic attacks at every social event or situation outside my comfort zone to a happy, content and strong woman that I am today. I've come a long way with you and my confidence is something I never thought I would reach. You may still affect me sometimes but now instead of hiding away, I'm happy to speak about you and I have methods to deal with you and move forward with my life.

I'm proud and happy to get to this point in my life, and I can't wait to see how else I conquer life and beat you even more. I'm ready for further world travels, every exciting opportunity that brings me joy and the hope of my future.

Till next time, 

Della x

Read more about how I overcame my travel anxiety and my ways of dealing with anxiety.

I hoped you liked this post! What's one thing you're proud that you've achieved?

Thank you for reading <3


47 comments

  1. Removed my last comment because of a typo! I wanted to say congrats for conquering your anxiety. Now if I could conquer this keyboard, we'd both be set.

    --Sue
    www.susanberkkoch.com/blog

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  2. Hi Della. There was a famous philosopher (so famous that I've forgotten his name!) who said "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." Clearly, overcoming your anxiety has made you the stronger person that you now are, somebody that is able to confidently write, and share, about her battle. Well done :-)

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  3. Thank you for sharing your experience with anxiety with us - congratulations on overcoming and channeling it to become a better you! ��

    I hope to be able to conquer my (moderate) anxiety and not fear change as well someday, so this as both inspiring and encouraging ��

    Thanks, Della! Xx

    Bianca | www.missmonro.com

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    1. Thank you so much! I hope you're able to as well lovely x

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  4. This was so interesting for reading. I'm so happy for your and fact that you are happy now and you learn how handle your anxiety.

    New Post - https://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2020/11/carolina-herrera-good-girl-marc-jacobs.html

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  5. A beautifully written letter to your anxiety Della! I used to suffer with really bad anxiety when I was younger, thankfully I'm a lot better about things now and I'm so glad to hear that you feel great within yourself! x

    Lucy | www.lucymary.co.uk

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm glad to hear you feel better in yourself too xx

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  6. Well done, it sounds like you've really got a grip of things and are really aware of it all!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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  7. Thank you for sharing your experiences and congrats on your successes with it!

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  8. You are so incredibly brave for posting this and I hope this bought you some relief and closure.

    www.emmjoy.co.uk

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  9. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us. You are so brave! More power to you.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  10. This was such a beautiful post, thank you for sharing! It's so lovely to read your thoughts - thank you for sharing! '

    Tash // A Girl with a View

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  11. Such a lovely letter, it made me tear up. You have come such a long way and I feel that by sharing your journey, you are showing so many people that they aren't alone and that they too can overcome so many things.

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  12. What a beautifully written piece of content. This brought a tear to my eye! You have come such a long way and being able to watch parts of your journey has been inspirational! Well done you for sharing this, I absolutely love your blog!

    Rosie

    loverosiee.co.uk

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    Replies
    1. Aww thank you so much for the kindest comment, I appreciate it so much xxx

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  13. This is a really open and honest post. Being an anxiety sufferer it is interesting to read other people’s experiences and feelings. Thank you for sharing.

    Lauren www.bournemouthgirl.com

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  14. Della, this is so inspirational! I'm so glad you learned to manage and overcome your anxiety xx

    mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/

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  15. Thank you for sharing your journey! I hope to travel more in the future, but I also have anxiety, so it makes me nervous

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    1. Thank you lovely! I hope you're able to travel more x

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  16. This is such a beautifully written post. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

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  17. Very Informative and Inspiring post Della.

    https://swarnaz.com/

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  18. This was so beautifully written, Della. I love that you're choosing to view your anxiety as an opportunity, that's such a positive and uplifting take xx

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  19. Such an amazing post!! Anxiety is such a dick but it seems like you're doing so well :) xx

    Holly | www.gollymissholly.uk

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  20. Beautiful post! It's so nice to hear you're standing strong, and I love the honesty about the battles along the way.

    Anika | chaptersofmay.com

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  21. Learning to control anxiety is a difficult one, I have been there and I am glad you are taking control of it.

    Bernie,
    The Style Fanatic

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  22. Ahhh! Thank you for the honesty here girl. So inspiring <3

    xx, mel
    http://melinspired.com/tech-gift-ideas-every-person-life/

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  23. Fantastic and very honest post. I hope everything will be only better ;)

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  24. So happy for you that you have overcome your anxiety. Wish you only the best in the future!

    www.fashionradi.com

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  25. This was truly a great letter Della! I love when you said that it's both been the worse thing and the best trigger to get where you are! I truly admire your strength x

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  26. Many may deny their own anxiety, or if nothing else its power (even to themselves) for an assortment of reasons, for example, the craving to stay away from shame, the feeling of pride, the dread of dismissal, the danger and disquiet of weakness, and so forth; regardless, almost everybody encounters anxiety somewhat. programs for troubled teens

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  27. It is very important to learn that Anxiety is not some uncontrollable disease or illness that you develop suddenly, inherit, or contract somewhere. Anxiety is produced by a style of behaviour.cbd cream for pain 1000mg

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