My life has been shaped by anxiety since childhood. I grew up in a volatile environment where domestic tension was frequent, not extreme, but emotionally damaging nonetheless. The first time I remember experiencing anxiety was during a heated argument between my parents. My heart raced, my hands sweated, and my stomach twisted uncomfortably. At first, I thought I was simply nervous. But over time, these symptoms began appearing more frequently, even when nothing upsetting was happening. I had no idea how profoundly anxiety would impact my life.
Most of my childhood episodes were mild, and I never told my parents about them, I assumed they were normal, given the environment I grew up in. In my early twenties, I moved to Florida and didn’t experience anxiety for a time. The first major impact came after my divorce. This time, the episodes were more severe and prolonged. Panic would rise without warning, my heart raced, and my palms sweated. Nighttime brought its own challenges, as sleep became difficult when attacks struck in the dark hours.
While healing from the divorce, I committed to caring for both my mental and physical health. Counseling became an essential part of that process. It took months to learn how to navigate life as a single mother and as a single person. One of the most impactful tools my therapist introduced me to was the practice of daily affirmations and positive self-talk.
The purpose of affirmations is to take control of your thoughts by repeating simple, powerful statements to yourself. Initially, I thought it sounded trivial. Yet, I committed to trying it. Each session, I wrote down ten affirmations to repeat daily. We also discussed my negative thoughts throughout the week, especially those that triggered anxiety attacks, and worked on transforming them into positive alternatives. After several weeks of therapy and consistent practice, I began sleeping better, my anxiety lessened, and I started to feel like myself again.
Positive self-talk has fundamentally reshaped my thinking. And there is relief for you as well. When you notice negative thoughts, trace their origins. Then consider how you can transform them into healthier, more empowering thoughts.
Understanding what triggers your anxiety is key to managing it. If you’re unsure what triggers your episodes, seeking professional guidance is invaluable. An honest, unbiased perspective from someone outside your personal circle can provide clarity and help you view things in a new light.
Maintaining good mental health is essential when living with anxiety. Learning to manage it allows you to regain control of your life and make healthier decisions, for yourself and your loved ones. Left unchecked, anxiety can negatively affect emotional well-being, physical health, and relationships, especially the one you have with yourself.
You may never fully eliminate anxiety and that’s okay. With the right care, commitment, and self-compassion, positive change is absolutely possible. You can reclaim your life, rebuild confidence, and cultivate peace within yourself.
