30 Stupidly Simple Things My Anxiety Makes More Difficult Than It Needs To Be

30 Stupidly Simple Things My Anxiety Makes More Difficult Than It Needs To Be

1. Instead of answering the door when someone knocks, I duck under windows.

2. Instead of answering the phone, I let it go to voicemail.

3. Instead of walking up to a cashier at the grocery store, I use the self-checkout.

4. Instead of raising my hand in class, I pretend to drink my water or look through my backpack to avoid getting called on.

5. Instead of riding the elevator along with strangers, I walk up a ridiculous amount of steps.

6. Instead of asking a worker for help finding a product, I walk around the store fifty times until I find it myself.

7. Instead of accepting party invitations, I come up with excuses about being busy.

8. Instead of ordering pizza over the phone, I find places that will let me order online.

9. Instead of choosing the better, center seats in theaters, I choose the aisle seat so it’s easier to escape (and so I’m only next to one person instead of two).

10. Instead of saying goodbye at parties, I sneak out the door when no one is looking.

11. Instead of contributing to group conversations, I stare at my phone.

12. Instead of sending the first text, I assume the other person doesn’t want to talk to me.

13. Instead of following through on plans, I freak out and cancel at the last second.

14. Instead of smiling at strangers, I avoid eye contact.

15. Instead of making appointments over the phone, I go way too long without a checkup.

16. Instead of accepting compliments, I find a way to deflect them.

17. Instead of going out and having fun on weekends, I spend my time moping alone in my room.

18. Instead of making small talk with strangers, I wear headphones or keep my head stuck in a book.

19. Instead of liking pictures and commenting on threads, I read everything without letting anyone know.

20. Instead of ordering what I really want at restaurants, I order the meal that involves the least amount of talking.

21. Instead of walking up to someone I know and saying hello, I will run the other way and hope they don’t see me.

22. Instead of answering an email right away, I will leave the notification in my inbox for a week.

23. Instead of answering a text right away, I will write and rewrite my reply ten times.

24. Instead of asking for what I need (whether it’s a raise from my boss or a bottle of ketchup from a waitress), I keep quiet and suffer instead.

25. Instead of asking people to hang out, I wait until they approach me to avoid rejection.

26. Instead of getting excited about what will happen tomorrow, I run through all of the worst case scenarios in my head.

27. Instead of agreeing to hang out with friends, I watch their stories on Snapchat and get jealous about not being there with them.

28. Instead of walking out of the house in whatever I’m wearing, I try on fifty different outfits before choosing one.

29. Instead of introducing myself to new people, I hide in the background.

30. Instead of enjoying the moment, I’m always wondering about what horrible thing is going to happen to me next. Thought Catalog Logo Mark

Holly is the author of Severe(d): A Creepy Poetry Collection.

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