8 Reminders For The Days When Your Anxiety Really, Really Sucks

1. Your anxiety might be a forever thing, but the way you’re feeling right now is not. Some days, your anxiety is going to feel more intense. Other days, it’s going to feel more tolerable. This current moment might be a rough one, but you’re going to get through it. You’re going to endure. And you’re going to feel okay again soon.

2. Plenty of successful people experience the same things you’re experiencing. Never let yourself believe your life is bound to be miserable because of your anxiety. You can still find love. You can still find success. You can still find happiness. Remember, there are people you look up to who are suffering from anxiety, whether you realize it or not. They’re proof you can do great things. They’re proof anxiety doesn’t make you a lost cause. And soon, you’ll be proof too.

3. You’re allowed to take a mental health day. Sometimes, it’s good to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. It’s good to ignore your anxiety and get shit done anyway. But other times, it’s better to rest. To take a break. To let yourself cancel plans. To let yourself have a moment. You know how much you can take. You know how hard you can push yourself. If you’ve reached a dangerous point, you’re allowed to slow down for a while.

4. Asking for help is the bravest thing you will ever do. Admitting you have a problem and going to therapy isn’t something to be embarrassed about doing. You should be proud of yourself for taking the steps to get better, feel better, live better. You should feel brave AF, not weak, because deciding to do something about your anxiety isn’t easy.

5. Your emotions are valid, even when you feel like a crazy person. You might feel crazy when you can’t even make a phone call or answer the door for the pizza guy — but you are not crazy. You are not broken. You are not overreacting. Your mind works differently than other people. You can’t help your reactions. You can only control your actions.

6. Your anxiety is part of you — but it’s not the whole you. When your anxiety is at its peak, it might feel like you’re under its spell. Like it controls you. But even though it takes up a good chunk of your life, there’s more to you than your anxiety. It doesn’t define you. It isn’t your entire identity.

7. Anyone who is unable to accept your anxiety doesn’t deserve a spot in your universe. You should surround yourself with people who support you, not discourage you. You don’t want to make your anxiety worse by associating with people who are going to get pissy whenever it takes you longer than ten minutes to answer a text or when you turn down an invite to a crowded party. Find friends who understand you — or who are at least considerate of you.

8. You’re allowed to be upset about what you’re going through. You don’t want to spend your entire life feeling sorry for yourself, but on your really bad days, you’re allowed to get annoyed. You’re allowed to get frustrated. You might feel like you should be used to your anxiety by now, but there’s no denying it sucks. It really, really sucks.