Perfectionism used to be my badge of honor. I thought being meticulous, detail-obsessed, and never satisfied with “good enough” meant I was driven and disciplined. But at some point, that drive turned into a daily tug-of-war with anxiety. I’d agonize over emails for hours, rework projects unnecessarily, and feel crushed by the fear of letting…
There’s something incredibly frustrating about trying to relax—maybe after a long day or in the middle of a quiet moment—only to notice your shoulders are practically glued to your ears. Your neck aches, your jaw feels like you’ve been chewing rocks, and your lower back? Yeah, forget about it. I used to think it was…
If you’ve ever stared at your screen at 2AM, eyes heavy but mind racing, wondering if what you’re feeling is just exhaustion—or something deeper—you’re not alone. I’ve been there. For the longest time, I brushed off the knots in my stomach, the constant sense of dread, and even the unexplained irritability as “just stress.” It…
There’s nothing quite like the sudden rush of anxiety that creeps in just before stepping in front of an audience. Whether it’s a crowded auditorium or a small meeting room with your boss and peers, that swirl in your stomach and racing thoughts feel all too familiar. I’ve been there—gripping the edge of the podium,…
Let’s be honest—sitting in a dentist’s chair with a bright light beaming down on your face, strange instruments hovering near your mouth, and the high-pitched whirr of a drill in the background isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. But for some of us, it’s more than just discomfort—it’s full-blown anxiety. I’ve personally rescheduled cleanings more times…
It’s wild how many times I’ve found myself gasping for air, convinced something was wrong with my lungs—only to realize it was anxiety playing its old tricks again. If you’ve ever felt like you just couldn’t get a deep breath, like there’s a weight on your chest even though nothing physically is “wrong,” you’re definitely…
Not long ago, I found myself staring at my screen, sweating, even though I was just about to speak in a webinar with 30 people—not exactly a TED Talk. My heart pounded, my throat tightened, and my mind kept yelling, “What if you freeze?” Public speaking in person used to be scary enough, but somehow,…
There was a time when I couldn’t sit still without my mind racing through every possible worst-case scenario. Even simple things like answering emails or walking into a meeting made my chest tighten. Then one day, I tried something that felt borderline ridiculous: a body scan meditation. I thought it would be another trendy trick…
If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on fumes emotionally, mentally, and physically—but still can’t slow down—that might not be just everyday stress. It’s something deeper, heavier, and more exhausting. That’s what burnout from chronic anxiety feels like. I’ve been there, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Living in constant alert mode was my…