Ever feel like your heart races just thinking about walking into a room full of people? Yeah, same. I used to dread presentations, casual meetups—even ordering coffee if too many people were around. That constant worry about what others might think? It quietly ran my life for years. Anxiety and the fear of being judged…
Ever catch yourself spiraling into a loop of “what if” thoughts that seem impossible to escape? I’ve been there more times than I can count. An anxious mind has this sneaky way of distorting reality, turning small concerns into overwhelming catastrophes. But here’s the good news—reframing those intrusive thoughts isn’t some complex therapy-only trick. It’s…
Living with high-functioning anxiety often feels like walking a tightrope that no one else can see. Outwardly, you’re the achiever—the organized, reliable, always-on-top-of-things type. But under the surface, there’s a constant churn of worry, self-doubt, and tension that never really shuts off. I remember being praised for my “calm under pressure” demeanor at work, when…
I used to think I was just “overreacting.” You know that feeling — when a totally irrational fear sneaks into your day and suddenly takes over everything? Mine hit hardest during early mornings, before meetings or even walking into a crowded cafe. It felt silly at first… until I realized it was shaping my entire…
It always starts the same for me—something tiny spirals into something massive in my mind. A slight delay in a friend’s reply suddenly means they’re mad. A skipped heartbeat becomes a sure sign of a heart condition. It’s exhausting, and it’s called catastrophizing. If you’ve ever found yourself trapped in an anxiety spiral that escalates…
There’s something about putting pen to paper that feels oddly comforting, isn’t there? I never really believed journaling could actually calm the storm in my head—until one evening, sitting with my thoughts spiraling out of control, I just started writing. No rules, no structure. Just thoughts, raw and messy. What happened after that honestly surprised…
If you’ve ever found yourself saying “sorry” for things that don’t even need an apology—like speaking too much, asking a question, or just existing in someone’s space—you’re not alone. I used to be that person, apologizing for everything, even when someone else bumped into me. What I didn’t realize back then was that this constant…
If you’ve ever found yourself ducking out of a social gathering, skipping a work call, or avoiding a triggering place or person—all because your chest tightens, your palms sweat, and your mind says “run”—you’re not alone. I’ve done it. Many times. At first, it felt like self-preservation. But eventually, it became a cage. In anxiety…
It wasn’t until my third sleepless night in a row that I started questioning if my thoughts were the problem. I kept imagining worst-case scenarios, assuming I was doomed, and obsessing over things most people would brush off. That’s when I stumbled into the world of cognitive distortions—and everything started making sense. If you’ve ever…