Overcoming Anxiety with Shoshana Lawrence
This week’s blog is courtesy of another one of my kindred anxious spirits. Shosh and I have supported each other through high school, college, boy problems and most of all: anxiety for the past 4 years. I am so grateful for her vulnerability and bravery to share her anxiety history. I speak for both of us when I say that having someone to relate to when you feel most alone or anxious is so comforting and I hope Shoshana’s words of encouragement make you feel seen today:)
Hi blog!!!! My name is Shosh for those of you who don’t know me. I went to high school with the lovely Olivia:) She was a biggg help to me when I was at my all time low with anxiety and was definitely not okay….. but there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel 💖💖💖💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼⭐️
We all know what anxiety is and how common it is. But the biggest thing I want to instill in my loved ones brains is to BE KIND TO YOURSELF AND DO THINGS FOR YOURSELF. It’s not easy. Be gentle to yourself. We are juggling a million things at our age and it is KEY to give love to yourself just as we do for others. Love yourself the way you love others. Do things alone that make you happy. And fill YOUR cup. That might look different from what others need to be happy.
I have gone to years of therapy and been on Lexapro for about 4 years. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that your mindset is everything. The way you talk to yourself and let your anxiety talk to you controls you.
A good analogy I was told once that I like to think about is that we are always the driver and in the driver's seat. The anxiety/fear/worry is always just a passenger. It doesn’t get control on the wheel. YOU are in control. I know some days it may not feel that way, but you are. Talk to yourself with respect, you are stronger than you think. I struggled soooo bad with anxiety (Olivia knows.. she helped me A LOT). I was at such a low and thought the anxiety won. It was a constant battle. I always let it take over and thought my life was going to be that miserable way forever. Everything became a struggle. Going to school, dance (liv would help me at dance), eating, and leaving my room. Literally everything. And now, the anxiety hasn’t gone away!!! BUT! I have so much care and respect for myself and I am patient, and my mindset has changed completely when I am anxious. It’s the small thoughts that can make a big change. And now I am a huge mental health advocate and have such positive thoughts go through my head constantly. It’s all a health balance and a journey and I know you can get there. Baby steps. You reading this, keep going. You will thank yourself later.
Some positive thoughts from me to you that I truly hope you can take in:
-Meditating might feel silly when you first start, but it is THE BEST way to calm yourself down when you start spiraling. 🧘♀️
-You should be so proud of yourself. You are here. Trying your best.
-Your past does not define you. And there is always a tomorrow and a future to live for. There is always something to look forward to. And if you are struggling right now
-People and my therapists used to always tell me “you are in control” and I used to think to myself no I’m not… it doesn’t feel that way. But when you really try to gain control, you do. And if I did it, you can too.
-You are enough. And it’s important to surround yourself with people who do not make you question that. Because you are 100% enough. And deserve to feel that way. And feel loved and cared for.
-Someday you will look back and be so thankful you didn't give up even when that felt like the only option.
I wish you the best on whatever you have going on. Keep going. And if anyone reading this ever needs someone to talk to. Please reach out to me. My instagram is @shoshana.lawrence. 🌷🌷💖🫶🏻💘
