9 Comments
User's avatar
Jess's avatar

I’m almost done with your book The Anxious Truth and this connects with what I’ve gotten from your book when the thoughts come flooding in...I give it the silent treatment. I don’t talk back to it, try to prepare for anything, brace myself...I just notice that the thoughts and or sensations are coming from a disordered brain that is stuck in hyperdrive and I choose to not respond to it. I relax my shoulders and feel my belly rise with air...Is it challenging at times...yup! But I am going to keep at it and moving forward even while I’m afraid of this imaginary thing. It will get better.

Expand full comment
Renee's avatar

A beautiful way of expressing it Jess (I esp. like your ‘silent treatment’) which I really resonate with. So much easier said than done lol, but I’m trying to keep at it! I recently finished The Anxious Truth and found it to be a huge help.

Also for me Drew’s book ‘Seven Percent Slower’ was equally brilliant in helping me ‘ignore’ and ‘surrender’.. which for me is slowing things right down, including micro behaviours, as I’ve recognised my lifelong habit of speeding everything up is Amy version of bracing against the anxiety or preparation action, which of course is counter-intuitive to addressing the real problem and learning to live with/accept the feelings and sensations first.

Expand full comment
Karyn's avatar

For me, this was the "first" fully outlined explanation on "how to do this". Again, for me, ignoring has been the equivalent of white knuckling, which I think I do a lot and I definitely do it right too. This explanation helps expand what it is that Ive been doing on those days when "it" seems so much harder. Thank you SO SO much 🙏

Expand full comment
Theresa's avatar

I truly appreciate this. I have noticed over the last year and a half of this journey that on the days I successfully “ignore” my anxiety my symptoms tend to die down. Most especially the physical stuff that can usually get me off kilter quickly. When I find myself busy just doing something I more easily “ignore” anxiety. I just need to find the right things to do that bring me to that state more often. I can feel I’m getting there, good days are good. Getting better sounds so much better! Thanks Drew!

Expand full comment
Renay Varner's avatar

Well explained Drew! Love You Big Guy!

Expand full comment
Tom's avatar

Wonderful! Really resonated with this one

Expand full comment
gail's avatar

Thought-provoking. And thank you for speaking to "ignoring."

"Ignoring just means dropping those actions, and choosing a different one."

Choosing a different action? What actions or types of actions are you personally thinking about?

"That being, dropping all those actions. Somewhat self-referencing, isn’t it?"

Is there a word or few missing from that first sentence after "That being?"

Lastly what does "self-referencing" mean in this context?

Some of us really do depend and hang onto your words.

Thanks for any clarification.

Expand full comment
Drew Linsalata's avatar

The different action is dropping all the actions. :-)

Expand full comment
jean andriole's avatar

It’s not about feeling better but getting better.

👏👏👏

Expand full comment