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BryceePoo's avatar

Excellent work Drew! I used to see anxiety as being captive to a weaker version of myself. Now I simply see it the same way I see feeling heartburn, headache, shakiness, etc. Symptoms that are incredibly uncomfortable at times but will not be the source of me "giving up". I will continue to do whatever I need and "want" to do, such as taking those swimming classes that I signed up for, playing a game with friends, who presenting to a large group of colleagues online for work. No one is saying that these thoughts and feelings are easy to deal with, but we need to stop letting anxiety be bigger, or meaningful, than it really is. Best of luck out there. I'm pulling for you!

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Renee's avatar

A great way to look at it… seeing and approaching/reacting to the anxiety as we would any other more common affliction such as headache, indigestion or tiredness etc. Thanks for your insightful interpretation and articulation of Drew’s narrative, I somehow find it very helpful!

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BryceePoo's avatar

I am sure that I am not alone in making anxiety seem like something greater, more meaningful than it is, which is certainly is not.

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Carol Dale's avatar

Thanks for the clarity, Drew.

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Julie Coblentz's avatar

Drew you make it all so understandable. Sometimes I’ve been through so many changes in life and in turn had to change my life that I admit it do get tired of thinking to change my thoughts. But since being around all of you it’s opened me up more to accepting and changing. Just yesterday I was in a mess at work cause my thoughts were getting me. I work in a busy law firm with sometimes needy people. I slowed down. Took steps and made it. Exhausted I was but I made it!! Thanks for caring for us so much!!! Love ya’…. Julie

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Leeann's avatar

You brought to light what I was thinking thank you.

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jean andriole's avatar

Wow ! Wow ! Your insight to the real truth is exactly what I need . Anxiety is normal the way I react is not . Step by step I am getting closer to the real me this other guy just got confused. Thanks again Drew love ya Jean

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Andy's avatar

This really is a difficult and great topic. Difficult in that it is hard to wrap my mind around changing my reaction to the anxiety, but when I do, I can feel the difference. Thanks for all you do.

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Leeann's avatar

Hi I toatly understand what your saying. When anxiety is so scary how can we tell ourselves that it is normal.

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Dave's avatar

Drew, wondering if you might address a topic in future? Did you ever get embarrassed having noticeable anxiety in front of others? Sweating or shaking? That is my entire problem. I don’t worry about death, etc, I just find it so humiliating to have “irrational” anxiety around others. Thanks for all you do.

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Renee's avatar

Exactly the case for me as well Dave. And thus very difficult to carry out intended, regular ‘exposures’ when situations like this are one’s main trigger, and esp. difficult when your job/career depends on it. Which means you have a greater incentive to ‘hide’ your anxiety response… all of which makes the practice of ‘accepting’ and ‘allowing’ so much more difficult to undertake. It’s been the real catch-22 situation for me since reading Drew’s wonderful books and other content.

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