The irony of having anxiety, and specifically health anxiety, was that it gave me the tools to avoid the anxiety the uninitiated experienced around Covid. By using the tools I had developed I was able to step back from the brink of panic and actually calmly analyse what was happening. I could review the evidence and I could see that, as a healthy 46-year-old, I was at essentially zero risk from the 'rona. Neither was almost anyone I knew. This allowed me to step back from the incessant doom-mongering coming from the media and the politicians and not buy into it.
I have 8 years of anxiety to thank for that.
I must admit when I finally did get the virus, there was a part of me screaming, waiting for it to get worse, but it never did. My symptoms disappeared after a day and never returned.
What am I saying? I guess in some weird way, spending 8 years terrified that my next step would explode my heart, led me to find the skills needed to get through a situation others found much more difficult to manage.
Silver linings they say. I would love to have those 8 years back, but having been through that I was one of the few who didn't lose the last 2 in worry. So in a bizarre way I am thankful for what anxiety has taught me.
Beautiful words wonderfully expressed. Silver linings indeed. I felt bizarre (& unable to express for the first 18 months due to guilt) that I felt I actually got through and came out of the whole Covid experience much better off! For many reasons, and discovering Drew and this anxiety-recovery-community in the past 12 months certainly helped with that🙏🏼
That's a really nice anecdote. I agree -- I was blindsided by anxiety around my health in the early days of Covid, but I think the skills I've learned from Drew and others, mean that anxiety has loosened its grip on me. It's also great to see how the approach is generalised, to help you confront whatever is coming down the line. Lots of silver linings, I'd say
This is so true and something to really think about. I have small setbacks and I have to remember to be patient and kind to myself. It always resolves itself. Thank you for this timely writing!!😊
Thank you so much I was just saying to my husband that my physical symptoms have gotten worse and I’m having a setback. I think I am actually more stressed because of a few issues going on in my home. I will just keep going. Thanks again, your emails every morning are so helpful.
Absolutely love how you explained this Drew! I have come to recognize that my anxiety moments have been due to major life events and stressors that I did not deal with. I’ve never declared a setback but admittedly gotten upset about having to navigate my way through emotions and events once again. I do notice once I start untangling the issues my anxiety is easier to accept and allow and life resumes. My lesson: recognize when I need to feel, express and process events and stressors. Do not neglect them. Thank you Drew for words of encouragement to us all. You are loved Big Guy.
That was such a big help to read that... that was what I'm going through at the moment and to read its just a normal life stress has made such a difference to the way I think about it now.... thank you
Thanks Drew. Great advice with all the stress about Ukraine now on top of Covid and my own personal experience of MS. It's sometimes very difficult to keep up your progress with exposures etc.
The irony of having anxiety, and specifically health anxiety, was that it gave me the tools to avoid the anxiety the uninitiated experienced around Covid. By using the tools I had developed I was able to step back from the brink of panic and actually calmly analyse what was happening. I could review the evidence and I could see that, as a healthy 46-year-old, I was at essentially zero risk from the 'rona. Neither was almost anyone I knew. This allowed me to step back from the incessant doom-mongering coming from the media and the politicians and not buy into it.
I have 8 years of anxiety to thank for that.
I must admit when I finally did get the virus, there was a part of me screaming, waiting for it to get worse, but it never did. My symptoms disappeared after a day and never returned.
What am I saying? I guess in some weird way, spending 8 years terrified that my next step would explode my heart, led me to find the skills needed to get through a situation others found much more difficult to manage.
Silver linings they say. I would love to have those 8 years back, but having been through that I was one of the few who didn't lose the last 2 in worry. So in a bizarre way I am thankful for what anxiety has taught me.
Beautiful words wonderfully expressed. Silver linings indeed. I felt bizarre (& unable to express for the first 18 months due to guilt) that I felt I actually got through and came out of the whole Covid experience much better off! For many reasons, and discovering Drew and this anxiety-recovery-community in the past 12 months certainly helped with that🙏🏼
That's a really nice anecdote. I agree -- I was blindsided by anxiety around my health in the early days of Covid, but I think the skills I've learned from Drew and others, mean that anxiety has loosened its grip on me. It's also great to see how the approach is generalised, to help you confront whatever is coming down the line. Lots of silver linings, I'd say
This is so true and something to really think about. I have small setbacks and I have to remember to be patient and kind to myself. It always resolves itself. Thank you for this timely writing!!😊
Thank you so much I was just saying to my husband that my physical symptoms have gotten worse and I’m having a setback. I think I am actually more stressed because of a few issues going on in my home. I will just keep going. Thanks again, your emails every morning are so helpful.
Very much enjoyed this one. The idea that good stress or times can be overwhelming is a very good point.
This message came at exactly the right time. Thank you!
Every word of this lesson is a gift, thank you Drew ❣️🙏🏻✨
Absolutely love how you explained this Drew! I have come to recognize that my anxiety moments have been due to major life events and stressors that I did not deal with. I’ve never declared a setback but admittedly gotten upset about having to navigate my way through emotions and events once again. I do notice once I start untangling the issues my anxiety is easier to accept and allow and life resumes. My lesson: recognize when I need to feel, express and process events and stressors. Do not neglect them. Thank you Drew for words of encouragement to us all. You are loved Big Guy.
Needed this and came at the right time 🥰
That was such a big help to read that... that was what I'm going through at the moment and to read its just a normal life stress has made such a difference to the way I think about it now.... thank you
Thanks Drew. Great advice with all the stress about Ukraine now on top of Covid and my own personal experience of MS. It's sometimes very difficult to keep up your progress with exposures etc.