Your Path To Overcome Anxiety and My Personal Experience Of Living With Anxiety

Hi loves! Your path to overcome anxiety can be long and hard. Living with anxiety can be tough, but we all have the same issue. Maybe not as bad as others or as frequently, but we all tend to get anxious at somethings life throws at us. How do you deal with that? Should I get medication? Should I see a therapist? I’m going to be tackling some of these questions today and sharing my own story with my battle with anxiety.

As you guys may know, I had brain surgery three years ago due to contaminate seafood. Due to this, I officially have been diagnosed with anxiety. At first, it was awful. I literally wouldn’t trust any food at had to be cooked properly. I wouldn’t eat chicken, meat, fish, etc. and say I was vegetarian. Super bad, I know. I was told to go see a therapist. So many things to think about and deal with. Right? 

Should You See A Therapist?

For me, I won’t. I feel like if you haven’t walked in my shoes you cannot begin to understand what I feel. No matter your degrees and accomplishments. For others, it works perfectly. One of my oldest friends sees a therapist and raves it has been the best thing to happen to her. That’s amazing. If speaking with someone makes you feel in control of your life, less anxious, and a better mental health overall, go find a therapist that you’ll relate too. 

If you’re like me, don’t feel forced to see one. I never gave that a thought. I know myself and know I’ll be more combative and argumentative than anything. It wouldn’t be healthy for me and wouldn’t resolve my anxiety issues. If anything, I think it’ll create more anxiety inside me. CHOOSE for YOURSELF if seeing a therapist is right for you on your path to overcome anxiety then DO IT!

What About Medication?

Again, for me this isn’t an option. I, myself, do not believe in taking medication unless absolutely necessary. For example, I’m on Kepra because of my brain surgery. I’m trying to not take the medication but it is hard. Because of this, I don’t want to take any other medications. I want to be able to overcome my anxiety my way and not take a pill for it.

Every year, I have to go into my neurologist and see if it’s a possibility to get off the medication. Right now, its not an option, I do need it to prevent a muscle seizure from happening. If you need it, take it. Don’t feel bad about it. You need to do what is best for you. End of discussion. 

Steps To Overcome Anxiety:

I’ve tried a lot of different options. Meditations, breathing techniques, running, etc. What has worked for me? One was working out consistently. I found being in the gym was an amazing stress reliever as well as an amazing anxiety reducing technique. When I wasn’t in the gym, I would get stress and anxious for no reason.

Another method is to face the fear head on. I was afraid to eat anything that had to be cooked. Slowly, I started eating chicken again and began trusting people to cook my food. I may examine my food more now, but it has helped me to overcome that fear. This helped reduce my anxiety towards food. Fish unfortunately isn’t something I’ll be trying again though. 

Best Advice I Heard:

Recently, due to the Avengers: Endgame movie coming out. I came across an old video of Chris Evans speaking about his battle with anxiety. He said something that has stuck with me since. He said “SHHHH.” Those simple little words changed my life. When you feel like things are tough. That people are against you, or hear or read what haters have to say. Just simply say “SHHH” and just quiet those thoughts.

As I posted my submission video for Sports Illustrated I was nervous, scared to hear or read what others thought about, even a bit insecure. Then I looked in the mirror and simply said “SHHHH” out loud. It helped to remove all of those negative thoughts in my head and I posted my video to hopefully live out my dream. I would definitely go take a look at his interview. 

Final Thoughts:

Anxiety happens to all of us. There are moments where it can be extreme and other times where its controllable. What you should do is what is best for you. Decide for yourself if seeing a therapist is needed.

Train hard, dance around, yoga, there are so many different options. Do what is best for you and finally, just say “SHHH”. “SHHH” to all the negativity, even if it’s your own negativity. Your path to overcome anxiety is your own. Own it! How do you fight anxiety? Let me know in the comments below. 

XOXO

Karen Giuliana