“My friends don’t actually like me. I’m annoying”
If my friends didn’t like me, they wouldn’t be my friends to begin with. People don’t do things they don’t want to do, it’s that simple. Everyone can be annoying from time to time or a lot of the time even, it doesn’t mean that they are not likable and lovable.
“I have to do everything or nothing will be done right.
Things were done just fine before I was around and they will be just fine when I’m gone. If I don’t give people the chance to do things right, they never will.
“I’m forgetting something. I should always be doing something.”
Just because you’re having a moment of peace and calm, doesn’t mean that you’ve forgotten something. You don’t always need to be moving full speed ahead. The still moments are important too.
“This must be worse than anxiety because these symptoms are so scary. It can’t just be in my head something is wrong.”
Anxiety symptoms are extremely scary but at the end of the day, they are just symptoms. They can and will end.
“I will always be trapped, helpless to my emotions. I will live, every day of my life like this.”
You have already come leaps and bounds from where you started in your mental health journey. You have always known it was going to be a long and hard one. The fact that you can think rationally about your anxiety is proof of the fact it won’t rule you forever. Things can and will get better.
“I can’t stop shaking. There’s something wrong with me. I’m sick.
You are experiencing physical symptoms of anxiety. It will end. Be patient and try to breathe. Go to your safe space.
If I’m not in control something bad will happen.”
You don’t control the sun and yet it still rises and sets every day.
“I’m responsible for everyone’s happiness. I must make sure they are happy, even if I’m not.”
Only you are responsible for your happiness, as only others are responsible for theirs. It is not feasible or sustainable to try and be the sole source of someone’s happiness.
“I’ll never be able to change. Then I’ll be forgotten.”
You’ve already changed. You will always be remembered by all who love you just like you’ll remember them. You’ll be remembered in the words you’ve written and left to forever imprint upon the world. In the moments of time you were the one to capture. You will be remembered.
Do you relate with any of these anxious thoughts? If so, what do you tell yourself to counteract them? Try these and see if they help.
Wishing you peace,
Love Maia