Tag Archives: anxiety

Panic and fear

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The unknowns of the future are with us no matter what is going on in our lives.

Even if things are rolling along with no issues, there could be a curve in the road ahead.

When things are particularly bad, when the road is blocked in either direction and you’re stuck, the dark seems to be a bit darker. Small tasks are hard. Everything seems like an effort.

I’m finding myself short of breath in public spaces. This is a new thing. Not something I’ve ever had before.

There is a lot of fear inside me about the future. I’m being forced into change that I hadn’t planned. I don’t have any control over it.

Not much can be done but knuckle down and focus on myself.

I’m being told that these feelings will pass. That things will change eventually with the passing of time.

The things I say to other people going through a hard time, like ‘hang in there’, are all coming back to me.

I know they’re right, but I don’t believe it in my current state of mind.

This is life and its constant challenges.

What’s coming up around the next corner?

What’s the worst thing that can happen?

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We can always find reasons not to do something. It’s one of these things that comes to us more naturally than saying yes. A fear of what the commitment will mean takes over us and, even for a split second, we hunt for an excuse.

What’s the worst thing that can happen?

The fear that we feel is usually unfounded. The fear is only inside our minds because we are being asked to go outside of our comfort zone and make a commitment to something.

How many situations end up with you in the following situations? 

  • Exposed as being a criminal or dishonest publicly
  • Embarrassed by something you do or say and have people you love see you go down in flames
  • Naked on live TV

“Err, not many” would be my reply. Not if you’re a decent person with a basic set of morals and no connection to any TV producers who enjoy asking their friends to get naked!

There’s so much to be gained from saying ‘yes’ more often. I struggle with this area myself through a lifetime of being highly cynical and critical of others, but I make an effort now to get more involved in groups and take on new responsibilities.

If we say yes more, the fear starts to go away. We meet new people and good things happen. It becomes clear that the bad things we thought would happen are nothing more than mind games. 

Give it a try this week. Anything that crops up and the call comes out for help or volunteers, override that instant reaction to block it and say yes instead. What happens could actually be great.