Anxiety- The Elephant in the Room

Anxiety- The Elephant in the Room

MARCH 26, 2021

Anxiety- The Elephant in the Room!

Let’s address the elephant in the room. You know the one, it’s that big grey rain cloud that hovers over you, or those electric heart palpitations, the brain fog and the tongue-tied feeling when you try to speak your truth.

Just Sit With It

Well here’s my truth; anxiety is something I have been challenged with my whole life and still am. Whilst we never fully overcome this human emotion we call anxiety (which I believe everyone has to a degree) there are methods out there to help us cope, centre and reground even when that ground feels shaky and it’s not the old “don’t worry, be happy” fall back we often resort to.

Why? Because A) worry is hard to let go of and B) the more you focus on not worrying the more worrying you’re doing - it’s a classic catch 22! So what did help me?

Sitting with it. Rather than focussing on shooing the feeling away, whether that was by mentally telling myself not to worry or busying myself to avoid it, I instead welcomed it in. Our emotions are indicators and if we block them out or bottle them up we are essentially adding bricks to our walls of emotional trauma. If we choose to listen to them we can often discern why they’re there in the first place and take actionable steps to alter our situation, and poof the emotion will disappear.

One of our most human fears is the fear of the unknown. But what is this really? It’s indicative of our need to control our lives and the things that happen in them. Put simply, a fear of the unknown stems from a lack of control over our futures. The minute I gave up this fear was the minute I began to truly live, and I’ll share with you how.

Swapping fear of all the negative expectations for all the wonderful abundant things I was looking to call into my life. In that sense manifestation is much like a choose your own adventure story. Situations come up, but the real beauty of life is witnessed in the moment that you realise you are the one with total sovereignty over your response to the curveball you were dealt.

Affirmations are positive, specific statements that help us to overcome self-sabotaging, negative thoughts and stubborn beliefs.

- Alisa Pettit

Try These Three Steps

So how does one go about changing their rusted on thought patterns to build a mindset that serves them (even in the most horrible circumstances)?

1. Sit with how you’re feeling - if the reason you’re feeling this way isn’t immediately obvious it’s because you’re avoiding. The minute you slow down the reason will materialise and from there you can act.

2. Act - choose to change your situation and if it’s seemingly out of your hands then take some time to connect with things that make you feel better. Walk the dog, play with the kids, take yourself out for a pot of tea, meditate and you’ll notice the emotion will disperse. This isn't a distraction, sometimes there is no longer productivity in directing energy to our anxious feelings so immersing ourselves in things we enjoy help us balance our emotions.

3. Affirm - if a self date or activities to spark joy haven’t worked try affirming your strength. Tell yourself things like “I am strong enough to handle anything that comes my way”, “I am worthy of the life I am creating”, “I am loved and I am love”, “I have the tools in my toolbelt to tackle this”. If you’d like some more inspired thoughts we have a range of affirmation cards and other tools to help you shift your thoughts on a daily basis.

These three steps help me to move forward, to deal with my worry and anxiety. I hope it helps you too.

Alisa x

Written by Alisa Pettit

It’s never too late for a lane change. Insite Mind is the brainchild of one woman who after a decade spinning in the hamster wheel of the accounting world gave it up to live out her heart work. But it didn’t come without challenge and a little nudge from the universe in the form of a book Dealing with Difficult People. Upon opening it Alisa was surprised to find in black and white text “maybe it’s you”. So after several ego deaths and many personal development books along the way Alisa Pettit found her way to coaching. Now a fully fledged positive mindset coach and personal mastery guru Ali’s work helps people find their way through mindset teachings.


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3 comments

Thank you for your wise words. I have had life changing anxiety for two years. Your article resonated with me and provided insights which I believe will be helpful.

Susan Jeffery

This is fantastic. This read was something I just came across and the timing was perfect after just having a loss.
Thank you for putting your story, advice and products out there. This absolutely wonderful!

Lauren

I am so glad to be supporting a small Australian business as I believe in my country of birth and am encouraged by supporting you. I just read your blog on anxiety and found it very helpful. Most of the time my feelings are shut down and being told to sit with them made me connect with what I was feeling, so thank you for your wisdom. I look forward to journeying with your suggestions.

Ann Coad

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