Hey Steph,

I was reading a book on anxiety called “Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks” and the author made a few good suggestions. First, the next time you feel anxiety, to just pause and ask, “So what?” Is the issue this big of a deal for how it is making you feel? Second, use the anxiety to excite you. You are living! Next, instead of running from the anxiety, sort of fall into it, allow yourself to feel it. And then go and do something that you love. If there isn’t something that you love to do, just the search for finding a passion can be a lot of fun. I think the combo of not letting it overwhelm you and then losing yourself helps yourself to move on from what is making you anxious.

It’s good that you can be by yourself. You don’t need a guy to make you happy. A lot of time other people can sort of obscure ourselves from who we really are. Since you have some time on your own, perhaps make a list of things you want to change about yourself and goals that you have, and then choosing one and thinking of a first step you can take to begin moving toward that goal today. The feeling of progress and hope will help with the anxiety.

Also, I find that helping other people helps me when I am feeling low. I can think about the good things that I am doing instead of the things about myself and my life that I wish was different. Even if your life sucks, you can still make other people’s lives better!

• This reply was modified 7 years, 6 months ago by Mark.