A Roadmap to Inner Peace: How I Healed My Debilitating Anxiety 🪷
20 tips + resources that will ACTUALLY help your anxiety
One of my earliest experiences with anxiety was when I was in middle school. I remember getting to school and within an hour, I would start to feel sick to my stomach. I would get these horrible stomach pains, like someone was twisting my insides. I kid you not, I called my mom at least once a week to pick me up from school. We eventually went to the doctor to see what was going on and to get testing done. They found nothing wrong with me, and basically told me to just keep an eye on it (so helpful, I know🙄). It wasn’t until I got older that I connected the dots and realized I was just experiencing symptoms of anxiety. They eventually got worse and worse. I couldn’t even talk to people without stuttering or freaking out. And don’t even get me started on the panic attacks and constant ruminating on EVERY SINGLE THING.
Then I got into a relationship (with my current boyfriend of 4 years) and everything got significantly worse. And most people would take that as a sign to break up because if it’s a healthy relationship, you shouldn’t feel any anxiety right??? WRONG! Relationships, especially intimate ones, will trigger you like no other and will force you to face everything about yourself. If it wasn’t for my relationship, I wouldn’t have started my journey of healing myself, facing my shadows, and finally taking control of my life (so thank you, Josh for triggering me lol <3)
So, how do you actually make peace with yourself and your current situation?
How do you finally heal your debilitating anxiety, low self esteem, and deep depressive episodes?
By no means am I an expert, but there is so much I have learned in the last few years that have completely transformed my state of living. I went from a state of chronic (and oftentimes debilitating) anxiety and depression. I was constantly in a state of overthinking, panic and unease. My nervous system was completely out of wack. I complained about anything and everything, and never felt truly happy. I felt like a helpless victim in my life. I didn’t feel in control of my thoughts, my actions or my life.
Fast forward to today, I finally feel in control of my life. I don’t experience debilitating anxiety or depression anymore, and if I feel myself coming back to those states, I know how to get myself out of it. I don’t let myself suffer in the past or in the future anymore. I’m more accepting of my current situation and where I’m at. This doesn’t mean I’m settling but just accepting that this is a present moment circumstance.
When I’m experiencing more calm in my life, I’m able to think more clearly and make better decisions. To take more aligned action towards my dream life.
It certainly wasn’t easy getting to where I’m at now, but it was so worth it. It takes a lot of self love and devotion to yourself to get this place. A deep inner knowing that you deserve better, and the devotion and discipline to actually give yourself better.
There is so much that I’ve done and have learned that has helped me come to this state of peace. I’ll get into the details below but I want to remind you that you don’t have to try and do everything all at once. Honestly that will only cause you to feel more stress and anxiety, and add on to that feeling of not being or doing enough. Just try a few at a time, and stay consistent (that’s the 🔑).
Below you will find 20+ helpful tools, resources and lifestyle changes you can take today to begin this journey of cultivating more presence and calm into your life. These aren’t you typical “drink more water and exercise” type suggestions (although I did include exercise in one of them lol).
Quick disclaimer: I’m not a therapist or mental health professional. I’m just sharing what’s helped me personally and things I’ve learned/researched along the way. This is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only.