“You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft, that you will die without
ever realizing your true potential.” – David Goggins
In this post, I want to answer the question: what is the first step to overcoming anxiety? When I was at my lowest, suffering from severe health anxiety, I felt completely lost. My mind was in chaos and I felt like I was the only one going through this terrible pain. My mind was in dis-order. I was far out in the middle of the ocean, desperate for an island to swim to. So what can you do right now to begin this recovery journey and heal from this anxiety?
Chaos
When we study the word disorder, we see that it means order that has been disrupted. Too much order is not good and tends to lead to tyranny. Too much chaos leads to decay and destruction. There is that fine balance inbetween. That is the yin and yang symbol. The balance of order and chaos. The fine line running between the two indicates the proper path in life. So how does an anxiety sufferer add more order into their already existing chaos? The first thing I did was to seek answers online to why I was feeling the way that I was. I felt like I was the only one going through this thing, whatever it was, and that it will never go away. Out of desperation, I searched online the symptoms and feelings I was experiencing, hoping for some answers. At this point I was trying to grab onto any order from the abyss of chaos that I was in. I was unconsciously asking the universe for help at this very moment. When you do ask, you tend to get some answers. And I did. I found someone online who went through the same thing I was going through and has healed. That was the moment my world changed. I found someone who spoke my language and provided the tools necessary for healing. I also found hope.
Known Territory
At this point I moved from the complete unknown unknown to the known unknown. The unknown unknown is complete chaos. Total confusion and bewilderment. Lost in the desert. The known unknown is when you find the answer to why you are in the unknown in the first place. For example, I now knew it was health anxiety rather than thinking of a wide range of catastrophic outcomes. But I had no idea on how to overcome health anxiety. I had to start from Grade 1. This mentor was my teacher and provided me with the knowledge of health anxiety and why I was sufferering. This was opening up a whole new perspective of how I viewed myself and my past challenges. I now felt hope. I wasn’t the only one with this unique problem. Health anxiety turns out to be common in todays society.
Now that I was in some known territory, I continued to learn from others who overcame the same challenges as I. I was dedicated to learning all about this thing called anxiety. Anxiety that has plagued me for so many years. The information that this mentor was providing was putting me in-formation toward my higher being. I was so determined to overcome this dragon that I continuously learned about what this anxiety is and why it is here. I would sit in Tim Hortons (a coffee shop in Canada) for hours a day watching podcasts and videos on anxiety and learning the tools necessary to overcome it. You have to have this drive in order to overcome a dragon in your life, even if it means to put other goals and people in your life on the back burner. The reason is, when you overcome this dragon, you open yourself up and give back to the people around you. Love and strength will emanate from your being. If you remain suffering, then the people around you will suffer as well. But you have to first set your aim on the dragon you want to slay and continue on that path until the threat is gone. What is the alternative? Most of society copes by: popping pills, drinking, smoking, eating, watching TV, and going on their phones. Escape is all too easy but the pain continues to linger and hurt you mentally and physically.
Dedication and Persistence
In conclusion, the first step in the recovery process is to recognize that you need help and begin to learn about the challenges you are now going through. Gain that knowledge. Knowledge is power. That is order. The more you dedicate yourself to this growth process the more order you will add into your life. Surround yourself with those who project the wisdom you need. Their energy will absorb into you. You will unconsciously begin to act and speak like they do. It was never your plan to go on this recovery journey in life. It was never mine. But sacrifices must be made in order for you to heal and reach a higher state of consciousness. That is the death and rebirth story and you are the protagonist. You are the hero.