Overcoming Anxiety and Reducing Stress

Taking T.I.N.Y steps in the right direction can help us overcome anxiety. Last week I wrote about the “T” for transformational. Today, I would like to share with you what the “I” stands for.

“I” stands for Intentional – deliberate, with great thought.

Making any changes can be difficult. Therefore, we need to be intentional; we need to put thought into it and have a plan of action.

When I first began working on reducing my anxiety, I was haphazard and uncertain about how to make changes. Eventually, I realized that I had to be intentional about all aspects of my life – I had to be intentional about making changes in the physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects of my life.

I began with Mental changes:

What were the things I thought about that created anxiety?

• 1) What if I hate it?
• 2) What if I can’t do it?
• 3) What if there is no one there to talk to?
• 4) What if I get lost?

And then I began to challenge those thoughts:

• 1) What if there is something there that I really enjoy?
• 2) What if I am successful?
• 3) What if I meet a new potential friend? Or if I give myself kudos because I went, instead of beating myself up because I chose to stay home?
• 4) What if I find my way and meet supportive people?

I began to notice a shift…

I found myself being brave.

I found myself feeling hopeful.

I found myself smiling on the way home from a gathering, “I did it!!! I did it!!!”

I found myself planning, and writing down directions for new adventures.

It took time and persistence.

But I DID IT!!! I began to change the way I thought. I began to challenge the immediate negative, fearful reactions that I had to new things and I began to slowly, slowly, give myself credit for doing new things.

And I did not die.

I know that sounds dramatic. But the anxiety can be SO PERSISTENT that we feel we will not make it through the next thing being asked of us. I challenged that.

And then challenged it again.

And there were plenty of times when I did not challenge my thoughts. And I would feel disappointed in myself. So I would challenge my thoughts again.

And so it went.

Would you be willing to challenge your negative, life-sucking thoughts and exchange them for hopeful possibilities?

I hope you do. If so, let me know.

If you feel you are unable, contact me, and I will help. Book a free 45-minute Empowerment Session today at the following link: https://bit.ly/3VEYIfa

I look forward to hearing from you.