It is a set of beliefs, attitudes, thoughts, and opinions that help us interpret and respond to events.  It is largely unconscious, gained through our experiences, and impacts how we feel, think, and behave.   

­We are largely unaware of our mindset until something goes wrong – something pops up in our awareness – something catches our attention and we begin to investigate.

When we investigate, we do so from either a fixed or a growth mindset. 

Fixed Mindset:

A fixed mindset comes from receiving praise in the form of a label –

• “You are smart”,
• “You are good at math” or
• “You are not good at sports”. 

We receive the message that we either have the ability or we don’t, and nothing can change this fact.  This leads to giving up in the face of challenging circumstances due to the belief that we do not have the ability to overcome them. 

Growth Mindset:

A growth mindset comes from encouragement for our efforts –

• “I see that you studied hard for this exam”,
• “I noticed that you practiced for an hour yesterday”,
• “Asking for help is a great way for figuring out challenging circumstances”. 

We learn that success is due to the effort and strategies used – both of which can be acknowledged and improved upon.  This leads to perseverance in the face of setbacks and the belief that more effort will bring about results. 

Mindset Affects Anxiety.

Our mindset also affects our relationship with anxiety.  People with a fixed mindset towards anxiety, tend to see it as a fundamental part of who they are and over which they have no control. When we are resigned to our circumstances, anxiety and helplessness deepen, and we feel stuck and lost.

People with a growth mindset towards anxiety, see it as a temporary state – one which they believe they can change by utilizing helpful coping strategies.  When we feel like we can change our emotions through effort, strategy, and guidance, we release some of our anxiety and step into freedom.

Change is always possible.

 The greatest change takes place WITHIN a person.  Remind yourself that your feelings & thoughts are temporary. Anxiety tends to show up FIRST as a bodily sensation – a tightness or discomfort. 

When we notice the tightness, we can ask ourselves,

• What is my body telling me? 
• What feeling word do I attach to this sensation?
• What thoughts are contributing to this feeling and sensation?
  • Do I want to keep this thought, feeling, or sensation?
  • If not, how do I want to change it?
  • What will I tell myself INSTEAD of the anxiety-producing thought that led to this?

You CAN learn to release anxiety…

It will take some time, but learning to notice our bodily sensations, feelings and thoughts will move us toward a growth mindset, the opportunity to make choices, and the ability to release our anxiety. 

I hope you have found this useful.  If you would like to know more about releasing anxiety, let’s chat.  You can find me at