Does the sound of social anxiety and panic attacks explode in your stomach when you hear about them? How horrifying is the sound to you?
It does in mine!
Recently, two extraordinary women approached me and requested that I write a blog post and participate in interviews on overcoming social anxiety, managing panic attacks in our contemporary society, pursuing one’s aspirations, and overcoming our apprehensions. While I am genuinely honored by this opportunity, I must admit that it is also slightly terrifying.
Let me explain… and I’m about to get super real.
I have found during these walks that there are two intense inner needs in every human:
The first is to find our purpose, continually grow and learn, enter the world, and help others.
The second is to hide, avoid judgment, maintain control, stay safe, and isolate ourselves. This act is to prevent the social anxiety and panic attacks that inevitably creep up if we don’t keep our shit sorted.
Yes, these are entirely conflicting, yet both have been extremely important for most of us up to this point.
On the one hand, we need to express our internal struggles in the world… and on the other, we need to keep them hidden to avoid shame and embarrassment. We shield our internal struggles so well that we live double lives.
For some of the people I interviewed, the first motivated them to create new businesses, take up new challenges, break boundaries, learn new skills, and explore their personal growth.
The second ultimately leads many others to avoid social situations. Feel mounting anxiety that would, at times, build up into a complete breakdown. This would include sweats, tears, fevers, shakes, and the need to be in bed for hours with a massive sense of shame.
Ironically, many of us have been torn between both of these elements of the psyche, and I think it’s time for us all to search for a turning point—the next stage of our lives—where it is time to step up and find our voice without fear of judgment and overthinking.
Social Anxiety and Panic Attacks are something we all have experienced in the past and will no doubt occur again.
Fortunately, we all can choose not to define our core identity by these challenges. While it is natural to question oneself during difficult times, it is essential to remember that these experiences do not diminish our worth as individuals.
If you’ve suffered from social anxiety or been diagnosed with social anxiety or panic attacks, please know that you are not alone.
That is not who you are; thinking that way only creates an attachment to yourself.
To overcome this, you need to view it as something you have experienced, not something that defines who you are.
So, how do we grow while wanting to shrink?
Listen, your intuition is your best friend. The more time you spend with yourself, the better you’ll get to know your inner voice and learn to trust it.
Chasing after something meaningful is better for your health than trying to avoid discomfort. Go after what brings meaning to your life, and trust yourself to overcome any stress that follows.
You don’t have to sound or look perfect. Start by doing the right things, and embrace your vulnerability, for it is perfect and brings inner peace.
You are a miracle! In you is a gift waiting to be unwrapped. You have to find what it is.
Image credit – Google Pics