When you resist, it persists.
How approaching fear head on can be a game changer.
Can you think of a time when you felt anxious? What was your initial response? I’d bet something along the lines of, “I’m not doing this,” and, “let’s get out of here,” may have come up in that moment.
Anxiety is rooted in avoidance. When anxiety get's the message of danger it’s initial reaction is to get out of that situation, and get out fast. Typically you may be then met with some level of relief. Phew, you escaped that danger, you won the battle.
However, when you avoid your worry you do the opposite of winning.
Avoidance gives anxiety strength and power. It allows fear to gain momentum. Avoidance reinforces the message in your brain that whatever made you anxious was worth being anxious about. After that momentary relief dwindles away the worry always returns, and it returns stronger. Over time, repeated avoidance can lead to increased anxiety and immense difficulty in facing even the mildest of stressors.
So what can you do? How can you change this course? The answer is in feeling that anxiety and moving towards what makes you anxious anyway.
Why is this?
Feeling anxiety and still taking action despite it can be a necessary step towards personal growth and strength against anxiety.
Here are five reasons why feeling anxious and “doing it anyway” can be beneficial:
Growth and Resilience: Facing anxiety-inducing situations helps build resilience and confidence. Approaching anxiety weakens it by allowing you to confront your fears directly. When you face your anxieties you learn that you can tolerate discomfort and uncertainty making it easier to handle future stressors.
Avoidance Reinforces Anxiety: Avoiding situations that cause anxiety can make the anxiety worse over time. Confronting fears can reduce their power over you. When you avoid situations or thoughts that trigger anxiety, you miss out on opportunities to challenge and reframe your anxious beliefs. This perpetuates the cycle of anxiety and reinforces the idea that the feared outcome is truly dangerous or unmanageable.
Achievement and Success: Many worthwhile goals require stepping out of your comfort zone. By acting despite anxiety, you can achieve things you might otherwise miss out on.
Skill Development: Handling anxiety-provoking situations can help develop important skills such as problem-solving, emotional regulation, and coping mechanisms. Avoiding worry prevents you from learning that you can cope with the things that make you anxious and uncomfortable.
Sense of Accomplishment: Completing tasks that initially caused anxiety can lead to a sense of accomplishment and boost self-esteem. Approaching worry can help you see and feel that you can cope with the situation no matter how difficult.
With consistent and regular practice of approaching anxiety, your anxiety diminishes, and you become more confident in your ability to cope effectively, weakening the grip that anxiety has on you. This leads to lasting change and improved confidence in your ability to navigate whatever comes your way.
Overall, while anxiety is uncomfortable, pushing through it can lead to positive outcomes and personal development.
When you resist, it persists.
Ready to build a healthier relationship with anxiety? Get your copy of my Anxiety Starter Pack today and begin your journey towards confidence, calm, and clarity.
