How Constant Overthinking Worsens Anxiety

3 steps I use to process stress and anxiety and generate more happiness

Photo by Odalv on Unsplash

Let’s be real, most of your anxiety is self-generated. It’s not because of your job, your relationship, or whatever other situation you’re dreading. You’re creating problems that don’t exist. 

And the panic comes from something that hasn’t happened yet.

The worst part is that anxiety doesn’t wait for you to be ready. It comes at the worst times.

I used to do this a lot. And still to some extent. My anxiety is fueled by the need to control what I can’t control.

The only way to get out of this cycle is to stop feeding it.

And this is where it started for me.

My anxiety showed up early as a kid. My mother used to drop off my brother and me at my dad’s house on the weekends. His home was chaotic. There were moments of domestic abuse, drug use, and long periods where I was left alone, waiting for him to wake up from his stupor.

The uncertainty and fear started to build up on the long drive to his house. That unresolved anxiety manifests in my adult life. There’s this constant need to control the uncontrollable just to feel safe.

So, here’s the deal, anxiety is not just “all in your head.” It is self-generated but always has an original cause. And you can always discover that original cause for yourself with a bit of introspection.