Anxiety has been whirring in the background since I went back to school, and it's been especially tough since the dad passed away. It's the normal stuff: I can fall asleep but can't really stay asleep past 2am, headaches, tight chest when I wake up, the works. Usually by the time I'm done getting ready … Continue reading Sometimes it just is what it is; or, Lenny’s back!
self-talk
Finding a vocabulary for anxiety
When anxiety first started to get really bad for me in 2014, I struggled with finding the words to describe what was happening to me. How was I supposed to explain the complete batshit craziness of what was happening? How was I supposed to explain that I was terrified for no reason? That I was … Continue reading Finding a vocabulary for anxiety
What no one tells you when they tell you they have anxiety.
Or: when you're diagnosed with anxiety. I know that when my therapist and I first talked about the diagnosis, we talked only about the symptoms I was dealing with at the time. We didn't talk about others that were possible, or likely, or what might trigger them, mostly because we were so focused on what … Continue reading What no one tells you when they tell you they have anxiety.
How The Atlantic totally got anxiety management wrong
I've been super excited lately about how often well-known folks like Kristen Bell and others are being forthright and straightforward about their struggles with mental health. That is so freaking awesome. I love that we live in a world where people talking about being vulnerable, where people admit that they don't actually have their shit together all … Continue reading How The Atlantic totally got anxiety management wrong
Rewards for the faithful
I'm back! I haven't been very committed to writing here lately, and for that, I apologize. Part of it is adjusting to my new schedule at work, part of it is that the dude and I have both been sick and thus my energy has been lacking, and part of it is that, to be honest, … Continue reading Rewards for the faithful
Identifying with anxiety
Ok. It's official. I'm in love with Headspace. There are a bunch of really wonderful things about it, but there are two that really help me address the two biggest issues I have with anxiety. First, Andy, the founder of Headspace, is clearly a conscientious person who understands how anxiety works. In the anxiety pack of … Continue reading Identifying with anxiety
it's only fear 