Every human person has a little anxiety here and there where it is normal and necessary. But, what is it like to have that nervous feeling all of the time? It is a difficult concept to think about since many people don't worry about the little things as much as people with anxiety do. This alone does not define us, but it does affect everything we do and it affects everything we interact with. Anxiety has influenced many of the decisions I have made and also it has impacted every part of my life. The relationships that I have with everyone around me are impacted by everything that I do and by everything that I think about.
I cannot even begin to explain how much my anxiety has played into every aspect of my life, so I will explain one. My relationship with my family has been greatly controlled by my anxiety. There was no way they could have understood where I was coming, since I was adopted into their family and my anxiety is genetic. It was tough at first because I was not sure how to communicate the abundance of feelings that I had and how to explain them was a whole different ballpark. Eventually, I was able to finally explain it, talking one on one to both my parents. It was helpful because finally, they were able to see why I act the way that I do. They understand and they accommodate for me, which is more than anything I could have ever ask for. Their kindness was so amazing and I am so grateful.
My relationship with my friends was not rendered in anyway. Just as my family did, my friends accommodated for my anxiety as well. They have been amazing too in the way that they will sacrifice what they want so that I can feel more comfortable. I never imagined I would be so lucky to have such amazing people in my life.
I am sure that these changes that my family and friends made for me were a burden and were an annoyance but they did it anyway and they continue to love me for who I am. I am lucky to have all of the people in my life that I do and I have never felt so at home than I feel when I am with my family and friends. They make my anxiety easier to deal with and they make it bearable when it seems so crazy that it could not get better. Stressing that family and friends are important is not enough... they are essential.
