Anxiety is something that many people deal with on a daily basis. It can be one tough roller coaster but it is also something that each person has to overcome in their own way … and this is how I personally attempt to overcome anxiety.

Growing up, I was never one to be anxious. I was very confident and outgoing and I never really worried about anything except what adventure I wanted to go on next. When I was younger, it was hard for me to understand some of my friends when they would talk about an anxiety attack. It was even harder when I had to experience a friend go through it in person. I always thought to myself, what causes an anxiety attack, and is there a cure?

Little did I know … my freshman year of college I would get to experience what it truly feels like to have anxiety. It is an everyday battle. I don’t know the exact point in which I would have been diagnosed with anxiety, but I have an idea. It was a huge transition. Being away from home for the first time can be very stressful. I was very independent growing up but being anxious can lead you to feel very vulnerable and in need of dependence. If I wouldn’t have had my boyfriend since high school, I don’t think I would still be at Spring Hill. First semester was super tough for me. But some of the friends I made first semester, along with my boyfriend, and my support system back home helped me to overcome my first semester and I am very grateful for that.

It got to the point where I felt very anxious anytime I was alone. Late at night, I would be bombarded with unwanted thoughts and my confidence basically fell through the floor. There were certain triggers that would send me into an attack and sometimes it was hard to calm down enough to breathe. When I feel an anxiety attack coming, tears start building up in my eyes, then my stomach starts to get the feeling you get when you are falling, and then my chest tightens up. Hyperventilating occurs sometimes and I just have to breathe and try to snap out of it. Some of my close friends have been around when really bad attacks have happened and I am so thankful that they have been there to support me.

Some of the things I do to get my anxiety under control include many varieties of art escapes. If you know me, you know that I love to craft. Whether it is painting, making shirts, decorating, drawing, or even just fooling around on photoshop, I love crafting a whole bunch. It is also nice to escape in a good book or even work on my writing. Sometimes, it is nice to get my feelings out on paper when I feel like breaking down. One of my absolute favorite things to do is to go take pictures and travel to new places with friends or family. There is something peaceful about going somewhere where you don’t know a single person and just relaxing for a while. Going on vacations is such a great passion of mine and I can’t wait to continue that into my future.

Although art is the way I help overcome my anxiety, there are many ways and it is different for everyone. It is important to try to keep the negativity out and there is definitely a way to try to overcome it!

I believe that everyone can attempt to overcome anxiety, even though it is hard and feels impossible if they put their mind to it and find different ways to get through it. I have become so much stronger in who I am in the last few months and I know that anyone else battling anxiety can do the same!