To my anxiety: You hold me back from so many things. You impact me in small ways and in big ways. You make me thankful for self-checkout lines when I go to a supermarket. You cause me to be terrified of talking to new people. You make me incapable of talking on the phone to anyone other than my immediate family and close friends. How can I live a comfortable, successful life with you in the way? How can I connect with people or make a grand impression at my dream job interview when i'm so scared of doing something wrong that I can't be myself? You make college very difficult but I am a work in progress of trying to rid myself of you. I am better than before, but I still have a long ways to go.

Luckily, I am not alone. As I have began to experience the world a little more, I notice that there are many other people who live with the same obstacle as I do. Other people also lie awake at night analyzing every movement and gesture made throughout the day and if something went wrong, the only thing we can do is dwell on it. Overthinking is your worst enemy.

Throughout my journey, I have learned many things. Foremost, I have learned that I cannot push myself to do things I am not ready to do, and this goes for anyone with anxiety. Some might say “well, how are you ever going to overcome it if you don't do things you're anxious about?” And to that I say, it's all about progress. Take small steps. If you do something you're far from being comfortable with, then it could go poorly and that can only end with you becoming discouraged.

Also, realize that when you're talking to someone new, most of the time they are just as nervous as you. Just be yourself, and worst case scenario: if they don't like you, then why do you want to be in their life anyways? If you show people who you are, chances are, they will accept you.

“Wherever we are, it is but a stage on the way to somewhere else, and whatever we do, however well we do it, it is only a preparation to do something else that shall be different.”

- Robert Louis Stevenson

To overcome anxiety, you must practice a new mindset and explore new opportunities. Get out of your comfort zone, even if it isn't but a small gesture. Like I stated before, you shouldn't force yourself to start doing something that you're far from ready to do. Start small. For example, I recently just started writing for the Odyssey. I love writing, but I have always been too much of a nervous wreck to ever portray my thoughts to other people. Since I've been here, at VCU, I have been making small changes to overcome my anxiety and do the things I love and want to do. Only good has come from it.

Remember to strive for progress, not perfection.