Get ready to relate.

The beginning opens up with a very melancholy tone to it, emphasizing the eyes of people. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and clearly, you can see how painful they're's are. There is no dialogue, no narrative - just pictures and words.

It displays people crying and seeking help from others; along with stressing out and going through what looks like insomnia. There are fake smiles and self-doubt. All within 34 seconds. This makes me believe that actions do, in fact, speak louder than words.

Now I'm an emotional person. I'm sensitive, in short - I'm a softy. It's how my brain is wired and how I was raised. So naturally, I cry when I hear "in the arms of an angel," or see a stray kitten. I shed a tear when I see advertisements targetted towards anti-bullying and at movie trailers *cough cough Wonder.* But, I don't usually cry in 34 seconds...until I watched this video.

As an anxiety veteran, I know all there is to know about it. Sleep issues, social issues, anticipation issues, and so on. Saying this, nothing in this video stunned me. I didn't think, "oh, wow that's terrible, I have never felt that way." No, cause it is terrible but I have felt that. The majority of the population has felt that and is probably feeling it in this moment, and I'm so sorry. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Nevertheless, for those who may not pick up what I'm putting down, here's what I mean.

1. "They take everything personally."

Well, it's true. Anxiety is on a large spectrum ranging from phobias to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I fall in between that, so most of this will come from my point of view. I do take *most* things personally. I will give myself credit (something that is very hard for me to do) when saying that I have improved in that area. But I know how it feels. When someone would say something, for instance, "I'm so annoyed right now." I would automatically assume it was because of me. Now I am learning to look deeper and think maybe they had a bad day.

2. "They apologize for anything and everything."

This goes beyond "I'm sorry for your loss." Everyone says that when a loved one passes away, and it is a tragic time, I am not diminishing that. But for people who have an intense amount of anxiety, everything is supposedly their fault. I am here to say it is true, we think this. It's little things like, "oh, you tripped on your way to see me, it's all my fault I am so sorry," or, "I'm sorry my order is really complicated Mr. Barista man, all I wanted was some whip cream with my hot chocolate" or, "this burger is cold, I can't send it back I didn't eat it fast enough." So I'm not saying I am the sole reason global warming is happening or children in underdeveloped countries are starving (I used to blame myself for that, although), it's the small stuff that worries me.

3. "They worry about every little thing."

Let me bring you into my mind for a quick second, here's what my brain looks like 24/7 (see below). It is like a constant math equation that never ends. "Did I lock my door?" "Did I shut the fridge, I don't want my food to spoil." "What if I get another C on a paper, I think I should drop out of college." "Would my parents still accept me if I dropped out...yeah they love me, I've done worse." "Where will I be in ten years?" "Why can't I lose weight?" "Are all these people staring at me?" "Is it acceptable to break down and cry in a public space?" See what I mean?

4. "They sleep a lot because meeting with other people is draining."

This. Is. So. True. This is commonly known as "social anxiety," which can range from huge, extravagant parties to small talk - I have both those problems. As a college student asking "hey, what's your major?" is so cliche at this point. Where in month two already (at least for me). At this point, you should know their major. Dammit, Jamie, you messed up again...this awkwardness is all your fault (refer to #2). I sleep all the time. Waking up is another story. I go through something called a lack of REM sleep, so waking up leaves me temporarily paralyzed and scared out of my mind, even though I know it's coming. All in all, sleep is used to avoid the world, and people who have anxiety aren't the only ones who take advantage (Just admit it).

5. "Awkward laughing."

Ah yes, the moment when you get over the fears of small talk and put yourself out there. Then an arrogant, uneducated person says something dumb like "why do I never see you out and about? You're so lazy sometimes," followed by a chuckle. While avoiding public situation you still know what is right from wrong so you awkward laugh with this person until it is safe to leave the premises.

6. "Being indecisive."

I think this is one of the biggest ones for me. I believe that we take paths to get to where we are in life, and I don't want to go down the wrong one, so this one speaks very clearly to me. The video displays a young girl debating on two shirts. Sometimes it's simple things like what to wear or what to order on the menu, but sometimes it's hard. For instance, I didn't commit to a school till a day before national commitment day because I am unaware of what lies beyond my future and I for sure wasn't taking this decision lightly.

7. "They play with their hair."

Everyone has their little quirks when they get anxious so this phrase doesn't always apply. I, for one, used to pull my shirt down from the bottom when in public and bite my nails when I get nervous in class; and I still do it. It kind of sucks but its life. I go know people who play with their hair or pick their skin. So to me, it's more than just "they play with their hair." It's "they have anxious quirks that are visible to others.

Watch it here

All in all, this video made me really think about anxiety. I learned that I am not the only one who has it. In fact, we all have anxiety. It's an emotion like fear or anger - but more frustrating because you know you can control it but you can't at the same time, and that it happens because your mind makes it happen. It's terrible. But I will say, for those who read this, it gets better. As I have come of age I have learned to control certain worries. It's called metacognition. Or in simple terms, thinking prior to thinking. It's managing my anxieties by putting things into perspective. And if you're like me, you feel the way I do every single day of my life. But recovery is possible, this isn't who we are.