Dear Anxiety,

With my finals coming up a lot quicker than I’d like to admit, you are not allowed to control me. I am worth more than you will ever give me credit for. I am worth so much more than the voices you put into my head. I am worth more than the constant worry that I am not good enough to pursue my passion as a career. You see, I’ve been on a journey to love myself despite the weight you put on my shoulders. I will admit there have been days where you’ve won the battle and I’ve gone home to cry and wallow in my self-pity, but I continuously pick myself back up again and I survive.

I know that I’ve picked a very competitive, cut-throat career in which I will often be told I wasn’t what someone was looking for. As I continue my training and preparation, I know you will tell me that I’m not talented enough, or pretty enough, or skinny enough, or that I don’t work hard enough. You’ll tell me just about anything to see if I will fall, and I am here to tell you that I will not fall and I will not give up.

I have been working to love myself more and more every single day. I am determined to use you in a healthy productive way. I want you to drive me to do my best, not just in auditions down the road, but in my everyday life. You will no longer be crippling, but empowering.

Anxiety, you have made me a stronger person in my 18 years of life, and for that, I thank you. However, as you continue to make me stronger, I will never ever ever let you take complete control of me again. My finals are going to go well because I will do my best and I will work hard, no matter what you have to say to me.

Regards,

Ryan