Anxiety is defined by the New Oxford American dictionary as a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. As the halfway point of my college career passes by, my worries continue to intensify. I am not too panicked about my grades or even this upcoming semester. My anxiousness is geared more toward the uncertain plans that I have once I graduate. I have approached that point in my life where I feel pretty lost and I am not too sure about my next life endeavors. This phase in my life has caused me to worry more than usual; I fear the possibility of failure and the disappointment I would bring to those who are rooting for me. While my anxiety has sometimes gotten the best of me negatively, it has also taught me a few things about myself.
Constantly fearing the unforeseeable prohibited me from truly appreciating what I do have. My relentless worries about the future shadowed the current positive aspects about my life. My anxiety had caused me to look at the glass half empty rather than half full. Once I realized I bared a pessimistic attitude, I became determined to be optimistic and see the positives in every situation, no matter how tough. I became truly grateful for the opportunities I was given and the accomplishments I had made for myself. This outlook has slowly been helping me to calm my anxiousness overall. I have been motivated to appreciate the good things in my life rather than stressing about events that could possibly not even occur. Giving more of my attention to the good around me has slowly deteriorated the growth of my anxiety.
Throughout my struggle with anxiety, I have always felt alone and excluded, not realizing that there were several others like me. I have learned that it is quite common for young adults to suffer from anxiety due to similar reasons such as mine. Knowing that I am not alone lets me know that I will be alright and everything will work out for the best. This is something that happens to most, but they have not let it stop them from being great and making the most of their lives.
I'm sure I will still have my days where I have complete meltdowns because I can't take the stress, but I feel better knowing that this is only temporary and I am not alone.
