I was the kid who didn’t (want to) sleep anywhere, but my parents' bed.

I was the girl who was always conscious of the sun's place in the sky.

For as it descended, the thoughts began.

I was the girl who was terrified of the dark, the unknown.

I was the girl who would lay on my back in bed, and think of every possible way I could escape if a worst case scenario were to occur, and following, I would envision every worst case scenario.

I wasn't this girl. I am this girl.

Anxiety is my silent killer. It controls my mornings, it controls my level of performance and sometimes I feel it controls my potential to thrive in this world. The greatest misconception with anxiety is the significant difference between feeling anxious and having anxiety.

Feeling anxious is a an emotion human beings acquire. That anxious feeling comes from the consciousness within us, the knowledge we have of the world and specific circumstances that insinuates the emotion in us all. At some point all humans have felt anxious, whether it has been about a test, a surgery, a job interview -- whatever it was, it was an emotion intrigued by a circumstance that we had knowledge of, yet were unaware of the outcome. When the feeling hit, you got sweaty, your head got hot, maybe you pinked up and felt your heart just rush, but...

But then, there is having anxiety. Having anxiety is exactly what it sounds like. You have anxiety, you do not get anxiety.

I have anxiety. I never “get” anxious, for I am anxious. I think deeper about every interaction, whether it be verbal or physical. Thoughts and words haunt me. The kind of thoughts that make you feel alone at Disneyland.

I know I share this understanding of anxiety with many people. For those of you who identify with what the fight of anxiety feels like, I would like to offer a touch of advice: love is the only cure. Whether it's feeling someone else’s love and affection or recognizing you deserve self-love, which should not involve drowning yourself with a sea of thoughts.

Begin to remind yourself what Mr. Whoever said to you doesn’t matter, and put yourself in the moment of life. Don't fall victim to the anxiety that’s holding you captive. The essence of every day is much more beautiful and calming then the nag of your mind. I know better than anyone that this is far easier said than done, but search for your peace. There is something in this world that can turn on the love in you, and help you work past the anxiety.

For some as myself, it’s a person, for others it’s a sport and hobby, a job, a passion, anything.

Find it, and let go.

Shut the silent killer up.