“I am not my anxiety”

I spent most of my youth and young adulthood worrying about things. Would my family life erupt into chaos, would people like me, would I look stupid if I wore that outfit? Even in my 60s, I am known among my friends as the one of us who is going to fret about something that isn’t happening for another two weeks.

It turns out that anxiety does nothing helpful for anyone, least of all the person experiencing it. On the contrary, it quickly limits everything you do. I feel happy that, with therapy, anti-anxiety medication, hard work, and some very loving friends, I spend a lot more time these days appreciating the moment and a lot less time worrying about what’s to come.