Anxiety is the process of slowly imploding in on yourself. It’s mental self-destruction that a sufferer simply can’t help but perform. This is the paradox at the heart of anxiety; someone who’s drowning can’t help but try to fight and thrash themselves up towards the surface. In the exact same way, someone with anxiety desperately worries and obsesses over something as they try to keep themselves afloat. In the end, though, all this does is make their situation worse and strengthens their anxious habits. The more anxious they feel, the worse their anxiety becomes, until every day is torture and it’s all they can do to get out of bed.

Anxiety is the need for certainty, the need for control. It’s far, far more than nervousness or worrying; it’s a powerful, destructive medical condition, and it needs to be taken seriously. 

It’s thinking too much. Caring too much. Fearing too much. It is loving too much.

Anxiety is caring more than anything;  not wanting to hurt anyone’s feelings, not wanting to do anything wrong.  It’s wanting to be loved and accepted as who you are. Anxiety and all.

Sometimes, you’ll find your feelings validated in a poignant song or an incredible book, or catch a piece of your own experience in someone else’s journey. And for some reason, it just makes things seem a little better. Your depression is still there—but now, somewhere, you have an emotional soulmate.

I was so much happier 11 years ago – miss you so much Aaron ❤️ Rock on, Rockstar

I need you to remember this about friends:

1. Friends are a gift. Treat them well. In fact, treat them how you would want them to treat you.
2. Friends challenge you to be better, not challenge you to compromise.
3. Friends support your dreams.
4. Friends show up for you.
5. Friends are a reflection of your heart too.
6. Friends make you laugh.
7. Friends, real friends, are worth fighting for.
8. Friends listen.
9. Friends don’t make fun of others.
10. Friends remember you.
11. Friends will tell you if you look good or that outfit doesn’t look good or if you have something in your teeth.
12. Friends are trustworthy.
13. Friends give back, they don’t just take.
14. Friends get “you”.
15. Friends care deeply for each other.
16. Friends get in the trenches, the messy spaces of life with you.
17. Friends are empathetic, but they don’t let you wallow.
18. Friends have your back..
19. Friends are a gift, never take them for granted.
20. Friends make you a better you.

All of these years of not being able to feel my feelings and getting reprimanded for expressing them. I’m allowed to express my feelings. I’m allowed to be sad, angry, happy, whatever the emotion may be.

You don’t punish a person for having feelings when they’re hurting. You work with them to boost them up. You especially don’t go to HR to open up an investigation case.