In the journey of understanding and healing anxiety, one of the most powerful tools I’ve discovered is curiosity.
Anxiety thrives in the unknown. It spirals with questions like:
- “What if I mess up?”
- “What if I say the wrong thing?”
- “What if they don’t like me?”
These “what ifs” are like runaway trains. But here’s the magic—if we gently shift those questions into curiosity, everything changes.
Try this instead:
- “I wonder what I could do if I forget what I was going to say.”
- “I’m curious how I might support myself in that situation.”
- “What might help me feel a little more confident next time?”
Suddenly, your brain has something to work with. Instead of spinning out, it starts seeking solutions. You reclaim choice. You begin to feel empowered.
And that’s the difference curiosity makes. It doesn’t need you to have all the answers—it just invites you to explore. And exploration is where healing begins.
Use Time to Ground Yourself
Another tool that’s surprisingly effective? Adding time into your language.
Instead of saying:
- “I’m always anxious.”
Try:
- “I feel anxious right now, thinking about tomorrow’s meeting.”
This grounds you in the present moment and reminds your brain that what you’re feeling is linked to something specific—and temporary.
That shift alone can bring relief. It opens the door for the next gentle step forward.
In our next post, we’ll look at how trust plays a central role in anxiety—and how restoring that trust can be a powerful foundation for healing. Until then, I hope you remember:
You are not broken. You are in process. And you are not alone.