Let’s Normalize Anxiety and More - episode 156
“Keep going, you will be all right,” is the advice My Linh would give her 10-year old self if she could. Having experienced trauma in her early years, My Linh understands anxiety all too well. She has learned to give herself permission on the hard days, and to accept the entire journey as part of who she is with no judgment. Normalizing this fear is now part of her message to others. (My Linh’s previous episode is She Likes to Motivate People to TRY.)
The biggest takeaway? My Linh wants us all to know there is always someone to help you the way you need it. If we can’t find it we need to look somewhere else. Many fears are worth facing and getting a handle on so keep doing the work, it’s important because you are important. Don’t you want more? And let’s hope My Linh writes her book. She has depth and value to share with a unique and personal perspective. I’ll be first in line to purchase it.
Figure out the better way.
— My Linh Lu
Unlearning a Lesson
Thoughts from Let’s Normalize Anxiety and More
I grew up a sensitive little girl who was prone to worry. I had various fears that would come into play at different times. Now mind you I had a solid childhood - lots of fun, I loved school, had good friends, I enjoyed my life. Yet there was this side, this inner voice that liked to play the what-if game. I didn't share it with anyone and of course that made it worse. I think this is why I am drawn to My Linh’s story. It’s part of my own, I can relate.
As I grew up I learned the name for this: anxiety. At one point I had a hard time even leaving the house. At age 21 I finally told my mom I needed help. A therapist was found. Through talk-therapy, therapeutic exercises, and learning about anxiety, the power of it began to dissipate. Like the air being let out of a balloon, it lost its hold on me and I became more free to be me.
When the inner voice wants to play what-if I counter with "worst-case scenario." You take the thing you are worried about and you verbalize all of the possibilities that are negative, that are awful, ones you would never want to happen. You keep going until there aren’t any left for you to come up with.
Back to the balloon, with each one you are letting air out of the thing, making it far less powerful and worrisome than it was. You may even find yourself feeling lighter, giggling. Hearing them out loud diminishes their capacity to worry you. Less worry, less fear. Chances are none of them come true. But if one does, you will be able to tackle it because you will be in the “what is” zone. Dealing with things as they come. And your today? Well that will feel far more manageable. That equals peace of mind and living more fully in the present.
So I unlearned what seemed to come naturally to me: anxiety. When we learn about ourselves, when we find trustworthy people who understand who we are, when we have the courage to speak up, we can move forward a far better version of ourselves. Healthy. Fulfilled. Whole.
Never let your fear decide your fate.
— Aaron Bruno
I had a fear of travel. I could not let fear stop me from doing things I wanted to do. Here I am in New York where I have been many times.
