Overcoming anxiety

[Matto85]

Because I had too much fun in my teen years I've beaten myself up to become the dedicated hard worker I am today, and now I feel like I've forgotten how to relax and have fun. It's like I'm so wired for efficiency that I've become like a robot or something. I've taken up smoking pot for the first time in my life in my 30s cause it calms me down and it's the only way I can actually laugh at things. I've since quit that though. Idk why I'm so anxious all the time my life is fairly low maintenance. Does anyone in the same boat have any pointers?

[Wiseman2]

Robot mode is great for getting things done and building your life up. However now it's time to relax naturally and find some avocations in addition to your profession.

 

Make sure you prevent burn-out by having leisure activities to do whether it's sports, hobbies, interests, hanging out with friends, family, etc. Down time is as important for success as soldiering forward.

I've beaten myself up to become the dedicated hard worker I am today, and now I feel like I've forgotten how to relax and have fun.

[Jibralta]

When you are feeling anxious, what are your thoughts like?

[happyfrank]

How many times per week are you working out?

[Matto85]

Robot mode is great for getting things done and building your life up. However now it's time to relax naturally and find some avocations in addition to your profession.

 

Make sure you prevent burn-out by having leisure activities to do whether it's sports, hobbies, interests, hanging out with friends, family, etc. Down time is as important for success as soldiering forward.

 

I'm anxious about my leisure activities too! Lol. I think I'm afraid of failure, looking stupid in front of people, letting poeple down or possibly being "figured out" and outted as s fraud. These are my usual thoughts I think. Honestly I shut down so I'm not sure

[Fesfas]

I think I'm afraid of failure, looking stupid in front of people, letting poeple down or possibly being "figured out" and outted as s fraud. These are my usual thoughts I think. Honestly I shut down so I'm not sure

 

I hear you. It sounds like you and I are quite similar in this respect. But I guess over the years I am slowly realizing that mainly people judge you not so much on your everyday comportment but more on how you react to certain situations, i.e. when something goes wrong and you are risk of "looking stupid". I find that humility goes a long way in these situations. Also, something I have been trying recently is to look at every problem situation as an opportunity. If something bad happens, I make a mistake or I "let somebody down" I try to focus on what I can learn from the situation in order to expand my breadth of experience. Occasionally I find even find that I am happy when something goes awry because the lesson I learn is one of great value which will save me some headaches in the future. I have found that when I approach situations with this sense of open curiosity and humility I come off as much more intelligent and enlightened (for lack of a better word) in the eyes of others, and as a result I become more "attractive" because they can see my flawed side but also my drive to improve myself. But it's hard, I know, and sometimes I'm unable to get myself into that state of mind. Seems to depend on the day of the week.

 

Keep struggling. Understanding that you want to change is the first step. You're not the only one who has these insecurities

[Batya33]

I also would do 4-7-8 breathing exercises - and I also visualize each number as I do it. Google Weil and 4-7-8