Comments on: Understanding the Anxious Mind http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/ Career and life advice for the new generation Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:14:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The Miseducation of a Woman | Modite http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-341671 The Miseducation of a Woman | Modite Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:06:50 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-341671 [...] I am looking in the mirror more often lately. Ryan says this to me, over Christmas vacation, while we sit in a high-rise condo that has a mirror on [...] [...] I am looking in the mirror more often lately. Ryan says this to me, over Christmas vacation, while we sit in a high-rise condo that has a mirror on [...]

]]> By: The Corruption of Authenticity… | It’s as simple as putting the biscuit in the basket http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-340402 The Corruption of Authenticity… | It’s as simple as putting the biscuit in the basket Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:21:18 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-340402 [...] is entertaining, like a domino of tabloids back-to-back. And while we instinctively know that insistent self-actualization is an incredibly banal form of entertainment, it remains so vast in its infectiousness, and so [...] [...] is entertaining, like a domino of tabloids back-to-back. And while we instinctively know that insistent self-actualization is an incredibly banal form of entertainment, it remains so vast in its infectiousness, and so [...]

]]> By: Gloria http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-337955 Gloria Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:46:27 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-337955 Hi Rebecca, I'm a new fan of your blog. I've been going back to read older posts and have stumbled upon so many in which I think to myself "oh my god, that's exactly how I feel/think too!" So first off, kudos to you for having such great content. Second, I suffer from the same anxiety issues. I've dealt with them my whole life. I can date mine back to the first day of third grade when I almost didn't go to school because I was fearful of a new teacher, classroom, friends, etc. Today the anxiety is similar to yours. I find it hard to make last minute decisions and I'm always weighing out the "what ifs" in my head. My recommendation to you is to keep talking about it. This blog post is a start but being open with your friends/loved ones helps because they can help you through the issues that are producing the anxiety. Hi Rebecca,

I’m a new fan of your blog. I’ve been going back to read older posts and have stumbled upon so many in which I think to myself “oh my god, that’s exactly how I feel/think too!” So first off, kudos to you for having such great content.

Second, I suffer from the same anxiety issues. I’ve dealt with them my whole life. I can date mine back to the first day of third grade when I almost didn’t go to school because I was fearful of a new teacher, classroom, friends, etc. Today the anxiety is similar to yours. I find it hard to make last minute decisions and I’m always weighing out the “what ifs” in my head.

My recommendation to you is to keep talking about it. This blog post is a start but being open with your friends/loved ones helps because they can help you through the issues that are producing the anxiety.

]]> By: sfordinarygirl http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-334855 sfordinarygirl Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:02:48 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-334855 You simply have to let go of whatever anxiety, thoughts, what-ifs and possibilities are clouding your mind from making the decision. Maybe a simpler way of approaching the situation is "what's the worst that could happen," and go for it. Another suggestion is praticing being in the present. Instead of over analyzing the decision focus on what's really important at that very moment. You could tell yourself "yes, I'll go," and then move on. Make the decision and then stop thinking. When we spend so much time analyzing or thinking about all the things we need to do for that thing to happen, it heightens our anxiety and shuts down our ability to be calm. Practicing living in the present frees us and most of the time eliminates all the "what ifs." You simply have to let go of whatever anxiety, thoughts, what-ifs and possibilities are clouding your mind from making the decision. Maybe a simpler way of approaching the situation is “what’s the worst that could happen,” and go for it.

Another suggestion is praticing being in the present. Instead of over analyzing the decision focus on what’s really important at that very moment. You could tell yourself “yes, I’ll go,” and then move on. Make the decision and then stop thinking. When we spend so much time analyzing or thinking about all the things we need to do for that thing to happen, it heightens our anxiety and shuts down our ability to be calm. Practicing living in the present frees us and most of the time eliminates all the “what ifs.”

]]> By: The bastardization of authenticity | Modite http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-333154 The bastardization of authenticity | Modite Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:22:57 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-333154 [...] is entertaining, like a domino of tabloids back-to-back. And while we instinctively know that insistent self-actualization is an incredibly banal form of entertainment, it remains so vast in its infectiousness, and so [...] [...] is entertaining, like a domino of tabloids back-to-back. And while we instinctively know that insistent self-actualization is an incredibly banal form of entertainment, it remains so vast in its infectiousness, and so [...]

]]> By: Does it Really Work? What Happens When You Risk It at Personal PR http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-325869 Does it Really Work? What Happens When You Risk It at Personal PR Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:22:27 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-325869 [...] Without knowing what’s going to happen. Embracing the possibility of the worst. And the anticipation of the best. [...] [...] Without knowing what’s going to happen. Embracing the possibility of the worst. And the anticipation of the best. [...]

]]> By: Modern Manners | Modite http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-323573 Modern Manners | Modite Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:08:04 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-323573 [...] the bill is something I’ve debated at length with Ryan - not the act of paying it, but how to do it. For instance when I first started dating him, I never [...] [...] the bill is something I’ve debated at length with Ryan – not the act of paying it, but how to do it. For instance when I first started dating him, I never [...]

]]> By: nadia http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-322084 nadia Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:40:24 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-322084 Thank you for writing this! It's comforting to know I'm not alone since I too tend to be quite obsessive in over analyzing the little details and sometimes I get so caught up in worrying, that I panic more often than I should. It's nice to take a more laid back approach but it's harder to I noticed when it comes to making realistic decisions especially ones that can have an effect on your future and life's goals. Then again maybe it is about taking it one step at a time, that way we worry less? Thank you for writing this! It’s comforting to know I’m not alone since I too tend to be quite obsessive in over analyzing the little details and sometimes I get so caught up in worrying, that I panic more often than I should. It’s nice to take a more laid back approach but it’s harder to I noticed when it comes to making realistic decisions especially ones that can have an effect on your future and life’s goals. Then again maybe it is about taking it one step at a time, that way we worry less?

]]> By: Bradd http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-321947 Bradd Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:28:57 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-321947 Out of a long list of blogs on a website I came to yours with only a strong urge to visit. Lo and behold "Understanding the Anxious Mind" and one of the clearest insights I've ever gotten of anxiety awaited me. I look at anxious people, my wife one, who are very accomplished yet exhibit such strong anxiety - breakdowns, shortness of breath, panic attacks, etc. My perspective was that of seeing anxiety as a "full and busy mind", out of control with the obvious symptoms. Yet when there was mention of an "easy going mind" I was suddenly struck hard - VERY HARD. I have always been laid back, easy going. What I've realized, having tried to understand this anxiety thing for myself, is that severe anxiety that shows with the obvious panic attacks, etc can also show as paralysis, through nesting, habitual "living" - all participated in with an easy going mind. I've barley worked in 2 years yet have looked at panic attacks, etc. as sad and unfortunate symptoms of preventing one with anxiety to live, even though these people (yourself, my wife) are still quite accomplished individuals! They still are able to do! Something I have not quite been able to do as much as I crave, while being "laid back" - at least that is what shows - and a reasonably quite mind. Thanks all so much for the insight. I will be back here. Out of a long list of blogs on a website I came to yours with only a strong urge to visit. Lo and behold “Understanding the Anxious Mind”
and one of the clearest insights I’ve ever gotten of anxiety awaited me.
I look at anxious people, my wife one, who are very accomplished yet exhibit such strong anxiety – breakdowns, shortness of breath, panic attacks, etc. My perspective was that of seeing anxiety as a “full and busy mind”, out of control with the obvious symptoms.
Yet when there was mention of an “easy going mind” I was suddenly struck hard – VERY HARD.
I have always been laid back, easy going. What I’ve realized, having tried to understand this anxiety thing for myself, is that severe anxiety that shows with the obvious panic attacks, etc can also show as paralysis, through nesting, habitual “living” – all participated in with an easy going mind. I’ve barley worked in 2 years yet have looked at panic attacks, etc. as sad and unfortunate symptoms of preventing one with anxiety to live, even though these people (yourself, my wife) are still quite accomplished individuals! They still are able to do!
Something I have not quite been able to do as much as I crave, while being “laid back” – at least that is what shows – and a reasonably quite mind.
Thanks all so much for the insight. I will be back here.

]]> By: On the need to improvise your life: truly beyond the list « Life Beyond The List http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/comment-page-1/#comment-321871 On the need to improvise your life: truly beyond the list « Life Beyond The List Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:11:14 +0000 http://modite.com/blog/2009/10/27/nesting-in-an-anxious-mind/#comment-321871 [...] there and enjoy it. And that can be fraught with anxiety, much like the type that Gen Y blogger, Rebecca Thorman describes over at Modite. Just like her, i find myself ‘nesting’ my way out of anxiety, [...] [...] there and enjoy it. And that can be fraught with anxiety, much like the type that Gen Y blogger, Rebecca Thorman describes over at Modite. Just like her, i find myself ‘nesting’ my way out of anxiety, [...]

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