FeelingGoodWithSofy

Hey everyone!😊

In this wellness, and mental-health article, I’m going to share some insights on anxiety. You’ll hear about some of my personal journey with it and some tools and strategies that are helping me along the way! As always, what helps me, might not help you and vice-versa! We are all different 🙂 If you have some helpful tips, please feel free to share!❤️❤️

Trigger warning: this article discusses mental-health challenges. If you are currently struggling or going through a difficult time, please be aware that this blog post may be challenging. However, it also offers motivational content. The decision to proceed is entirely yours.❤️❤️

Besides this new anxiety article, I’ve written two others, plus one called yoga for anxiety! Here are the links:

• https://www.indiansavage.com/yoga-for-anxiety/

• https://www.indiansavage.com/ways-to-manage-anxiety/
• https://feelinggoodwithsofy.wordpress.com/2024/09/10/anxiety-ways-to-manage/

Anxiety is not a weakness…

We all experience anxiety as a natural emotion, feeling worry, fear, or unease about what’s to come. However, when these feelings become overwhelming, constant, and hinder daily functioning, they indicate an anxiety disorder.

It’s always crucial to remember, especially if you too struggle with anxiety, that anxiety is not a weakness but a mental-health condition.

Anxiety manifests in various levels, from mild to severe. Early intervention is key to preventing the condition from escalating.

Anxiety is a real battle, particularly when it becomes debilitating and crippling in one’s life.

I am one of many who struggles daily, some days more than others it depends, with severe anxiety, and I completely understand how challenging it can be at times.

A bit of my story…❤️

Throughout my life, anxiety has always been a struggle for me, especially when I went to school, although my anxiety continued to worsen and to increase at the end of high-school and afterwards.

During high school, despite taking medication to manage my mental discomfort, I often felt drained and tired in lessons. I’d sleep extensively at night yet almost always I would wake up with low energy. While antidepressants do have side effects, my anxiety was still truly overwhelming, preventing me from finding calm at school.

During my modeling years with agencies, there have been trying moments in which anxiety took over, making it harder for me to keep going.

Sharing with you a difficult episode…

I was in Milan, on a September day, to meet with two modeling agencies as I was looking to change. I was very stressed out about whether I would finally find a suitable agency that wanted me. I had recently sent my work photo book to many agencies and admit I had rushed the process.

Anyway, minutes before my first agency meeting, I felt sweat trickling down. I rushed into a nearby bar, hoping to refresh myself, and I thought that a cup of coffee would somehow boost my energy and improve my mindset.

Once in the agency, I felt my uneasiness growing stronger with every moment I spent there. When I started talking to the bookers, one of them asked me, “Why are you shaking?” And after that, when I was asked to walk in high heels like on a catwalk, my legs felt like spaghetti—a horrible sensation—making it even harder to stay calm while walking and when they asked me questions about my modeling career.

After leaving the agency, I began feeling heavier and heavier inside. When I stopped by at a café for lunch, I called my mom and burst into tears, feeling hopeless and utterly unwell.

Some thoughts regarding this episode…

• Self-kindness and acceptance are the first words that pop into my head. I was so frustrated by the demanding process of trying to get selected by renowned modeling agencies that I didn’t give myself time to process all the meetings. Every time I got a rejection message, I immediately rushed to contact the next agency. I was truly hard on myself, and I didn’t compliment myself even when I tried my best.

• Secondly, (when I broke up with my first agency) I went to Milan almost all by myself. It would have been wiser to have someone by my side, at least in some meetings, so I didn’t have to handle everything alone. Later on, my mom❤️❤️ accompanied me, and her presence gave me more strength❤️ and boosted my self-confidence before meetings.

You Are a True Warrior❤️

Navigating through challenging times where anxiety is (so) challenging shapes you into a true warrior or fighter, whatever fits you best 🙂

Anxiety has a way of lingering, just like depression, and the fact that you keep going no matter what is something to honour because it can be truly difficult!❤️

Keep in mind that you do not have to fight your battle alone, there is help from professionals and also support from loved ones. You are still a warrior, even with extra help 🙂 ❤️

Helpful tools and tips along the way…❤️

• Professional help: I highly recommend you to talk to a therapist, who can help you managing better anxiety and guide you to a better life❤️

• Medication: if necessary, medication can help you managing better the lows in your life. Talk to your doctor if you think you need this extra support!

• Mindful techniques: I find it beneficial and practical to do daily mindful exercises to calm down my nervous system, like the practice of deep breathing technique, belly breathing is one example, the practice of meditations, of yoga, listening to soothing music while journaling.

• More external support: When you start feeling on edge, overwhelmed, or generally unwell, tell a loved one or someone you trust. This allows you to feel safe and free to express your feelings and worries to others besides professionals, and ultimately gain more support and understanding. ❤️

What my therapist once told me and what I keep it as a mantra: You are so much more than you’re anxiety, you are unique, you are limitless, you will make it! 🙂

Much Love and Light ✨❤️

Sofia Lena 😊

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