Brazilian’s Anxiety Struggle Reveals 7 Life Lessons

The philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once described anxiety as “the dizziness of freedom.” A writer has detailed a lifelong relationship with anxiety, stating it is not an article about positive thinking or finding silver linings. He clarifies it is not about toxic positivity, but about what he has learned from a condition that remains present.

At times, he says the anxiety becomes intense and difficult to manage. He emphasizes that learning from anxiety is not an endorsement of it, and he would trade all the lessons for less of it. The act of writing about it even causes anxiety, but he wants to share experiences that might help others.

An Early Experience

He recalls an incident from his childhood in the 1980s. While playing unsupervised tackle football, another child’s pants were pulled down during a play, exposing him. While others laughed, the writer was terrified it would happen to him. He began tying his pants extremely tight with a string, which made his stomach hurt, and started feeling sick regularly. At the time, mental health was not discussed openly, so he was seen as the kid who got sick before school, not as someone dealing with anxiety.

He notes his anxiety has become more noticeable in recent years, possibly worsening since having COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. This has forced him to deal with it more mindfully.

Seven Lessons Learned

First, anxiety has taught him to be present. The intensity of high anxiety roots him in the current moment, forcing a focus on physiological sensations. He observes how the mind turns these sensations into the emotion of anxiety, which is where he feels suffering originates.

Second, it has taught him about control. He recognizes anxiety shows him what he can and cannot control. While he cannot control the sources of anxiety, he can control his response to them. It also directs his mind to something bigger than himself, a useful reminder that he is not in charge of everything.

Third, anxiety teaches him to maintain good habits and boundaries. When feeling well, he allows habits to slip, eats poorly, stops exercising, and lets unhealthy people have a larger role in his life. Anxiety serves as a reminder of the consequences of this unhealthiness, prompting him to “clean house” when it spikes.

Fourth, anxiety reminds him of the importance of growth. After addressing bad habits, he looks for new projects. This led him to let his counseling license go inactive to focus on less stressful life coaching. He has also changed his diet and exercise routines due to anxiety and blood pressure, establishing better habits.

Fifth, anxiety taught him to be gentle. When experiencing high anxiety, he feels fragile, which helps him understand how his blunt communication might affect others. He finds he becomes gentler with everyone around him when he is anxious.

Sixth, anxiety taught him to slow down and ask for help. He learned that making quick decisions during an anxiety spike often leads to poor outcomes. Now, he slows down and becomes intentional about decisions, and he talks things out with someone else, a practice he was not inclined to do before.

Seventh, anxiety helps him speed up. He references a quote from folk singer Joan Baez: “Action is the antidote to anxiety.” For tasks that cause anxiety, like certain phone calls, taking action is the way through it.

The broader conversation around anxiety disorders continues in the United States, with increasing public discussion aimed at reducing stigma. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting millions of adults every year. This openness contrasts with past decades, like the 1980s mentioned by the writer, when public discourse on mental health was far more limited. Clinical guidance consistently recommends professional help for managing chronic anxiety, alongside personal coping strategies.