This time, I want to talk about my journey of hiding high functioning anxiety and how I found true passion in success.
For years, I struggled with high functioning anxiety without even realizing it. On the surface, everything seemed fine – I had a successful career, a loving family, and plenty of hobbies to keep me busy. But inside, I was constantly worried about everything. I obsessed over the details of my work, constantly second-guessing myself and feeling like I wasn’t good enough. I worried about what people thought of me, and whether or not I was living up to their expectations. I even worried about things that hadn’t happened yet, constantly imagining worst-case scenarios and preparing myself for the worst.
At first, I thought this was just normal stress. I thought that everyone felt this way, and that I just needed to work harder to overcome it. But the truth is, I was dealing with something much more serious – high functioning anxiety.
It wasn’t until I started talking to a therapist that I began to understand what was really going on. I learned that high functioning anxiety is a real thing, and that it affects a lot of people – especially those who are high achievers. I also learned that there are ways to manage it, and that I didn’t have to keep suffering in silence.
One of the things that helped me the most was finding my true passion in life. For me, that passion was helping others. I started volunteering more, and I found that helping people in need was incredibly fulfilling. It gave me a sense of purpose that I had never experienced before, and it helped me to put my anxiety into perspective. Suddenly, all of those worries and fears didn’t seem so important anymore. I had something much bigger to focus on.
Another thing that helped me was learning to be more mindful. I started practicing meditation and mindfulness exercises, which helped me to stay focused and present in the moment. I also learned to let go of the things I couldn’t control, and to focus on the things that I could. This helped me to feel more in control of my life, and it gave me a sense of peace that I had never experienced before.
In the end, I realized that hiding my high functioning anxiety was only making things worse. It wasn’t until I opened up and started talking about it that I was able to find the help and support that I needed. And by finding my true passion in life and learning to be more mindful, I was able to overcome my anxiety and live a happier, more fulfilling life.
Looking back on my journey, I can identify three best decisions and biggest mistakes that I made:
My Three Best Decisions:
- Seeking help from a therapist to understand and manage my high functioning anxiety.
- Finding my true passion in life through volunteering and helping others.
- Practicing mindfulness and letting go of the things I couldn’t control.
My Biggest Mistakes:
- Not realizing that I was struggling with high functioning anxiety for years and not seeking help earlier.
- Thinking that I needed to work harder to overcome my anxiety instead of recognizing it as a real and serious issue.
- Hiding my anxiety and not talking about it with anyone, which only made things worse.
If you’re struggling with high functioning anxiety, I encourage you to seek help. Talk to a therapist or a trusted friend, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. And remember, you’re not alone – there are millions of people out there who are dealing with the same thing. With the right help and support, you can find your true passion in life and overcome your anxiety once and for all.
About The Author
Steve Fredlund is The Safari Dude. As a professional actuary in human resources analytics, he uncovered surprising factors that enhance employee engagement, and work enjoyment; key elements for effectiveness, enhanced retention, productivity, and organizational success.
Minnesota to Rwanda, nonprofit to corporate, start-ups to Fortune 500 companies he brings to your event thirty years of leadership success. Steve’s personal safari mission is to help great leaders and their teams enjoy an epic safari by getting the right peeps in their jeeps and in the right seats.
