Alejandra – 23, Anxiety
I would’ve never imagined how my life would change for the better after being diagnosed with a relapsed cancer. I guess when you face a situation like this, you try to prepare yourself mentally and physically as much as you can and just hope for the best. However, I never realized everything I was keeping trapped inside of me until I had my first anxiety attack. It was a hot New York summer day. Mid-June, and I had been released from the hospital just a few days prior. I remember the voices of the children out on the hallway as they laughed and cheered their way out of the building, planning a picnic at the park or an ice cream trip with their parents.
No one would’ve guessed that just right on the other side of the wall there was I. Paralyzed, feeling out of breath, heart racing, wanting to scream and run, but most of all longing for peace. Over the next few months I had to work through- with the help of my doctors and family- and overcome what I believe was the hardest part of my treatment: dealing with anxiety. Feeling like you are not in control of your body, emotions, and thoughts.
I found that even though we may not always be in control of what happens, we can be in control of how we react to stressful circumstances. I tend to remind myself to pause and breathe. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and think of how far I’ve come. My experiences with anxiety led me to a path of enlightenment. I learned how to listen closely, to listen to others, but most importantly to listen to myself. To listen to what my body has to say and to take care of me first. I now know that for me, anxiety is the result of overthinking, and allowing it to stay will only take away my peace. I now know that nothing, not a single worry in the world, is worth my peace. For many, anxiety is a daily struggle, but it is important to remember to take time to try and find your peace.
With a life full of distractions, craziness, and responsibilities, it is easy to get carried away and forget to take care of us. Once in a while it is great to take a pause.
Breathe.
Think of everything that you’ve overcame and that has brought you to where you are. And always remember, you are never alone.