More than a decade ago, college administrators placed a huge emphasis on entrance test scores. However, this is no longer the case as colleges have realized that academic scores do not tell the whole story about a person’s true potential. Just like students are more than a test score upon entering college, you are more than your anxiety.
Many individuals grappling with anxiety tend to define their days and weeks solely based on their anxiety levels. “It’s only a good day if I’m not feeling anxious.” Do you resonate with this sentiment? In reality, you are more than the symptoms and challenges linked to anxiety.
Your Life Pizza
Imagine ordering your favorite pizza and discovering a slice with an ingredient you dislike just as you’re about to take a bite. What would you do in that situation?
Ideally, you would either remove the ingredient or skip that slice while still enjoying the rest of the pizza.
Similar to your pizza, life is a mix of various ingredients and flavors, including one you may find undesirable—anxiety! Often, you might wish you could eliminate this element from your life. However, trying to remove internal experiences can lead to frustration, disappointment, and sometimes even despair.
The great thing is that the unwanted ingredient in your life pizza doesn’t have to spoil the entire experience. You are more than your anxiety; there’s no need to be hard on yourself because of it.
Activity: Crafting Your “Life Pizza”
To begin, grab a piece of paper and a writing tool to create your “life pizza.” On this visual representation, jot down your interests, talents, and most importantly, what ignites your passion – what makes your heart leap and who and what holds significance for you.
If you’re finding it challenging to identify these elements, consider responding to the following questions to help complete your “life pizza” and recognize that you are more than your anxiety.
Write your answers to each question on separate pizza slices.
- What activities do I enjoy or used to enjoy before anxiety became prevalent in my life?
- What activities bring me joy even if I’m not proficient at them?
- What activities do I perform adequately that bring me energy, passion, and joy?
- What aspects do I deeply care about, such as people, pets, or activities?
- What personal traits contribute to my vitality and joy?
- What values and principles are most significant to me?
Examine your “life pizza.” It likely contains numerous ingredients that resonate with you and hold importance.
Now, include the one ingredient you may wish you didn’t have – anxiety. Naturally, no one welcomes anxiety. How do you typically respond to this unwelcome ingredient? Do you resist, combat, disregard, or try to avoid it as much as possible?
It’s often mentioned that while pain is universal, suffering is optional. The moment you desire the absence of this undesirable ingredient, it tends to intensify. The more you wish it away, the more you focus on it, making it more prominent.
When prompted to incorporate anxiety into your “life pizza,” did you feel compelled to write ANXIETY across the entire pizza because it seems like anxiety has taken over your life? Feel free to do so if that resonates with you.
If you find it challenging to understand that anxiety should not hinder a meaningful and vibrant life, reflect on the following questions:
- How do I react when I receive an ingredient on my favorite pizza that I dislike?
- When faced with an uncomfortable feeling like anxiety in life, how do I respond?
- Will attempting to eliminate anxiety, similar to removing an unwanted pizza ingredient, yield results?
- Have I acknowledged that anxiety cannot be eradicated as easily as an unwanted pizza topping?
- If not, have I dedicated time to practicing ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy) skills to view anxiety differently?
- Should I seek guidance from a professional to realize that trying to eliminate anxiety consumes time that could be spent living the life I desire?
- Is it worth concentrating on removing something that naturally fluctuates?
- Am I ready and willing to start focusing on my life?
As you contemplate your life’s pizza, can you recognize that you are more than your anxiety? You have more significant matters to focus on rather than attempting to eliminate it.
You are capable of achieving your dreams and deserving the life you envision for yourself!
Photo by Francisco Moreno on Unsplash
