I originally wrote this open letter to my anxiety post with a guest post opportunity in mind. But, instead, I decided to share it in the lead up to World Mental Health Day 2021
I am finally telling the negative voice in my head it doesn’t rule my thoughts and it has to go…
Anxiety,
I am writing to you, but not as a dear friend. Instead, as a goodbye! Yes, you will remain in healthy amounts and you will be managed when you become unruly.
But you will never again destroy my life as you have done for so many years. You’ve taken up rent-free space in my brain for too long now. Making me believe your negative jibes.
You made me pretend I was just a difficult person, that you were part of my personality, I was highly strung and you made me lie to the people closest to me to cover up our toxic partnership. I suffered in silence and my family never understood my erratic behaviour, until now. Honesty has made your existence worth nothing. You have no hold over me now. I am taking control of my mind. It’s mine, not yours.
I cut friends out of my life, partly due to the fears you poured into my head. I might have outgrown these friends anyway, but we will never know now.
Being in a better place mentally is wonderful and I finally feel free. On the other hand, it brings with it hindsight and looking over past decisions I’ve made. Your hold over me tarnished my life and stopped me from achieving some goals. Again, maybe these achievements were meant for me and maybe they were not.
Luckily, I am a strong-minded person. Therefore, I achieved my main goals in life. I got a degree, I had a career and I now have a wonderful husband and baby girl. To clarify, your presence made each of these tasks excruciating and painful to bear. It was difficult to get through each one of these achievements, but I did it, all whilst you lingered in the shadows, dragging me down.
I acted irrationally during what should have been the happiest times of my life. I saw situations through a negative lens because of you polluting my thoughts. I genuinely thought I was worthless, inadequate, not good enough to achieve my goals, be a good friend, wife, or mother. You made me believe I was nothing.
You made me spend years soul-searching, lost, lonely, and not knowing which direction to go in. Thankfully, my intuition is on point and I have my angels looking over me! Despite your poison, some higher power was guiding me through life, looking out for me.
I’ve already said goodbye to your ugly, negative vibes and gradually made progress in my recovery over the last few months. This letter is to cement this idea. To finally tell you to go away. You are being replaced with positive thoughts only and if you do creep back in, it won’t be for long. My toolbox of strategies will ensure you are quickly eradicated. Exterminated, gone!
Anxiety, you have been evicted. Banished to a locked box in a dark cave, so you can’t infect anyone else. I will never need you again. Stay locked away and allow me to reach my full potential in life.
Goodbye…
I hope you liked my post…
If you are impacted by any of the issues raised in this blog post, you can seek support here.
You can also read more about my mental health journey here.
You can read more of my blog posts in the mental health category here…
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Wow, this is so powerful, well done for publishing such a personal take on your anxiety. Acknowledging it all must’ve been really eye-opening, so much respect <3
Teresa Maria | Outlandish Blog
Author
Thank you very much for your lovely comment – it was very therapeutic to write the post.
Anxiety is so awful. I love the idea of writing a letter to anxiety saying goodbye.
Author
It’s the worst. It honestly felt great writing this letter!
Amazing post. Loved reading your letter to your anxiety. I tend to do this when my anxiety is at it worse. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Thank you – I had to put something in writing and love looking back on the post when I don’t feel too great!
Oh my goodness. What a lovely read! I am so happy for you that you are finally free from the shackles of your anxiety ???????? Great post ????
Author
Thank you for your lovely comment. Like everyone, I still have bad days. But I have coping methods in place now. Which is great!
This is such a healthy thing to do! I love the idea of speaking to these parts of our lives that we’ve overcome, that have had holds on us. Thank you for openly sharing your journey. That’s not an easy thing to do but it definitely helps others.
Author
Thank you so much for the lovely comment 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing such an honest piece! So glad you’re in a much better place.
Author
Thank you x
Hooray!!!!!!! Bye bye anxiety!!!!!! Keep up the good work, galpal. I will always root for you. Thank you for sharing this inspiring post.
Author
Thank you so much for the lovely comment. And goodbye indeed, hehe! 🙂
This is such an open and honest look at your anxiety, thank you so much for sharing. I think this will help other people understand and move away from their anxiety or related mental health concerns
Author
Thank you – I hope it helps other people out there!
Thank you for your article, which is helpful to me.
Author
Thanks for reading.
Big praise and credit to you for sharing and writing this. I hope doing so has been helpful in itself, I am sure it will help others too!
Author
Thank you – it definitely helped. And I also hope it helps others.
Hard to read how much anxiety has affected you. I really hope this helps you get a hold on it. Thanks for sharing
Author
Thank you for your comment. It was a difficult post to write, but it felt great to get it all out.
This is a very creative way to address a mental health issue. Anxiety is a real thing, even so now more than ever. Writing a letter to anxiety is a great coping mechanism.
Author
I totally agree 🙂
Writing a letter to your anxiety and putting it in its place is a fantastic way to deal with it. It’s not easy o tell anxiety to shut up and leave you alone but I applaud you for doing so. My anxiety has improved a lot over the last few years, and while it’s not completely gone it has taken a major backseat in my life.
Author
It felt like a great way to finally put an end to it ruling my life. I am happy your anxiety is also under control!
Love this! It can be hard to let that gripping anxiety go, but I love the finality of this letter. Reclaim your life girl!
Author
Thank you so much for this comment. I totally just thought if I get it down on paper, I can then refer back to it on my bad days.
Author
Thank you. It felt very liberating. Like a final goodbye to the rubbish times in my life. I still struggle some days, but a weight has been lifted.
I really love the mission and motivation behind your blog. Thank you for your vulnerability and sharing this post. I struggle with anxiety as well and it was refreshing to see a more intimate description of someone’s experience with it. I look forward to reading more of your journey.
Author
Thank you very much for your comment, it means a lot to get feedback like this.
I am sorry to hear you struggle with anxiety, it’s the worst.
Can’t wait for you to read my future posts, thanks for stopping by.
I’m trying to send my anxiety packing so I read each word nodding my head as I empathize with what you have experienced. Thank you for sharing this — it has helped.
Author
I am glad this post has helped and I know there are people out there who can relate.
We got this. It’s just a case of taking it day by day and being conscious not to let anxiety back in. I still get all the same triggers and feelings. I just work damn hard every minute of every day now to not allow it to get the best of me. Sometimes I fail.
I can definitely relate to some level to this letter. I loved how honest and direct it was. I am glad you decided to leave your anxiety behind and not let it take wlaway from you all the potential you have. I also love the idea of including your thoughts in a letter and sharing it through your blog. Letting your thoughts come out this way is liberating. Thank you for sharing them ????
Author
Thank you for your comment, it means a lot.
Even though it was a bit scary relating this type of post, it felt therapeutic to get it all out and I hope writing like this helps other people.
This is great! Wave it goodbye.
Author
Exactly!
Good letter! You’re strong, dear friend. So stand tall!
Author
Thank you x
Thank you for sharing this. It’s relatable to me and I’m sure to other people as well.
Author
I am glad sharing this helps other people.
Such an open and honest letter for others to read. Anxiety really can be so debilitating and affect all areas of your life. This will help other people feel less alone. Thank you for sharing this.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
Author
Thank you and I totally agree it is debilitating. I don’t want anyone to feel the way I did!
Anxiety is a cruel and invisible illness. Your letter is so thought provoking and gives insight into what it does and how hard it is to break free. So glad you managed to.
Author
It is. And thank you very much. I feel so much better now I am aware of the triggers and work hard to be positive.
This is an inspiring personal story of breaking free and living a free life. Thank you for sharing this letter.
Author
Thank you for your comment, all this lovely feedback really does mean a lot to me.
Thank you for sharing your letter ❤ It’s so hard when anxiety has such a tight grip, well done for this letter x
Author
It’s so difficult and thank you x
Wow thanks for sharing such a personal story about breaking free, and I’m so glad to hear you’re now able to start enjoying the life around you! Anxiety can really get its grips in on you and it’s amazing to read about how you’ve dealt with it and with such real raw honestly. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Thank you for this comment.
It means so much to me because it took a lot to release these honest posts this week. But it MUST be done!
I love it, so glad you broke free. I love your story, honesty and how you dealt with anxiety. I’m so happy for you
Author
Thank you. I am glad I broke the cycle too. It took huge life circumstances to happen and a lot of hard work. I may never be fully healed, but I am now more aware of my anxiety triggers.
I am so glad you’ve broken free and can start enjoying your life. Anxiety pretends to be our friend. It does things to ‘protect us’ which makes us grateful to it. I love your honesty, that’s how I deal with my Anxiety too. The more you share, the more you realise how many people have been living with this. They’re probably the same people your Anxiety told you not to tell x
Author
Thank you for your comment. I am glad you have the tools to deal with your anxiety, that’s great!