That picture on the left is me in front of a random ship in New York about 2 years ago. I have been to New York several times, as well as other states and a few countries. Traveling has always been a passion of mine and has greatly helped with my anxiety. I have been dealing with my anxiety since the age of 12. It has affected all factors of my life whether educational, social, or personal. For example, I used to take dance lessons from the ages of 8 to 15, hence the photo of the ballerina on the right. I absolutely loved dancing. However, I ended up quitting because of how anxious I was making friends at my dance studio (it didn't help with how cliquey ballerinas can be). I have always regretted quitting dance, but I try to see it as just one learning lesson of how to deal with my anxiety.
I have since then found many different ways to cope with my anxiety. Traveling is one of my strategies. It allows me to leave my comfort zone and build independence, confidence, and new perspectives on life. For example I traveled to Italy when I was 16 with a program that placed high school students together for a week, then allowed us to stay with a host family for a month. I gained a significant amount of confidence through new friendships, traveling alone, and living with an Italian family. So much so, that I went back the next summer to stay with the same family for another month. The second time I even traveled Italy alone for a week staying at different hostels and meeting a diverse group of people.
While having anxiety has been an extremely difficult disorder to live with, I have gained invaluable knowledge and learned new ways to navigate through life. It has provided me with new perspectives that I wouldn't have gained without struggling. I will continue to grow for the lessons that my anxiety has to teach me.
Hey Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI relate to you! I love travelling as well! Though I probably have not gone to nearly as many places as you have, I travel at least once a year out of state or country. It's such a liberating feeling being free from your daily routine back at home. I also love travelling for the sole fact I get to learn and respect different cultures and traditions in different places of the world. I'm glad you found a healthy outlet for your anxiety, a method that would not affect your emotional, personal, or social life but rather encourage it!
Hi Sarah! That’s very neat that you travel so much, I too enjoy the life of running from airport to airport. It’s incredible to see how beautiful our world and the cultures in it really is. I too suffer from extreme anxiety so getting out of my daily routine and the same environment really helps me cope with it. I’m happy for you and glad you found a way that helps you.
ReplyDeleteOddly, you learned how to overcome anxiety by putting yourself in anxiety-producing situations! That's really profound.
ReplyDeleteErin