What Anxiety Was Trying to Teach Me All Along

I never thought freedom from anxiety was possible.

I didn't want to be anxious, but I felt like I was constantly racing the clock, trying to make sure everything was taken care of for my family.

I lived much of my life as an anxious person. Most of my waking moments were spent worrying about what I was responsible for next: dinner plans, what time one of the kids needed to be somewhere, the details of upcoming events, the laundry, whether the floors needed mopping, and even whether it was trash day.

You get the picture.

When I worked outside the home as a teacher and school counselor, I carried those responsibilities all day. Then on the drive home, I switched hats and became mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.

Somewhere along the way, I became a glorified task-completer with anxiety and acid reflux surviving on cheese sticks and caffeinated beverages, but I was no longer fully living.