anxiety – Page 6 – Kelly Severseike

Part Three

I’ve been doing a lot of walking on the trails by my house lately. I began early last week when I decided to stop going to the gym. The trails weren’t too crowded then. I walked Monday thru Thursday then took a few days off because of the weather. This week, I have never seenContinue reading “Part Three”

Life’s Going to Change

I’m a young woman with lung disease and a thyroid autoimmune disease.I was born three months early.A ventilator helped my under-developed lungs breathe for the first six weeks of my life.I was on oxygen for the first 2 1/2 years of my life.I’ve been on oxygen a couple of times since.I take an inhaler twiceContinue reading “Life’s Going to Change”

Settle into the Moment

I’m surrounded by people. I do not speak. I half-listen as my mind bounces around from one thought to another. I catch words here and there. I clap and don’t realize I’m clapping. Awareness allows me to settle into the moment. It takes several tries and I’m still not sure I got it. I checkContinue reading “Settle into the Moment”

My Body Remembers

My body remembers feeling the pain. I wasn’t supposed to feel pain. And yet, it’s ingrained in my body. Something went wrong. Nothing’s wrong now. And yet, I’m crying. The fear my body holds is visceral. My brain tries to calm me down. It does not work. I keep crying, I breathe. I panic. IContinue reading “My Body Remembers”

Quiet Mind

I sit in a room with my legs crossed and my hands on my knees. I’m focused on my breath, trying hard to ignore my racing thoughts. The music is relaxing and the yoga teacher is the only one who is speaking. Her presence is calming and trusting. I feel safe. I’m trying to getContinue reading “Quiet Mind”

Saturday Drive

I go on a drive looking for my old self.I listen to old music and sing along. Dixie Chicks and Bob Dylan,Songs from my childhood that have bled into my young adult years.The leaves have barely changedAs the season of summer is about to leave for the year.Saturday, 79 degrees, and endless blue skiesGuide myContinue reading “Saturday Drive”

Hello Stranger

I wake up in the morning and do not feel like myself. My body aches in unfamiliar ways. The joints in my hands crack, my right thumb somehow feels unnerved. The muscles in my back and neck haven’t been the same since experiencing multiple panic attacks. I look in the mirror and do not recognizeContinue reading “Hello Stranger”

Divided Mind

The mind is at war with itself. Tugging back and forth between what is rational and what is emotional.Foreign emotions ride the wave of overwhelming intensity, crashing into reasoning before the mind can comprehend what is happening. Thoughts are left swirling in madness as the heart shutters like it’s surrounded by blowing snowin the middle ofContinue reading “Divided Mind”

Important Note

Unexpected events can often spark the flight or fight response. Overwhelming thoughts that presentthe worst to the extremecome barging into your head when the universetakes you down a road withoutgiving you a heads up before the decision is made.In those moments, the only thing you can control is how you react to those shifts.I’ve always been someoneContinue reading “Important Note”