That Under Your Skin Anxiety

Have you ever gone through something that left you feeling shaky but also oddly proud of yourself at the same time? That was me recently, and I decided to share the story on the podcast so you’d know you’re not the only one who feels that way. In today’s episode, I open up about a personal experience that hit me hard yet showed me how adaptable we can be when everything seems to wobble beneath our feet.

This episode dives into what it looks like to face an unexpected hurdle, the feelings we don’t always talk about, and how asking for help can make the biggest difference. I chat about fumbling through a tough moment, discovering a few hidden strengths, and learning why community support matters more than we realise. It’s all about moving forward, even if we aren’t entirely sure we’re ready to take the next step.

The Moment It All Changed

We’ve all had a day when something goes wrong and you think, “Why me?” That’s exactly how this started. One minute, I was cruising along and feeling good about life. The next, I’d hit a bit of a snag, and everything seemed to pile up at once.

Sometimes it’s a small thing that sets off a big chain reaction. For me, it was noticing my stress levels creeping up to a point where I felt like I was carrying everyone else’s baggage as well as my own. I realised I needed to pause. But who wants to admit that, right? We’re often so used to managing things on our own, we forget there’s a limit. Then, before we know it, we’ve reached the edge.

Why Sharing Matters

A big takeaway from my experience is that shame thrives in silence. If we don’t talk about what’s happening, we accidentally reinforce the idea that no one else goes through it. But the truth is, many people have similar moments of feeling off-balance or unsure.

“I felt like I’d lost my footing, but that’s exactly when we learn to stand the strongest.”

Too often, we hold back from opening up about our struggles because we fear we’re being dramatic or weak. Yet, the reality is that talking openly can ease the tension. It also invites others to say, “Me too,” which can help us feel less alone.

Turning Stress Into Insight

I soon realised there was something else hidden beneath the stress. In my rush to ‘handle it all,’ I’d forgotten to notice the small signs and signals my mind was sending. Anxiety was my brain’s way of hinting I needed rest. Fear was a nudge that I hadn’t prepared for certain challenges.

Once I recognised those hints, I saw a clearer pathway through the fog. Instead of pushing against the feelings, I tried acknowledging them and asking, “What can I learn here?” Doing that took some pressure off. It also created space to shift perspective and appreciate that we can learn as we go, especially when we’re kind to ourselves.

Here are a few key insights I discovered:

• Feeling overwhelmed can be a clue that you need to step back.
• Honesty with yourself unlocks doors to growth.
• Others can help, but they won’t know how if you never share your struggles.

Strategies That Helped Me

Sometimes the simplest strategies are the most powerful. I took a few steps that really helped me navigate my way through:

1. Connected with people I trust: I reached out to a good friend and told them exactly what I was dealing with. They didn’t have all the answers, but just having someone listen was a huge relief.
2. Went for a walk: It sounds almost too easy, but moving my body helped me clear my head. I gave myself permission to unplug for a moment by turning off notifications.
3. Jotted down my thoughts: Writing let me slow down and see the patterns in my worries. Sometimes you spot solutions in your own words that you’d miss otherwise.
4. Measured my choices: I asked myself, “Is this really urgent?” This quick question helped me prioritise. It gave me permission to say no to a few things that weren’t critical.

Doing these small things didn’t fix everything overnight, but they kept me from feeling stuck. Each little action got me one step closer to feeling more anchored and less alone.

Staying Open to Support

It’s not easy to drop our guard. Admitting we’re having a tough time feels risky. But once we let others in, we discover how kind people can be. That’s what this episode is really about: reminding ourselves we’re not alone.

Whether it’s a friend, therapist, or online community, there’s often someone out there who understands and wants to help. If you ever hesitate, remember that we connect through our vulnerabilities and our stories. By talking about what we’re living through, we find ways to move forward with a bit of hope and a lot of compassion.

• Facing challenges often reveals strengths you never knew you had.
• Talking about your struggles can break shame’s hold.
• Simple strategies, like going for a walk, can clear mental clutter.
• Letting others help doesn’t mean you’re failing.

Want to hear the full story? Tune in to the episode. The podcast player’s right at the top of this page, waiting for you. You’re one click away from hearing every detail firsthand. Don’t miss it!