Overcoming Anxiety and Perfectionism
Racing thoughts: A mind that never stops spinning…
Literally… never.
Sometimes it’s “just” thoughts. Other times, it’s physical sensations, too: Your heart beats really fast, your breathing gets shallow, negative energy circulates in your body, you get lightheaded, and you feel you want to jump out of your skin.
Does it wake you in the middle of the night?
I know that once it gets going, there’s no chance you’ll get back to sleep.
Do the worries and what-ifs seem relentless?
I imagine you just want to feel at peace and relax. But it’s like your mind is out to get you. It’s like an overeager guard dog, trying to protect you from everything. Yet your life shrinks in the process.
Do you feel scared and trapped?
Do you question everything you do, say, or feel? It is exhausting, but you can’t seem to get off the merry-go-round.
An endless list of worries: “Why can’t I just be normal??”
I hate my job and want to quit. But what if I never find another job? What if I only got this one out of sheer luck and people find out that I am an imposter?
So many things could go wrong. I could end up hating the new job. I could get fired. I probably am incompetent. I won’t know anything at first. Ugh, the whole thing is just too overwhelming. What makes me think I can succeed? It is probably easier to just stay put.
I finally went on a date. He seemed so nice, and we had a great conversation… except I said the stupidest things. Why am I like this? He was just being polite and will definitely ghost me. Who would want to date me, let alone marry me? I am ugly, overweight, and definitely not as smart as I should be. Why do I do this to myself?
I should have just stayed home on the couch watching my favorite movie eating Ben and Jerry’s. Romance always works out in movies, but never in my life.
I feel like I am always drowning. My life is a never-ending list of chores, activities, and responsibilities. I try so damn hard every single day, but I get nowhere.
After taking care of my kids, my job, the house, cooking, homeschooling, family time, and errands, my only question is when I get to go to bed and pass out.
I had so many dreams and hopes for myself, but I feel like I am failing at everything I do.
How do I have it all: marriage, kids, career, health, staying in shape, etc.? The harder I push, the more lost and disappointed I feel. Do I just need to accept my life as it is and give up trying?
Living with anxiety is the reality for most of the population.
No, really… that’s a fact. Our brains are wired to be negative, and we are up against impossible standards and expectations in life.
Often we try to control the things we can’t, and we don’t recognize the power we have with choosing our attitudes, responses, and experiences.
Just because something seems scary or new doesn’t mean you can’t handle it. It doesn’t mean you give up on yourself, your dreams, or your true potential.
You deserve a life where you feel in control – a life full of joy and fulfillment – a life where you know how strong you are and trust that you will get through any difficulty, pain, or loss that comes your way.
Let’s work together and change your anxious, perfectionistic mindset.
We’ll identify the sources and triggers for your anxiety.
Often we are not even aware of what makes us feel on edge. We will use CBT techniques to track down the sources of your anxiety. This helps us identify and challenge the beliefs that keep us stuck.
You’ll learn new and better coping skills.
Once we know what you are struggling with and why, you will learn various tools to help you manage your anxiety better and choose more effective responses to your triggers. This includes understanding how your mind works and learning to be more in control of your emotional experiences by utilizing helpful elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
You’ll cultivate a stronger belief in yourself and your ability to succeed.
That starts by exploring why you are selling yourself short. We all have self-limiting beliefs that were ingrained a long time ago. To stop self-sabotaging, we need to shine a light on what has held us back from achieving our goals. We will identify your true values in life and align your actions with those values. Having a path forward makes it easier to know what to do and how to respond to what life throws at us.
You’ll be able to stop people-pleasing and prioritize your own needs and happiness.
Identifying your values and goals will make it clear where you need to make changes to find fulfillment and satisfaction in life. This often includes prioritizing your own needs above other people’s expectations and incorporating effective self-care and time for meaningful activities and rest.
We will establish healthy, sustainable habits and change your internal dialogue to be more supportive and compassionate.
You CAN have it all!
But you need to learn how to be your own best friend. That means committing to changing the habits and priorities that don’t serve you well. When you learn to trust yourself and stop self-sabotaging, you can make anything happen in life.
Let me show you how to do just that. You are worth it, so let’s do this!
During your free 20-minute consultation, you’ll get a feel for what therapy with me is like, and we’ll talk about the life changes you’d like to make. I will answer any of your questions, too.
Call (914) 888-6413 or email petra@abundancecounselingcenter.com today and let’s schedule that consultation. What do you have to lose?!