How I Learned to Stop Letting It Control Me
Anxiety can be like that uninvited guest who crashes the perfect party I planned in my life. You know, the one who eats all the canapés, spooks the other guests, and just won’t leave, no matter how many hints I drop. But here’s the thing—I’ve learned that I can’t just shove anxiety out the door. Instead, I’ve had to teach it some party manners. Here’s my sassy, real-deal journey on how I stopped letting anxiety control me and started leading with it, from childhood to the boardroom.
Acknowledging the Unwelcome Guest
Anxiety wasn’t just a fleeting visitor for me; it’s been a lifelong companion, tagging along since I was little. I learned early on that ignoring it didn’t make it go away—it just made it louder and more insistent. Acknowledging anxiety as a part of my life was weirdly relieving. It’s like when you finally call out that one noisy party crasher, and suddenly, everyone else feels more comfortable addressing the elephant in the room.
Turning Down the Volume
Once I acknowledged my anxiety, I started learning how to turn down its volume so it didn’t drown out everything else. I got into techniques like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and even some yoga. I also became super strict about my sleep—turns out, running on five hours and a gallon of coffee was not helping. Proper sleep became my nightly reboot, which surprisingly made it less likely for my brain to hit the panic button.
Finding the Funny
Finding humour in my anxiety-ridden situations became my secret weapon. When I’m about to speak in front of a big crowd and feel the nerves kick in, I picture everyone in their underwear. Yes, it’s old school, but hey, it cracks me up every time. Turning those anxious moments into comedy material not only lightens the mood but also puts distance between me and my anxiety.
Building a Support Squad
Over the years, I’ve built a squad that’s become my fortress. It includes understanding friends, a kick-ass mentor, and a therapist who’s as cool as a cucumber. They’re essential for when I need to talk down my anxiety or when I’m spiralling into the what-ifs.
Embracing the Lessons
My lifelong battle with anxiety has taught me invaluable lessons in resilience, empathy, and authenticity. I’ve turned what many see as a weakness into my superpower, using vulnerability to connect with my team in ways that ‘perfect’ never could.
Let’s Keep Dancing
If my journey resonates with you and you’re looking for more inspiration on how to lead with authenticity and courage, I highly recommend checking out my books and work. I am a powerhouse of leadership wisdom, offering the boldness and compassion we all need to embrace in our leadership roles. Whether you’re battling anxiety or just looking to step up your leadership game, my insights can provide the strategies and support to lead unapologetically.
Check out my website to learn more about my coaching services, workshops, and transformative leadership programs tailored to help you become the leader you were meant to be. Don’t just manage your anxiety—lead through it and transform it into your strength with my guidance.
Remember, you’re not alone on this dance floor. Let’s keep moving, keep shaking, and turn our anxieties into applause. Step into your leadership role with confidence—because if I can do it, so can you. Let’s lead, let’s laugh, and let’s lift each other up.
Ready to dance?
Sonia x
