Sometimes, life puts us to the test to see if we are capable enough to help ourselves or not. Sometimes, we have to go through a phase that seems more difficult than you could ever imagine it to be, but at the same time, it is rewarding and something that strengthens your belief that ‘I can do it!’. Today, I am going to talk about something that I always heard people facing but never expected myself to face it. Yes, today I am talking about anxiety (as if the title wasn’t enough!) and how I dealt with it.

Those who haven’t faced anxiety might think it isn’t even an issue, it might seem to them as an ephemeral thing. When anxiety struck me, it took me a couple of months to understand what it actually is and why am I not feeling myself. I never discussed it with many but a few of whom I shared it with thought I was overthinking. See, that’s why is it necessary to spread awareness about mental health!

Today, I’ll tell you my story. I am not a therapist or counselor, I am a sufferer myself who have just partially overcome it. I hope I can help some of you and/or you can help someone who needs help. Exactly a year ago when I thought I am at my creative best, anxiety struck me. The first thing to get affected by it was my blog, my writing, and my creativity. At first, I thought it’s another creative block but soon I was proved wrong. This creative block lasted 10 months and it wasn’t a creative block alone. Even the thought of opening my blog and of writing scared me, made me nervous. Needless to say, I was not at all okay with it. Imagine you love doing something and all of a sudden it becomes a burden for you. You cannot be cool with it, can you? The only thing that kept me going is my boyfriend’s support (at this point, only he was aware of my situation). He made me try and I tried. I forced myself to write a few pending reviews and occasionally one or two Instagram posts and that’s it.

In between all these, I took a couple of days off and went for a vacation thinking it will make everything normal again. Although I enjoyed quite a bit but, when I returned home everything was the same. I used to cry sitting in front of the computer. I lost all my inspiration. The girl who was always occupied in her blog suddenly wanted to run away from everything. This went to the extent where I almost deleted my blog but thank god I didn’t.

In the middle of all these, I finally started my YouTube Channel. It was long due and I thought to start my own channel (Which had been my dream) at this point in time might help me feel myself again. Talking about this, let me tell you doing new things makes me the happiest! The intro video went really well, people really appreciated me a lot and I was encouraged by so many people. Then I shot my second video and it came out to be terrible! Clearly, it did not make an appearance to the Tube. I cried the entire day. I was already broken and this broke me even more. I would like to thank four people from the bottom of my heart and they are my boyfriend Amit, my sister Sohini, Kinkinee (a fellow blogger, my best friend and soul sister) and Kirti (a fellow blogger and an amazing friend). These people help me stand up when I was determined to leave YouTube forever. I cannot express how grateful I am to them. I would have never summoned up the courage to give it a go once again. Now, I love my YouTube channel as much as I love my blog. I cannot imagine my life without them!

Slowly, very slowly, I started feeling better. It wasn’t an overnight thing. Each day felt like a year to me. I never thought I could make it but, I did. I can’t say I’m 100% cured but I have recovered a lot and am still in the process of recovering fully. I’m going to share some of the things that made this happen.

• Talk to someone about it even if you don’t want to.
• Be with people. Loneliness is your biggest enemy. Spend time with the people you love and who love you back.
• Eliminate people who are spreading negativity around you.
• Take a break from work and engage in the activities you haven’t done in a while.
• Travel.
• Go out more often. Being in the same place will make you more conscious of the situation that you actually need to avoid.
• Read real-life stories of people who have suffered anxiety issues.

These are the primary steps you need to try but, if the problem persists, seek a therapist without wasting time. It’s important.

As I said, I have recovered 99%. I am only scared of getting back to that same spot. For me, it wasn’t as bad as some stories I had heard. I did not need any medical or therapeutical help. I am loving m job again. I have started planning contents for the next couple of months and I am feeling so proud of myself. One thing I must tell you all. I did not write this post to gain any kind of sympathy from anyone. Sharing this with you feels really good and comforting. It somehow releases all my stress. Plus, you guys have become a very important part of my life- my virtual family. The sole reason to write my experience down is to help anyone who is in need of that. I hope this post serves the purpose.

With this post, I am starting a new series on my blog called Pep Talk. Let me know how you like the idea and which topics you want me to cover next. There are many new things coming soon on this blog. I am sure you’re going to like it.

Do share your thoughts with me.

That was it for today’s post. I hope you found this post helpful. Make sure to share it with your family and friends if you did. Pour in your thoughts in the comments. Your comments encourage me a lot! Do subscribe to our Newsletter so that you get notified whenever there is a new post on the blog. Will talk to you in my next post. Till then, be safe & keep smiling! Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for regular updates and also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!