Anxiety is like a rocking chair 🪑

We've all heard the powerful analogy: anxiety is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, a constant motion, but ultimately, it gets you nowhere. For many of us, this rings painfully true. I remember days, weeks, even months, where I felt like I was perpetually in that rocking chair, expending so much energy yet feeling utterly stagnant. It's a frustrating, often debilitating experience, creating a kind of 'fear of rocking chairs' – not of the furniture itself, but of that feeling of being trapped in a cycle of worry, unable to progress. But here's the good news: you don't have to stay there. The key, as I've learned on my own mental health journey, lies in two simple yet profound actions: focusing on what you can control and taking small steps forward. This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a practical roadmap out of the rocking chair. First, let's talk about control. When anxiety takes hold, it often feels like everything is spiraling out of control. My mind would race, jumping from one 'what if' scenario to another, each bringing a fresh 'jolting' sensation of panic or dread. The breakthrough for me came when I started to consciously separate what was within my sphere of influence from what wasn't. I literally made lists in my journal: 'Things I Can Control' and 'Things I Cannot Control.' On the first list, I'd put things like my breathing, my immediate actions, what I choose to consume (media, food), my daily routine, and how I react to situations. The second list included things like other people's opinions, global events, past mistakes, or future uncertainties. This exercise was incredibly grounding because it showed me where to direct my energy instead of wasting it on the uncontrollable. Once I identified what I could control, the next step was to take those 'small steps forward.' For someone stuck in the rocking chair of anxiety, the idea of a 'big leap' can be terrifying and overwhelming. That's why small steps are so vital. They don't trigger the same level of resistance or fear. For me, a small step might be as simple as drinking a glass of water, taking a five-minute walk around the block, or practicing a few minutes of deep breathing. It wasn't about solving all my problems at once; it was about creating tiny victories that built momentum. Each small step, no matter how insignificant it seemed, chipped away at that feeling of being stuck. It countered the 'jolting' moments by giving me something tangible to focus on. It proved to myself that I could move, I could act, and I could make progress. This gradual accumulation of small actions helped to alleviate the underlying 'fear of rocking chairs' – the fear of being perpetually stuck. It showed me that even when anxiety felt overwhelming, I still possessed agency and the ability to steer my life in a positive direction. So, if you're feeling that rocking chair motion today, remember: acknowledge the feeling, identify what's in your control, and take one tiny step. You'll be surprised how quickly those small steps add up to real movement, helping you break free and move forward.