In times of crisis, my anxiety is my superpower
Hi there. I’m Lori, and I have high functioning anxiety.
I’m really good at sharing this with a friend, or even a colleague, face-to-face. Wearing my heart on my sleeve is my thing. I’ll be the first to say that anxiety stigma is BS. Yet, talking about it online is something I’m less inclined to do. I admire my friends who post their mental health challenges so proactively and bring light to our shared struggles. Occasionally I reply with an acknowledging comment. But now’s not the time to have anxiety about anxiety.
Those close to me have heard me say, “just because I have anxiety doesn’t mean I’m weak.” At times like these, when the world is combating an invisible killer, being anxious is the baseline for nearly everyone. One of my aforementioned admirable friends made a very good point in an inspiring Facebook post: For those who have anxiety disorders, it’s your time to shine. To summarize and expound upon his idea, Your brain is used to panic, and you have the tools to manage it. Many in the world are now panicking and don’t have these tools. So, let’s share our superpowers with others.
I’ve now found myself offering my anxiety-reducing tips to others who are expressing a need. Friends who always seem to have it together. (Psst: If you think I always have it together, I most certainly do not.) To others who have been squirreling away their therapist-provided toolbox of tricks, thinking they should keep it hush hush because of the stigma of weakness... Step out and show off those skills, you bad ass you!
In the interest of self-affirmation, (which is kind of the #1 thing therapists tell all of us anxiety-prone people to do), I’m going to share my specific superpower. (Cool?) I encourage you to remind yourself of yours, and share it with someone (or me!)
In times of crisis, my anxiety is my superpower. Yes, that’s the title of this blog. But here’s why. I’m a planner, a worrier, and a list-maker who has a constant mental list running in my head at all times. (For real, it’s a visual, plain-as-day list — with check boxes — sitting there in my mind — right now!) I have to work hard at any given moment to keep my nerves down because I’m always at the ready for that “thing” to happen. But when that “thing” happens…BOY AM I READY. And that’s when my superhero cape is on. I watch as others around me have their minds go blank in a panic (naturally!) There’s pacing, there’s confusion. Then there’s me, knowing the plan. Reminding people their role, the task, the priority. Pivoting. Channeling the right words to say to the right person to calm them down (often to thousands of people on a social channel.) My mind is suddenly the most clear it ever is.
I freaking LOVE Crisis Communications. I thrive. …I don’t love that we’re in a horrible, life-changing situation. But I love that I can be my best self and I can make an impact in the lives of others.
Did I mention I’m not perfect? Things are crazy as hell and going a mile a minute. There’s still stress. I’m exhausted. I snap at my team members. I’ve had a few good cries. I’m worried about my parents and grandparents. My husband and I are trying our best to not let our 4-year-old be the dictator of our house, and failing miserably. But I do have my ways to manage the stress. And, thank God, there’s also tele-therapy. So we can still have the help we need tying our superhero capes on, even in quarantine.
