Anxiety In Motion

Randy sent me a bunch of anxiety gifs. I identified with them so much and wanted to share them with you.

This first one is perfect. Underneath all the layers of anxiety is a stomachache. I’ve had a stomachache since 1969. I wish I was kidding.

via GIPHY

I don’t cry when I’m depressed. I don’t feel like crying when I’m depressed. When I am anxious, however, I fight tears all day. I can’t let that first one fall because a flood might follow.

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This is true. I am. But it’s ok because I know we’re all broken in some ways. I am not alone.

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This one made me wince. This says it all.

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I couldn’t possibly describe work anxiety better than this image.

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I have this guy. I think mine looks different, but the message is the same.

Lot GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

I don’t think my hair looks this good when I’m staring at the ceiling at 2:00 am on a work night.

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Here’s to hoping we all find the peace we need.

Right now, it feels like peace has left the building for good, but I know that isn’t true. I know this will pass. I read that moving is high stress like getting married,  divorced, or having a baby.

I’ve done all of those things. More than once. I have to admit, if those are my choices, I’d pick moving, hands down. I mean, unless the marriage thing could be me and Randy renewing our vows in Vegas by an Elvis impersonator. Although, that would be a little stressful. Randy is a terrible traveler.

And now I’m wondering if it is reasonable to take any profit we make on the house and run away to Vegas until we run out of money.

We might make it to Memorial day.

36 Thoughts.

  1. 1, 6, and 7, with spikes of all the others.
    I have mostly stopped 3. mostly.
    but yeah, we’re all in this together.
    most of the time, that helps.
    XOXO

  2. Anxiety didn’t used to be a Thing. My grandmother would have a menthol cigarette when her “nerves” were shot. My mother would bite her lower lip. My dad would holler and pound whatever table was before him. None of these people knew to talk about it or get help for it or meditate or scream primally when the demon struck. I’m so glad we can talk about it now. Thank you for opening and keeping open a conversation about anxiety. It’s a scary world we live in and we have to keep talking and connecting or we’re lost.

  3. Moving does usually suck, but I would still rather move than get married. divorced, or have a baby. And I wouldn’t even be doing the hard part of having the baby.
    I have mostly taught my “you suck” guy to focus on other things besides me, allowing him to expand and enhance his colorful language. Republicans, for example. Or AT&T when the internet goes down…
    I used to have a stomach ache from anxiety, and my brother got an ulcer from it. We were great customers for Maalox tablets for years.

    • I drank Maaxox before bed every night when I was a kid. Now? I’m just kind of used to my stomach always hurting a little bit. I would love to NOT have a stomach ache, just to see what it feels like.

  4. Daaamn, Girl, you hit it! I don’t cry any more. I think there is something wrong with me. At times there is an elephant sitting on my chest. I was laid off in 2015 and received a great severance package. I was sitting in the airport in Albuquerque waiting on a connecting to Vegas. I was really tempted to just stay. Now I wish I had. I have a degree in accounting and experience in accounts payable. I could have found a job. I am miserable now. So I think moving could be an adventure. You will sell your house in 25 seconds and you will be homeless, the adventure begins. Besides the elephant, #1 is me, too.

  5. At first I misread that first sentence as Randy sent you a bunch of anxiety gifts, which he kind of did. He let you know you’re not alone, that other people do get it, and it may not always be in the middle of the night but your hair does often look great.

  6. Those gifs are amazingly on target. We are our own worst critics and it can be paralyzing and defeating. The fact that some people with this chronic anxiety, like yourself, have found success in SPITE of the inner demons and bad childhoods, speaks volumes about their talent, tenacity and life choices.
    I hope that you are proud of getting your house in order to sell it. That’s a feat in and of itself. You’re doing so much, Michelle, to find your voice and shine a light on your gifts. The anxiety may be trying to kick your ass, but you haven’t let it put you down for the count. I have no doubt that you and your family will find the perfect place to land.

  7. Fabulous anxiety-solving idea (because I’m a helpful helper) that’s totally impractical (because I’m me): Can YOU run off to Vegas and renew your vows, sans Randy The Terrible Traveler,* in front of the Elvis impersonator of your dreams, while Randy sells the house and handles the move?

    Actually, now that I see it all written out… There’s nothing at all unreasonable about this plan. You’re welcome.

    *I am an excellent traveler and willing to stand in if you really don’t feel right doing it alone.

  8. Oh, my – each one of these I can completely claim as my own. Thank you for sharing. Here’s my idea for your house-buying: Buy a real house to live in 11 months a year, and an RV to take on the road the other month. Or six months. Whatever. Road travel is fabulous and our country is amazing. And with an RV you never have to make reservations or sleep on questionable linens. It’s even better than an endless escape to Vegas because you’ll spend the rest of the year remembering your travels and planning more.

  9. i AM BRokEN. I am also brOKen. I dig that one, because I’m OK with being broken.
    I am not, however, broken by anxiety, so while I love the white black hole gif, it doesn’t “really” resonate with me. I only have Depression, so the tearing one is sometimes apt for me. The white black hole just looks really cool and fascinating.
    … perhaps, if I were at all suicidal, I would not fight the white black hole; rather I would allow it to just suck me on through to the whatever’s next. Or perhaps I feel that way precisely because I am NOT suicidal, but I welcome death (when in a Depressive state; not NOW).
    I am grateful to have had a relatively uneventful winter, and a fairly busy-with-fulfilling-work spring.

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