Managing Anxiety with Willingness

Anxiety is a normal part of life that everyone experiences. It can show up in thoughts like "What if something goes wrong?", emotions like fear or worry, and physical sensations like a racing heart or sweaty palms. While it's natural to try and control or avoid anxiety, this often makes it worse in the long run.

Instead of fighting against anxiety, there's another approach called Willingness. Willingness means opening up to your experiences as they are, without trying to change or escape them. It's about making room for unpleasant thoughts and feelings, so you can live a meaningful life.

What is Willingness?

Willingness is the act of allowing your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations to be present, without trying to manipulate, avoid, or change them. It doesn't mean you like or approve of these experiences, but you're willing to make space for them in order to do what really matters to you. As the willingness creed says: "When you’re willing to experience what is, and to accept what cannot be changed, you are positioned to change what can be changed."

Why Practice Willingness?

• Reduces Struggle: Fighting against your experiences often makes them more intense.

• Increases Vitality: Avoiding pain can also mean avoiding meaningful aspects of life.

• Fosters Acceptance: Accepting what you cannot change positions you to change what you can.

The next time anxiety shows up, instead of pushing it away or trying to control it, choose willingness. Allow your anxiety to be present and notice how this shift helps you stay focused on what matters most to you. See what difference this approach makes in your life!

Stay tuned for more tips to come!

Jayne