I’m Good Because I Changed My Way of Thinking

By Anastasia

I am good now but I haven’t always been. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for several years. I was placed on medication but I hated the way it made me feel. Although I wasn’t having as many bad “lows”, I also wasn’t having my great “highs”. I felt kind of dull to the world and I wasn’t my passionate self. In addition, the medication that I was placed on also gave me some adverse side effects. If I wasn’t able to take my medication first thing in the morning I would get shockwave type headaches that were miserable. I didn’t know how much longer I could go on feeling the way I was. I then discovered the power of positive thinking. I didn’t think much of it at first but it has drastically changed my life. It is unbelievable how powerful the human brain really is when you learn how to use more of it.

I learned how to change the way I was thinking. It took a lot of practice but I am so much better for it. Although I continue to practice it because there’s no way to ever really master this technique, I continue to improve the more I use it. All I do is try to recognize when I am feeling down and try to think about possible triggers of that feeling. As soon as I can recognize that I am starting to get anxiety, I start to think about positive things. I count my blessings and if it is a specific situation that is causing me the anxiety, I try and look at it in a different viewpoint. For example, if someone is being a very rude and dangerous driver, instead of getting upset I try and think about what that driver might possibly be going through. You can never judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes. I try and give people the benefit of the doubt and it has helped me tremendously. I have even been able to wean myself off of my medication and haven’t taken any for years. I also try to control my breathing when I start to get anxious and I am happy to say that I have not had a bad panic attack or break down in years as well.

It is a lot easier said than done but with practice, thinking positively can help everyone be good. As of right now my friend is struggling with some of the same issues that I have struggled with. I have tried talking about my experience but my advice is brushed off because this person does not feel that changing the way you think can really change the way you feel. I hope my message will eventually get through and help them. Until then, I hope this message also helps anyone reading it because even if you do not struggle with anxiety, it can help everyone feel better. I am now good and hope that everyone else can be good too!

-Anastasia