Don’t Panic

I was lying in bed one night, watching the ceiling fan spin. It was quiet, and I was alone with my thoughts. The fall semester of college was nearly over. I only had a few more tests to bear before I was free. I could enjoy myself, and planned on it, until a sudden realization.

The anxiety I thought was under control was actually spreading to other areas of my life. How did I miss it? What do I do now? More psychology tricks? Sure, but they take a lot of time. I can’t live like this. Would I ever be normal again? Yes… Maybe? Nope.

I suddenly felt like Houdini. I was bound by chains and hovering over a tank of water, but I didn’t know how to escape. I was trapped to repeat the cycle of anxiety my entire life.

At that moment, all my progress to tame my anxiety shattered. The anxiety become so intense, I jumped out of bed to run, but there was nowhere to go.

I tried to calm myself by playing my favorite game. I played for a few hours, but I was too anxious to enjoy it. I decided to go to the gym and work the anxiety off.

I lifted weights and then jogged on the treadmill, but the anxiety was still getting stronger. I felt as if I was enduring a plane crash, falling from a high cliff without a parachute or being circled by hungry sharks. I responded by running faster…as fast as I could.

I arrived at home by 2am; exhausted both physically and mentally. I showered off and went back to my thoughts and staring at the ceiling fan. Fortunately, the panic attack finally ended. With a heavy sigh, I went to sleep relieved that I was feeling better, but I was unaware of what awaited me when I awoke.

Don’t allow fears to keep you from your dreams!