This week, I shared more about my anxiety on social media than I ever have. See, my friend Gemma was talking about her daughters. As I offered to share my advice for them privately, I paused. 

“Why are you scared to tell anyone you have anxiety?,” I thought. 

I mean, I work for myself. I don’t have anyone to prove anything to. Thankfully, I have my stuff under control after the last 20 years of anxious misery. What was I so scared of anyway? What would be the consequence of admitting that I survive more than I thrive? 

The answer is nothing… except more anxiety. That’s how my brain works. I share, and then I panic. What will people think? Will they judge me? Did a recruiter not click buy on a writing training because they know I have a propensity to panic? The spin goes on. 

That spin was even worse when I worked at a traditional company because the consequences of admitting my anxiety were real. 

“What’s wrong with you?” I heard it a million times, and it just reinforced that having anxiety was wrong. That I couldn’t be human at work. That I could not thrive being me. 

I know I’m not the only one, so that’s why I shared my story. The reactions from people like you were honest, and the private messages were heartbreaking. I’m not the only person struggling. 

I imagine a lot of you are nodding right now. So that’s why all my posts this week are about mental health. Because we struggle silently and we shouldn’t have to. You are so much braver than you think and I hope you know I’m here to help. I mean that. 

Have a great weekend. You got this. 

Katrina