Overcoming Anxiety to Live my Best Life

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If you follow me on Instagram, you know I went to Toronto this weekend.  It was a whirlwind trip that lasted about 26 hours and I’m still processing all of it.

Most of you are probably wondering why this is a big deal.  You probably travel all the time and don’t fear it but love it.  You drive and fly and stay in hotels and eat at restaurants three meals a day for days on end.  You have fun, let loose, and live your best life.

I don’t do that.  I should say, I didn’t.  Travelling isn’t my thing.  It’s inconvenient and unpredictable and for me stress inducing.  So I avoided it.  Literally a little over a week ago, I started thinking about going to Toronto for a concert.  Then I decided I definitely wanted to go, and I didn’t back down.  I didn’t chicken out.  I didn’t decide to stay home, take the easy way out as usual.

Though it wasn’t perfect, didn’t go entirely smoothly, it was awesome.  I showed myself I could do it.  I can travel.  Without freaking out or having panic attacks.  I will probably do it again.  Not today or tomorrow or even this month or perhaps the rest of this year, but I will, and that’s something I never thought I would say after not taking a vacation (okay, so it wasn’t really a “vacation” but a brief escape) for about twenty years.

It helped that vitaminwater was on my side, not just during the trip, but most importantly before it.  When I do super nerve-wracking things, I freak out the day before.  I pretty much totally lose it, doubting everything, prepared to cancel all plans.  There are tears and it’s really bad.  Once I’m in the car, committed, I typically regain some semblance of calm, but crossing an international border driving in Toronto traffic totally put me to the test.

 

I picked up my favorite flavors of vitaminwater at Target: zero squeezed lemonade and zero xxx acai blueberry pomegranate.  It was so convenient because I was also able to pick up all the essentials I needed for the trip like tiny toothpaste, mouthwash, and hairspray.

vitaminwater helped put me at ease.  First, I had fun participating in the Label Me a Winner contest.  Despite the mile long to-do list I had to tackle, taking a few minutes to do something fun that allowed a temporary escape from my fears and doubts, was the best thing for me.  It’s a fun and simple process with a chance to win some awesome prizes and you should totally check it out!  The message I put on my bottle reminded me that I am a pretty fierce woman and can do anything I set my mind to.

Then it was time to get down to business.  I had to work on some edits for my latest novel.  The first pass is always rough and Mom’s notes have been extensive and detailed.  But I love working on them because I know it means I’m one step closer to my goals.  The vitaminwater motto of more flavor, less excuses is a great catalyst in choosing to work on my writing instead of surf the web.  Having it in the back of my mind while fighting for my dreams and planning this trip helped me grab on to my best life and refuse to let go.

I had to squeeze in a workout after writing.  That’s the best way to get my endorphins flowing and my favorite time to have the great taste of vitaminwater to keep my hydrated and fueled with vitamins and electrolytes.  I showed that elliptical and my anxiety who was boss with a hard workout.

Finally it was time to pack.  I had to decide what to wear, and as usual it was not an easy decision, but one I forced myself to make the night before since I knew the day of my travels would be completely and totally insane.  I think I made the right choices.  Do you agree?

And the trip was insane, but in the best way.  I didn’t chicken out!  I went to Toronto!  I stayed in a hotel.  Ate in cool restaurants.  Saw an awesome concert.  I traveled and showed my anxiety who is boss.  I lived my best life and loved drinking vitaminwater along the way.  I’m excited to see what other things lie ahead because there is no stopping me now!