Let me share a truth I’ve kept to myself for far too long. In the past, I was one of those people who viewed anxiety as an exaggeration. I thought individuals dealing with anxiety just needed to relax, convinced that they could easily control their feelings. However, after experiencing anxiety myself, I’ve come to a startling realization: I’m the one putting on a facade.
But it’s not my anxiety symptoms I’m pretending about; it’s everything else. When I’m surrounded by friends, I wear a smile while my heart races. I feign interest in conversations, nodding along as their words fade into the background, making me feel dizzy and nauseous. I’ve become a pro at fabricating excuses to avoid social gatherings or coffee dates, skillfully alternating between claims of busyness, appointments, and family commitments to keep my friends from realizing I’m at home, counting my breaths to calm the storm within.
At work or during hospital shifts, I often say I’m tired while, in reality, my anxiety is making me feel dizzy. I even pretend to be fatigued to dodge places that trigger past anxiety attacks, like that restaurant where a previous visit led to an embarrassing incident.
I used to think those with anxiety were faking their struggles; now I understand that most of us are just hiding the truth. We mask our anxiety with smiles and laughter to preserve our relationships and maintain a sense of normalcy. We fake it for your comfort, not ours.
With all the stigma surrounding anxiety, it seems we’ve convinced ourselves that pretending will ease our interactions and enhance our lives. Yet, the opposite is true. When I embrace honesty and openness about my anxiety, I feel a weight lifted and gain the freedom to be myself—no more pretense needed. I no longer fret about others discovering my anxiety; that’s simply too much for me to handle!
In a way, aren’t we all guilty of putting on a front? We conceal our vulnerabilities, pretending to be confident, knowledgeable, or amusing. Yet, isn’t it authenticity that people truly value? I believe we can foster growth in this aspect together. As a community, we can support one another with our strengths and weaknesses, moving away from pretense to build genuine connections.
So here’s my honest confession: I live with generalized anxiety, and I’ve been faking it. But today, I’m committing to being real. I invite you to join me in this journey of authenticity.
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Summary
Living with anxiety means often pretending to be okay in social situations, masking true feelings to maintain relationships. This article emphasizes the importance of authenticity and encourages embracing vulnerability to foster genuine connections.