FINALLY, while standing in the kitchen cooking an early, I practiced A.S.K. and Acknowledged my Feelings, which were not just about the show but several stresses going on in my life.

Procrastinating can be a sign of high functioning anxiety disorder. When we start feeling anxious about something that we have to do, we tend to put it off. The more anxious you feel, the more you procrastinate.

One of the biggest myths about anxiety is that it is irrational, and we shouldn’t give it any energy. Those of us with High Functioning Anxiety have swallowed this myth hook line and sinker.

We don’t need to do something grand or magnificent to help people feel seen and appreciated. Do something little, something caring, something unexpected. Just do something.

People with High Functioning Anxiety continue to pressure themselves to do better, be better, and improve. When life gets out of control, we double down on hustling. We amp up our need to be in control by controlling our behavior and maybe even those around us.

As high achievers, our work seems to be all gas and no brakes. If you feel like you’re stuck in a constant state of “yes” at work and feeling like you’re drowning and can’t stop, you’re also probably feeling the weight of anxiety at work or about work during your off-hours.

What do you do when you are DONE and yet there is no end in sight? How do you keep going when all your normal coping skills aren't working?

If you’re known to be the hustler, the people pleaser, the perfectionist, the do-er, you might be struggling with high functioning anxiety (HFA).

Asking for help is hard. It is way more challenging than just speaking up because it brings out our Monger who spreads other lies: You SHOULD be able to do everything. You would be a better person if you could do everything. THEY won't be able to do it as well as you.

It isn’t that we don’t value rest; it’s that when we take a rest, our Monger goes crazy. My Monger can be so loud you would think I was committing a felony by lying in bed mid-afternoon reading a book.

Anxiety is high for everyone, and for those of us who seek anxiety relief through rule-following, it can be extra challenging. Because right now, nobody knows the right way. Nobody knows the rules. 

Remember, you are not doing this wrong. There is no right way, and if you are relying on old coping skills, that is okay.

What is not okay? Telling yourself, you are doing it wrong or that you should be feeling differently. This is triage, not treatment, people. Be kind. Be loyal to yourself and those you love.

We do it all the time — we look to others to give us what we aren't giving ourselves. We want others to appreciate us, but we don't appreciate ourselves.

Anxiety is a state of being. A state of frenzy, heart pains, stomach disorders, and panic attacks. At the root of anxiety are feelings. Scary, raw, vulnerable feelings that most of us don't want to (or don't know how to) feel.

Today I want to talk about the BFF, the voice that is often misunderstood. Clients often tell me they understand the Monger and the Biggest Fan, but they aren’t sure if they have a BFF voice. If you have a Monger, you have a BFF.

Anger is one of the most misunderstood emotions. We are taught that 'good girls' don't have anger, and in response to that teaching, we tend to have two reactions to anger. Stuff it or take it out on someone else.

Whenever we start noticing our frustration at others building, the first place is to start with ourselves. We make a gigantic story that someone is disappointed in us when in reality we are disappointed in ourselves.

This lament is a frequent one of my clients; maybe you can relate. There is a lot you want/should/need to accomplish in your life, but at the end of the day, you just feel lazy and stuck in a rut. So what do you do?