The Concept
"Worrying feels like doing something, but it is actually a way of avoiding feeling."
It sounds strange, but anxiety can be a defense mechanism. We often use "worry" as a shield to protect us from feelings that seem even more dangerous—like grief, helplessness, or rage.
If I worry about the future, I don't have to feel the sadness of the present. If I obsess about being perfect, I don't have to feel the shame of being human. The anxiety keeps us busy, spinning in our heads, so we don't have to drop down into our hearts where the real pain lives.
The fortress of worry keeps you safe, but it also keeps you stuck.
1 Deep Reflection
The Hidden Emotion
Ask yourself: "If I stopped worrying right now, what feeling would rush in?" (Often it is sadness, anger, or a feeling of lack of control).
The Cost of Protection
What is this "fortress" costing you? What are you avoiding doing because you are too busy worrying?
The Turning Point
Moving from Insight to Action
1. The Drop-In
When you catch yourself looping in "what if" scenarios, physically drop your awareness into your body. Feel your feet. Feel your breath.
Say: "I am willing to feel the feeling underneath this worry."
2. The "As If" Action
Identify one small thing you are avoiding. Do it as if you were confident, even while your heart is pounding. The goal is not to stop the fear, but to show yourself that you can act while afraid.