Can you imagine a stress free future for yourself? If not, think about some of the feelings that are preventing you from visualizing where you want to be in life. Anxiety is only a part of you now, not your end destination. As you progress further along your journey always remember that you have the ability to take control over your emotions and use your emotions as tools not barriers to health and happiness. Getting to your stress free future is going to test you on levels you never thought possible, but I know you have the determination to heal, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading these words.

Being open and honest about your commitment to overcoming your anxiety is important and worthy of admiration. We live in a world where seeing or hearing the unfiltered truth is extremely rare. Everyone you talk to today is holding back some trauma or fear that they would rather not discuss because their day may be impacted. For those of us who know what chronic anxiety and worry does to every moment of all of our days, simply embracing your situation and speaking the truth of your emotions can help move you towards the future you want. You may surprise yourself when you are open and honest about not only your anxiety but your commitment to heal. Your story may provide inspiration to a person in your life who has been struggling with an overly anxious mind and has been afraid to talk about their struggle.

If you are reading my blog you are already taking the steps to your future successful life. How you define that success is up to you, but just know that anxiety can only ever be your starting blocks for the sprint, not the entire race you want to run. My own level of success came when I realized that my purpose is to heal others and tell my story. Of course financial freedom, enjoying my country home and coaching high school tennis are all important factors of how I define success, however my peace comes from knowing that I have a bright future ahead. This optimism for the future was not always a part of me. I have had many dark periods in my life to the point where I didn’t want a future for myself, but because I was focused on building success while anxious my success came and my anxiety went away.

You may be anxious now and that is ok, but if you put in the work results will come. Think of taking time to calm your anxious mind as just as important as working out in the gym. We don’t get results day one, but if we have a goal of success we are working towards, effort over time will get us to the finish line. Even with an anxious mind, I would much rather cross that finish line and see my friends and family rather than temporary cash and prizes.

How you define your success is an individual choice. Your anxiety is trying to move you to a deeper understanding of yourself so you can reach your success, but you must reframe your daily struggles as a warrior on the path of healing not suffering. As you learn more about yourself and what your journey means you will be able to share your story with others who are struggling. Your story can be a success and doesn’t need to be measured in material goods. Houses, cars and luxury trips are all nice things to have, but if you achieve these material goods and are still anxious can you really say you are enjoying your success?

Anxiety is all about understanding relationships. Your relationship with yourself translates to your friends, family and romantic partners. Everyone external to your anxiety can help you towards the success you have defined for yourself, but you first must master your fears and worries. Once you achieve this mastery no matter where you find yourself in life whether you are rich or poor, popular or lonesome, you can take peace in the fact that you accomplished one of the hardest barriers to success that exists: mastering fear.