Now when it comes to my issues with anxiety it's been something I've faced all my life. Now I am not usually an anxious person but looking back even into my teens certainly things would make me uncomfortable. Growing up I always dreaded having to give a presentation at school. I would just fear all my class-mates staring at me. Even in high-school if it was presentation day I would simply take a sick day.
As you can see I've always dealt with being anxious in certain situations. I truly hated being the centre of attention then I decided to pursue a career in music which meant performing in front of people. I remember the first time and coming close to calling it off moments before me and my friend got on stage since I was facing some major anxiety but I got through it and enjoyed it. Completely odd right since I was so nervous in many other situations yet I chose to put myself in a situation where I'd be required to perform in front of a crowd.
Over-thinking leads to missed opportunities
After I graduated high-school and thanks to my dad who worked in advertising who at the time was working for Midas who ran ads during a popular car show airing on TSN I had the opportunity to spend the day with the entire crew. We went out on a shoot of the Mazda MPV and I thoroughly enjoyed getting a look behind the scenes and getting to know everybody. Their studio was located about an hour away in downtown Toronto. Now here where my nervousness and over thinking get the best of me and end up ruining what could have been a life-changing opportunity. Their video editor offered to teach me video editing but never took advantage of this amazing offer all due to me being nervous about needing to drive downtown on the highway. I could only imagine what might have happened and where I'd be today if I didn't pass up on what many might view as an opportunity of a lifetime. I guess I could say I have a few regrets.
In the examples listed above you could say in those situations it's normal to be a little anxious after all many of us would react this way when being pushed outside our comfort zones. To be honest the anxiety I dealt with in my teens was normal and didn't keep me from getting out of the house or stop me from socializing. Though at times it kept me from getting to know some amazing people and stopped me from taking advantage of some great opportunities. Now thankfully over the years I have made some good friends and absolutely enjoy getting together with friends and family and never get nervous as being surrounded by people I know seems to take all my worries away.
Anxiety related to aging with Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Now a few years back I faced major issues with anxiety related to me turning forty and feeling like I haven't accomplished anything I thought I would have by that point in my life. I really envisioned a different life than the one I have now. I thought I'd own a home but a work-related injury in my early thirties ended that dream and now with the cost of living it's completely out of reach. Anyways it was when I turned forty I started dealing with anxiety related to living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy. I started worrying about my heart and reading about the complications others were facing and began thinking I'd find myself in the same situation when in reality everyone's story even for those living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy.
Sadly one day my anxiety related to living with Muscular Dystrophy ended up with me in the emergency room thinking something was happening. Long story short they completed all the testing and it came back that nothing was wrong. So they sent me on my way with a referral to a local heart specialist who completed an echocardiogram and even had me wear a heart monitor for 48 hours. Again the results showed everything was perfectly fine. At that moment a lot of my anxiety disappeared as I was relieved to find out I was worrying for nothing.
Sure over the next few years I faced normal worries and concerns mainly around travelling as I simply don't like driving long distances. I especially don't enjoy driving down busy highways which is required whenever we visit Niagara Falls.
Other issues may revolve around winter and the risks of slipping and falling but that's things I consider normal to worry about. I do wish I could live carefree but living with Becker Muscular Dystrophy especially now I have to be extra careful in avoiding falls or putting myself in situations that put me at risk. I don't become obsessive about it but simply need to take everything into consideration when venturing out on any journey with accessibility always being a concern but again I consider these normal things to think about.
Now fast forward to today and recently some anxiety has returned. Unfortunately it actually ended up ruining most of 2023 for me so now I am on a mission to find a way to overcome my issues with anxiety. So you could say I am currently Fighting Towards Victory over my issues with anxiety as this is one victory I hope to be able to celebrate very soon.
If you have tips for overcoming anxiety please feel free to share them. Doing so could help me and others trying to find ways of one day celebrating victory over the anxiety they are currently facing.
