My Old Friend, Anxiety

I usually try to show up in these blog posts as calm, cool, and collected. An “I’ve got this” kind of girl.

Packed calendar? I’ll teleport myself from one thing to the next. An avalanche of deadlines? Who needs sleep. Research that can’t be delegated? Call me a speed reader. A daughter navigating the college decision process, with admitted students days scattered across the country? Grab the overpriced airfare, let’s tour campuses, and yes… we’re buying the merch.

But then comes that familiar feeling. The itch. The racing heart. The sudden “why is it so hard to breathe in here?” moment.

Hello, anxiety.

As much as I try to be the woman described above, anxiety has a way of creeping in, and when it does, it’s deeply uncomfortable. If I’m being honest, my first instinct isn’t always the healthiest. Sometimes it looks like a freshly opened bottle of wine and an attempt to take the edge off. Which, more often than not, leads to a restless night, a foggy morning, and—ironically—more anxiety because I’m not at my best.

So lately, I’ve been trying—really trying—to approach it differently. A little more thoughtfully. A little more intentionally.

Here are three things I keep coming back to:

1) Anxiety isn’t always the enemy. At its core, anxiety is your body trying to help you. It’s the same response that gets you out of danger—or gets you on that 5:50 a.m. flight. It’s a signal that something matters. Instead of immediately labeling it as “bad,” I’m learning to pause and ask, what is this trying to tell me? Sometimes, it’s worth meeting that feeling with a little gratitude.

2) Take care of yourself like it’s part of the job—because it is. When you’re overwhelmed, it’s very easy to list all the reasons you don’t have time for a walk with Larry and Lola, a workout, a quiet hour, or even a full night of sleep. But as a business owner, showing up matters. Your clients aren’t looking for a frazzled, bleary-eyed, half-present version of you—and let’s be honest, we’re not fooling anyone when that’s what we bring. Taking time to recharge isn’t indulgent. It’s part of delivering good work.

3) Get it out of your head and onto paper. I’ve said it before, I’m a paper calendar person. Digital works too (um, just not for me). But there’s something about writing it all down, mapping it out, and seeing where everything fits that makes it manageable. It’s like leaving yourself a trail of breadcrumbs. Yes, it can feel like one more thing at the end of a long day. And yes, sometimes you’re doing it knowing you have a 5 a.m. flight the next morning for a college visit your daughter may or may not even be excited about (seriously… does she even like the color orange?). But if I can see it, I can do it—and I can do it well.

So if you’re out there feeling like there’s a truck parked on your chest, I see you.

You’ve got this.

Anxiety passes—if you give it the attention it deserves. Ignore it, and it tends to grow. Address it, and you’re investing in a steadier, clearer version of yourself on the other side.

And that version of you? She’s still very much the “I’ve got this” girl.