ANXIETY is a huge part of our lives and how we deal with it can mean the difference between success or…

By Shivani Mathur

Anxiety is a phenomenon that affects us all in some degree, shape or form. For some, it’s a momentary reflex both caused by, and a consequence of – fear. It’s described by many to be a feeling of utmost suffocation, the epitome of nerves, and often accompanied by accelerated heart rate, nausea, and overall discomfort. For many, anxiety is an illness that plagues them so deeply, it manifests itself in their everyday life. It becomes an embodiment of a large chunk of their intrapersonal challenges and hinders them from attaining their full potential in both their micro and macro endeavors. For centuries, decades, and years,Anxiety and Mental Illness have been almost taboo subjects.More often than not, it would make you the subject of petty whispers to so much as acknowledge and validate these issues, let alone proclaim that you possess any form of anxiety disorder or really any mental illness. Albeit not a whole lot has changed on that front, there have emerged within corners of society, schools, workplaces, families, large groups of people who have started to educate themselves, and started to seem anxiety and mental illness to be equivalent to any physical ailment of illness. A lot of this is accredited to the boon that is the internet culture: while there is a plethora of nastiness that exists and gains outreach via the web, so do people’s stories and experiences via blogs, podcasts, and social media, in utmost frequency and detail. This, as well as other art and media outlets (socially conscious films, television shows, articles, books, and music) on the issue being green lit, at least helps the matter to be discussed on dinner tables, offices, lunchrooms, and classrooms even if 8/10 times it’s millennials that bring up these ‘difficult’ conversations. It won’t be a millennial this time however, giving an insightful talk on the subject in the first Creative Mornings of 2018.

https://creativemornings.com/talks/jessica-pratt-and-wesley-newfarmer-on-embracing-anxiety