The Backpack of Horrors

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How many times have we experienced a negative event and then carried it with us for quite some time? I know I have. 

I've been plagued by so many things because of my social anxiety and I kept referring back to them any time something similar was happening. I would have horrible flashbacks to those embarrassing moments, uncomfortable situations and negative moments. It wasn't until I was talking to my therapist that I realized I kept all those memories close at hand to use as an excuse as to why I couldn't or wouldn't do something. It was my own personal backpack of horrors. Every little thing tucked away just waiting to be plucked out to haunt me all over again. 

How many times have one of you refused to do something because of a previous bad experience? Well as it turns out you've got a backpack of horrors too. 
After coming to this realization I made the conscious decision to "take off" my backpack. 
I didn't want to live with the constant fear of trying new things simply because I've had one bad experience. It wasn't fair to me and it's a lot of added stress having to tote that backpack around. 

In one of my previous posts I explained that we should learn to see the good in the bad and to learn from our negative experiences. In order for me to do that I had to remove my backpack. I couldn't use those moments as excuses anymore. 
Obviously, I haven't forgotten the things that I've kept stowed away, I've just set them aside and learned not to dwell on them. 
If I do find myself reaching into my backpack I will stop myself and say, "Self, don't do this. It will only make things worse." Instead, I'll look at  what I've learned from that and put it to use in my current situation. 

Honestly, taking off my backpack was the best thing that I could have done. Having all of those with me just weighed me down. You know that feeling when you get something off your chest and you can feel the weight lifting off your shoulders? Well, that's how it felt when I took my backpack off. It was such a relief to not have to carry it around with me. Having it with me 24/7 wasn't benefiting me in any way. It was hindering my life, my work, and my progress. In order to move forward on my path there had to be a change. In order for me to progress I had to find the good. 

I promise you that keeping those things with you will not bring you any good. If you truly want to be able to cope with your anxiety and feel better and live your life more you have to do this. There are so many wonderful things out there in the world waiting for you to discover them. You can't do that while you hoard every bad experience you go through. 

Today's little bit of advice is to try to take off your backpack. Stop carrying all that negativity with you. Let yourself make new experiences and memories. If you do go through another scary moment or embarrassing moment or something negative, look at it and learn from it. Don't dwell on it. Then, set it down, walk away and don't look back. 

Good luck! 

With Love & Support
Anxiety Girl - xoxo 

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