Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m 29, and I love my job. I thrive on deadlines, I enjoy the challenge, and I take pride in doing things perfectly. But I’ve learned the hard way that perfectionism isn’t good for anxiety.
What does your anxiety look like?
For years, I pushed myself non-stop. I skipped meals, lost sleep, and drowned myself in Red Bulls, thinking I’d rest “when the project was done.” But the work never stopped, and the pressure kept growing. And projects never end either.
Then one day, in a meeting, my body just… broke. My heart pounded like I had run up ten flights of stairs and I could hear the thumping sound in my head. My hands tingled, my chest felt tight, and the room spun. I thought I was having a heart attack, but it was a panic attack.
These bouts started happening more frequently. They became so severe that I could not breathe. That’s when I decided that I couldn’t keep living like this, in this constant state of panic. It was time for change.
How do you manage anxiety?
Like I said before, I had to make changes. First, I started forcing myself to take small breaks during the day. I call them micro me time. I reduced my caffeine intake. I exercise, not for fitness, but it really helps with my stress. I also remind myself daily that done is better than perfect.
I started talking to a psychologist and a life coach. Talking about my anxiety made me realise that I don’t have to do everything to be successful. My worth is not tied to how productive I am.
Any last thoughts?
If you’re a high-achiever dealing with anxiety, please listen to your body. It will force you to stop if you don’t slow down yourself. Panic attacks are terrifying, but they’re also wake-up calls. Take care of yourself before your body makes you do it because the world won’t end if you take a break.