Explore how anxiety can show up in your life, work, and relationships
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Transatlantic GADfest
I asked Rachel Hawkins (of Our Rach Blogs): "Did you make up the term GADDer? I made up Gaddie. I don’t know what we’re actually called, either in the US or in the UK." She lives in Bristol, England.
Sensitivity -> Superpower: Step One
Anxiety is a hyper-sensitivity. If we can tune in to that sensitivity and use it as a strength, it becomes our super power. But in order to do it, we have to turn down the volume on our self-questioning, and turn it up on our self-understanding.
How Do You Feel When You're Told to "Just Be Yourself"?
A Medium post by David Heinemeier Hansson yesterday got me thinking about this question. Hansson (who goes by DHH) is best known for his creation of Ruby on Rails (web framework) and Basecamp (company and software tool), and I really respect his thinking. I loved his book Rework. He's often insightful on many topics.
Not this one, though.
Procrastinate, Precrastinate...Let's Call the Whole Thing Off.
I find myself chasing the euphoric feeling of progress, as described by Grant. At what cost? I believe that the cost has been creativity.
"I've had my share, I'll help you with the pain. You're not alone."
If you have outsider feelings (like I often do, for no good reason), you might feel like an outsider to the Bowie outpouring you see around you right now.
Finding Other Voices
One of the things that starting this project is doing for me is helping me find the other people who are writing about anxiety in a way I can relate to. It's so great that we have tools to be able to connect with each other. I found the work of Lisa Scott akaTheWorryGames.com through Twitter.
The Tyranny of Chill
I've been married for 8 years, but that doesn't mean that I'm not acutely aware of the struggles of my friends who are still swiping left and right. Dating with anxiety can be a particular form of hell. You need to be at your best to meet someone, but sometimes the thing that sets you off is the "getting to know you" situations.
Personal Prioritizing: We Suck At It
"The lightbulb over the back porch is out. I better fix it." Where others might be able to take note and continue their day, Gaddies end up in a whirlpool of what-if's and perceived negative outcomes. "If I don't change it, something might happen tonight and I might need a light." "If I don't get to it now, I might not get to it for another couple weeks." Changing the light bulb mounts the to-do list, becoming as important as getting to school on time, getting work done.