My therapist once gave me an assignment: “Set a timer to worry.”
Back then I came to her paralyzed with anxiety, unable to do anything.
When anxiety hit, I was supposed to sit and do nothing but worry for an hour. I never tried it back then—homework isn’t my thing. Fast forward to now, my new therapist suggested the same thing but for 20 minutes.
This time, I gave it a shot. I put everything down—no books, no phone, no distractions—and just walked in circles, letting myself fully feel the anxiety. After two rounds of 20 minutes, I actually felt lighter.
It’s like reverse meditation. Sitting still doesn’t work for me, but pacing? That I can do.
Afterward, I listed my top three worries, thought about their root causes, and countered them with logic.
Slowly, I started to feel calm and motivated again. Sometimes, facing your anxiety head-on is the only way to move through it.
Thought I’d share in case it helps someone else.
