One day, I had an epiphany. After years of research, countless natural "remedies", and dozens of unanswered questions, I’ve finally discovered the antidote to my anxiety: me.

Unfortunately, after a few bad life choices and a lot of stress, anxiety and Panic Attacks made a triumphant appearance into my life.

In these years, I became a victim of my own mind. I was misled by western medicine and trying to be manipulated into believing that my only hope for normality came in the form of a small white pill.

It wasn’t until recently that I realized that I am the solution to the problem that exists inside my head. I had to accept that I may never fully beat anxiety, but I can control its effect on my life.

In that moment, I was reminded of something: Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional and the only difference between the two is resistance.

I'm that girl that’ll smile in public and suffer in private. I’m the person who dedicates so much of myself to helping others that I sometimes neglect my needs. What I needed was to get back to was self-preservation.

I have a tendency to throw myself into work in order to keep my mind occupied, but the truth is, no matter how much I love what I do, it does not define who I am. My happiness should not be predicated on how quickly I respond to emails, or how many papers I get filed.

I had to question, if I put myself before I put others, does that mean I care less? 

I had to give myself permission to be human. I needed to acknowledge that I was not exempt from imperfection. No matter how much I want to give, if I have nothing left for myself, what am I really contributing?

After almost two years, hundreds of hours of learning how to breathe again (literally), limitless herbal remedies, and ditching some toxic people from my life, I was finally able to overcome my anxiety and Panic attacks, now it is not fully gone, there are some days where I have a "relapse" but I took back control of my life. 

For anyone dealing with anxiety, I want you to understand that you are the catalyst of your own healing. How you chose to deal with your circumstances will determine its outcome.

All you can do is your best. No one (including yourself) can authentically ask for anything more. Be OK with the worst case scenario, but be aware that the likelihood of it actually happening is probably slimmer than Angelina Jolie.

Every day provides an opportunity for you to be better than you were the day before. Take advantage of it. And remember that it takes practice.

Utilize the chance to discover your greater self. Don’t allow the shackles of anxiety to derail your progression. Believe that victory is possible!

If you don’t, who will? Be well.