High-functioning Anxiety
Beyond the Surface: Anxiety and Achievement
High-Achieving Women and Anxiety
Anxiety is a universal human experience—it's our body's natural defense mechanism against danger. However, sometimes our mind and body go into overdrive, responding as if we're in danger even when we're not. Even if we rationally understand that the stress is from something like dirty dishes or a work deadline, our body might react as if we're facing a life-threatening situation.
High levels of anxiety can manifest in various symptoms, including a racing mind, perfectionism, constant rushing, people-pleasing, inability to say no, and difficulty relaxing. These symptoms can significantly impact our well-being, hindering our ability to enjoy life and maintain healthy relationships.
For high-achieving women, this anxiety is particularly challenging because their emotions are often dismissed. Even loved ones may assume everything is fine because it appears that way externally, while internally, they feel overwhelmed and desperate for escape. The fear that finding relaxation and ease might cause their life to crumble creates a feeling of being trapped.
The good news is that we can rewire our mind and body to respond more accurately to our environment. I can help you get to the root of your anxiety, move past surface-level issues, ask thought-provoking questions, and create a safe environment where you can be your authentic self and achieve lasting change.
“Growing up, I never knew a relaxed woman. Successful women? Yes.
Productive women? Plenty.
Anxious and afraid and apologetic women? Heaps of them.
But relaxed women? Women who aren’t afraid to take up space in the world? Women who prioritize rest and pleasure and play? Women who give themselves unconditional permission to relax–without guilt, without apology, without feeling like they need to earn it? I’m not sure I ever met a woman like that.
But I would like to become one. I would like us all to become one”