Restlessness
In my first post I mentioned that one of the symptoms of anxiety – restlessness – deserves special attention, which is why this post will deal with it separately.
If I had to describe restlessness, it is a feeling of not being able to sit still, as if something is about to happen, but nothing ever happens so the feeling doesn’t pass for long periods of time. The problem with that is that it very often leads to an inability to show even small doses of patience. And the kind of “patience” I am talking about has nothing to do with how we might normally use the word (for example, to describe your child’s lack of patience when you are trying to have a conversation with someone you met on the street by accident). The kind of patience I’m talking about is the kind that allows your mind to focus on what you are doing in the present moment, without trying to move to the next thing. And that is the kind of patience I don’t have and struggle as a result.
For me, restlessness is the main reason why I am unable to apply some anxiety management techniques, such as meditation (mindfulness) and deep breathing exercises. They require too much focus and sitting still! It is also why life sometimes feels empty and unfullfilling. How can you ever do anything meaningful if every time you try to put your effort into doing it your mind drifts to the next thing? …
I have not yet discovered a cure for restlessness. I am convinced it is why I never feel completely relaxed these days. And it is causing the awful feeling that time slips away before I can summon the strength to do something meaningful.
Can you relate to that? Is restlessness the main symptom of anxiety that is slowing you down and impeding your personal development? Have you discovered a way to manage it?
Yours truly,
Rabbit Thoughts