On high-anxiety days for me my mind has found some good content to increase the panic mode.

And on low anxiety days it's just kinda of like the pilot light is on the stove. Still on, just not much fuel.

I like your description of high vs. low anxiety days, Momma. It works for me.

As for why, letting the mystery be seems more efficient for me. Anxiety is a phenom of many sources and even more theories. Keeping the focus on plying therapy tools saves me allot of time and energy. ^It^ is what ^it^ is, whether understand ^it^, or knot. When I get to wondering why, I tempt my over-thinking psychosis. Girl, howdy, I can agonize the wonders of why.

Sometimes the butterfly of understanding lands on my shoulder after I have calmed myself far enough to be able to hear her. I can't hear much of anything under the influence of anxiety.

HI italianmomma4ever.
I like how you put that , with high and low days of Anxiety, comparing it to a pilot light on the stove, some days up high and some days on low flame.
I would say for me, why days are either high or low, depends on what i have in particular going on for me, for that day. Say a Dr appointment, going for a test or having to wait on long lines, my anxiety will be burning on a higher flame. Days i have nothing really planed and just home chillin or going to the gym, taking my walks, watching old classic movies, the flames will be low or much lower.
It's all lies with the mind on whether you have good and positive thoughts , or negative with fear and anticipating the worse, causes the flame to be high of low,
Great post and with always a valid question, your always on target and sticking to the topic!
Stooges.

IM, your description of anxiety using 'pilot light on the stove' for the low moments makes me think of fire.

Makes sense that warmth could flare up into a bonfire or wildfire in overthinking.

A stove can be turned on or off. If it boils over, you turn it down. If it is not warm enough, you turn it up.

That to me, is a low anxiety moment.

Good discussion!

Hi Arfie,
Thank you Arfie for liking my description. Some days I feel that way over other days.

Trying to figure out why is a mystery to me. But just keeping it under control on the days you most need it is something I also work on. It takes more time and effort. But having certain tools and different ways of coping with it really helps.

I love your butterfly effect. I need one to land on my shoulder too. So it too will calm me. Your so right about not hearing much when you have anxiety. It's hard enough to concentrate when your in that mode. Thank you very much for your comment. Italianmomma4ever

Hi Stooges,
Thanks for liking my description of anxiety too. Highs and lows are real.

I agree with you about what's going on in your day. If I have a day that I know is gonna be stressful, then my anxiety is higher then the days that I can just relax and not have too much planned.

It is all about your thinking. Positive thoughts are a must to keep the anxiety in check. Negative thoughts will definitely get your mind spinning out of control. Sometimes it's not easy. But keeping a good positive attitude does help.

Thank you also for liking my post. I appreciate that. Italianmomma4ever

Hi Mid,
I think describing anxiety as a fire is a good way of putting it. If your anxiety is high than that fire is blazing and if your anxiety is low than its a nice even calm and soothing flame.

For me I like to keep the flame burning, but not to hot.
Just comfortable and relaxing. Evenly balanced.

Thanks for your comment. And thank you for liking the discussion.

Italianmomma4ever

To the best of my knowledge, literal butterflies won't land on an anxious shoulder. I believe the metaphorical butterfly of understanding shares quality. The calming must come before the landing.

Serene acceptance precedes understanding.

Just believing. . . Proof irrelevant.

Lol. I know that. It was a nice thought of a real butterfly landing on my shoulder. Butterflies are suppose to be known for good luck. That is always good. And I think their beautiful. My mom is a BIG butterfly fan. She has butterfly things all around her house.

Arfie,
Nothing wrong with imagining right?

Stooges,
I like all of your suggestions to keep the flame low or even lower. Exercise and working out at the gym are great ways to dim that flame. Good for you. I too try to get a walk in and do some yoga. Thanks.

HI italianmomma4ever,
Thank you as always for your positive feedback, on my post/ responding back to yours and keeping the good energy moving forward and not just here whining, and complaining, like many. that is non productive. When you want something bad enough, you have to get of your dime and take actions and work on yourself, as you do to keep your Anxiety at Bay, as best as possible, each and every day and always look for resolutions.

Stooges

Italianmomma4ever,
Didn't know a butterfly was able to differ between an anxious shoulder or a calm one, didn't know they had that kind of power, The evolution of a butterfly has surely come a long way, if indeed they can do that LOL
Stooges

Hi Stooges,
Thank you for the positive comment. It is good to keep the positive energy flowing. Sometimes it's not always easy, but it sure helps. Keeping good energy and vibes is great to do. It's a good feeling. Yes I agree working on anxiety is a challenge and it's not easy, but it's something we all need to strive for. Taking baby steps to reach our goal everyday is a good thing to work on and achieve. I get it. Thank you again for the great comment. I need to remember and work on what you said. Thanks. Italianmomma4ever

Hi Stooges,
Lol. That's alittle something that me and Arfie have going on. Lol. No butterflies can't do that, but it's a nice thought. Hey butterflies are good luck. Who knows maybe it will bring me luck. Can a butterfly pick the lottery numbers? Lol. Just kidding. It's all good. You got a sense of humor I see. Nothing wrong with that. Laughter is a great way to relieve stress and anxiety. Thanks for your comment. Italianmomma4ever