ERL - Do you have a doctor (psychiatrist) or a therapist that is working with you on this anxiety? I would say if you are in therapy and anxiety is one of the central themes you might be better served with a full schedule. The anxiety and panic is not debilitating so you are dealing with panic as it comes. Have you ever had a panic attack before? I have had several... my last I had to be sedated. I think you are dealing with anxiety but a therapist will be able to teach you other techniques of handling the panic.

Get with a good therapist if you don't already one. They will show you tools that will help you live with the anxiety.

Hello ERL. Welcome to DS.

In my own anxiety management, I am forever seeking a balance between taking on so much that I am continually stressed out and taking on so little that I have time to over-think everything. It be a tricky balance and nobody else seems to have the inside data to know where the ideal balance lives.

Achieving that balance is an inside job. Nobody can do it for me, but I sure feel allot more confident of my balance when I am able to run the imbalances through my peer support network. The very network you just posted on.

Listening. . . What's in your balance?

I learned long ago to not take on more than I can handle. In high school I participated in only a couple of activities but it did help to give 100% to whatever I was doing. I think hobbies do help manage anxiety but so does self care such.
Do you see a therapist at all? I would encourage you to do so as they are better equipped to answer your questions. I don’t know you so I can’t say with any amount of certainty what you can handle and when you need to bow back

Hi E.R.L.,

It is good to be productive. Filling all of your time with activities that require obligations such as deadlines and times can easily add to the stress.

I too have anxiety, and I love being busy. Expectations are always high and I take on too much. The important thing is to recognize it and when you do, decide what is important. It is helpful to speak to a professional when indecisive. I have built the habit of giving myself at least 3-10 minutes each day to meditate. In addition to therapy, this is my "me" time when I can stop and just unwind, even if for a short while. And as for activities, I do some things that I can do in my own time without deadlines to avoid the guilt of not fulfilling the obligation, such as painting.

Stopping every now and then helps you gain some perspective and clarity and can help you find the answers you need.

Finding some balance is a constant work in progress. Best of luck, you will find it!

I like to distract myself. Don't do so much that it causes stress but do enough that you feel a sense of accomplishment when you get thru a project. Then have another goal. I find this helps me.

Before you make any decisions, write out the schedule you have for each day, and how much time you spend doing the activity, and what you get out of the activity.

One of the things with anxiety is when you jumble everything together in a single paragraph, thus overloading everything because there's no space to "relax" , "unwind", "pause", and just be in the moment.

Best wishes as you find your way through all this.

I think it is good to keep busy and challenge yourself--but always make sure that is on your terms. Do not live to fulfill other people's expectations. DO WHAT YOU LOVE. DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. Perfection is a stupid goal--no one, anywhere can attain it--and you will just burn yourself out trying to become perfect--for everyone else. Don't run away from challenges if they scare you--if you really want to do them. If you are being stressed and the activity brings you no joy--then do not keep it in your life anymore. For instance--I am basically an introvert--but I do like to hang out with friends--so sometimes those situations can seem stressful...but I know I will be happy in the end after I've gone and seen them. On the other hand there are social engagements that make me nauseous to think about...those I say no to...because they will cause me more stress than enjoyment.

I have battled anxiety for 40 years and only very recently been freed of it! And you can be free... One way I learned to cope was through not taking on too much. Have a regular schedule and stay busy, but not so busy that you fell overwhelmed because that is when you body will go into fight mode... If people seem to be expecting too much, try to talk to them. Trying to please others is what we often try to do, but it's not what we should do. You have to take care of you first... listen to your body both physically and emotionally. Step back when you have to and don't feel bad about it. It is the way to take care of you well. I also agree that finding someone to talk with, a counselor or an adult you trust, could help you sort through the feelings and figure out what your triggers are. Believe in yourself.... you are amazing!!! HUGS!