How Anxiety can be a powerful teacher

For most of my life, struggling with anxiety felt like a daily battle. In fact I didn't even realize it wasn't normal to feel the way I did.Low self worth, incessant worries about the future, worse-case scenarios constantly running in my head. Fear of even going about my daily life.I would always hear "practice gratitude everyday" or "the secret to happiness is appreciating what you have." But with anxiety running the show, this felt nearly impossible.How could I love what was currently in my life, if I had a voice in my head telling me to work harder for happiness?If someone told me back then that my anxiety was there for a purpose, and could even teach me something, I would have thought they were crazy! How could this nagging thing holding back be of any use to me?Well being on the other side of anxiety and finally feeling freedom, I do indeed see its purpose.Without it I would not be where I am today, excited about my life and wake up everyday ready for the next adventure.Anxiety and fear are not pointless things we have to deal with, they do serve a purpose. They push us to a higher version of ourselves, to show us what is possible, to remind us why we are here.What you are anxious about is important to you.This seems like a strange concept at first, considering anxiety is rooted mainly in fear. But it is absolutely true that the thing you are anxious about is indeed important to you.Maybe you have anxiety about going into work everyday or preparing for a big work project.Or maybe you are worrying about that difficult conversation with your friend or romantic partner.Or you experience the universal worry that everyone is judging you.Well guess what? These things represent what matters most in your life! You want to do well at work, you want strong relationships and you care about how you are perceived.There is absolutely nothing wrong with these beliefs, it is a part of being human. It is time to look at your anxiety with an investigative lens. What really matters to you?Ok so if your worry is really meant to teach you something... then what?It is to be compassionate with yourself. It's normal to care about your work and loved ones. It is expected that everyone will think about how other people view them.The trick is to not let anxiety run the show. Don't spend hours ruminating over what you said during the meeting or the mood your partner was in that day.Instead, try turning inward and giving yourself some kindness. The faster you can forgive and forget the thing that most worries you, the closer you are to feeling free.So next time you feel really reactive to a situation, ask yourself, what is important to me and how can I forgive myself?Anxiety is leading you to a better outcome.Aside from showing us what truly matters, anxiety can also shed some light on where we can level up.And not in a "I'm not good enough" way, but where are you playing small? Where are you in your comfort zone?When I look back throughout my journey and think about the most challenging times in my life, it was always followed by a major breakthrough.See you have to be willing to confront the fears and go to battle, so to speak.Find out why you are feeling so miserable, there is bound to be a better way on the other side. Maybe it's time for a new job, or time to finally seek help, or just simply change your outlook on life.The moment I took the self-judgment out of what my anxiety was telling me, my entire life changed. I knew the risks I had to take, the relationships to end, and the dreams to follow.Without my anxiety, I would still be playing it safe. So for that, I am grateful. It is the most powerful teacher I have had in my life.