The Silent Battle: How Anxiety Shapes Your Everyday Choices

In partnership with

All the Relaxation, None of the Consequences

Whether it’s a new year’s resolution or you’re tired of waking up feeling less than 100% after your nightly relaxation routine, CBDistillery has the answer.

Our carefully distilled Enhanced Relief gummies offer body-melting relaxation thanks to 5mg of naturally occurring Delta-9 THC and 75mg of CBD that work in synergy to help your body and mind wind down before bed with no next-day grogginess.

Relax risk-free with our 60-day money-back guarantee and save 25% on your first order with code RLX25.

Shop & Save 25%

before we dive in, i want to share something personal with you. the resources and insights i share here are only possible because of partnerships with organizations that align with the same mission: to truly help. i only work with businesses that provide value and solutions for the struggles we face, because i would never offer anything i don’t believe in. if you’d like to support and access even more resources, click the link to visit our sponsor. your support not only helps keep this going, but it could also give you tools that make a real difference in your journey.

have you ever made a decision—not because it was the right one for you, but because it was the least anxiety-inducing?

maybe you declined an invitation to hang out with friends because the thought of socializing felt overwhelming. maybe you avoided asking for help at work because you didn’t want to “bother” anyone. maybe you skipped an opportunity because the risk felt too big, even if the reward could have been life-changing.

anxiety doesn’t just live in your head. it’s in every choice you make, shaping your life in subtle yet significant ways. the worst part? it often convinces you that these choices are yours, when really, they’re the result of fear and overthinking.

Why Anxiety Influences Your Decisions

1. The Need for Certainty
   anxiety makes you crave predictability. instead of taking risks or exploring the unknown, you default to “safe” choices that feel less threatening—even if they’re not what you truly want.

2. Avoidance of Discomfort
   whether it’s avoiding social situations, difficult conversations, or new experiences, anxiety convinces you that avoiding discomfort is the only way to cope.

3. Overthinking Every Outcome
   anxiety loves to imagine every possible scenario, especially the worst ones. this overthinking leaves you paralyzed, too afraid to act or move forward.

4. Fear of Judgment
   the worry of what others might think can make even small decisions feel monumental. anxiety magnifies this fear, keeping you stuck in a cycle of self-doubt.

My Story: The Choices I Let Anxiety Make

i’ll never forget the day i skipped a career opportunity that could have changed my life.

a friend had invited me to speak at an event—a small group, nothing too intimidating—but the thought of standing in front of people made my chest tighten. “what if i mess up? what if they think i’m not good enough? what if i fail?”

i told my friend i was “too busy,” but the truth was, i let anxiety make the choice for me. afterward, i felt regret. not just for missing the opportunity, but for letting fear win.

this wasn’t an isolated incident. i can think of countless times i stayed silent, stayed home, or stayed small because anxiety convinced me it was safer. but here’s what i’ve learned: “safe” choices don’t always protect you—they keep you from growing.

How to Stop Letting Anxiety Control Your Choices

if anxiety has been making your decisions for you, it’s time to take back control. here’s what helped me:

Start With Small Risks
you don’t have to dive into the deep end. begin with small, manageable steps outside your comfort zone, like saying “yes” to one new thing or sharing a single thought in a group.

Challenge the “What Ifs”
when anxiety spirals into worst-case scenarios, pause and ask yourself, “what’s the evidence for this? what’s the most likely outcome?” you’ll often find that your fears are exaggerated.

Focus on the Present
anxiety loves to drag you into the past or future. grounding exercises—like naming five things you can see, hear, or touch—can help bring you back to the moment.

Learn to Sit With Discomfort
avoiding discomfort only reinforces anxiety’s hold on you. practice sitting with small amounts of discomfort, reminding yourself that it’s temporary and you’re strong enough to handle it.

Celebrate Progress
every time you make a choice that aligns with what you truly want—rather than what anxiety wants—celebrate it. each step forward is proof that you’re capable of change.

Let’s Talk

thank you for reading and for being here. i’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences—whether it’s about anxiety, decision-making, or anything else. reply to this email or dm me on instagram if you’d like to share or talk privately. i get a lot of messages, but i promise to do my best to respond to each one.

you’re not alone in this, and together, we can take back control. 💙