Anxiety Momster

Tag: high functioning

  • Today Was a High Functioning Anxiety Day—But I Still Showed Up

    Today Was a High Functioning Anxiety Day—But I Still Showed Up

    ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This post discusses health anxiety, panic, and fear around daily tasks.
    📌 Disclaimer: This blog shares personal experiences and is not intended to replace professional medical advice.

    Today was a high functioning anxiety day.

    That means I still did things—I got out of bed, I worked from home, I showered—but it felt like dragging myself through quicksand the whole time.

    I woke up already in panic mode.
    My chest felt off.
    My thoughts were racing.
    And the first thing I did?
    Check my heart rate. Again. And again. And again.

    Scared to Shower, But I Didn’t Want to Be Alone

    Even something as “simple” as a shower felt scary today.
    What if I got lightheaded?
    What if I panicked with no one nearby?

    So I asked my husband to shower with me. Not to fix me, just to be there.
    And he was.

    That’s what surviving looks like sometimes.

    I Still Worked—But It Wasn’t Easy

    I work from home, and I logged in like always.
    But today? I took a lot of breaks.
    I had to step away to breathe, to cry, to calm myself down.

    Every ping, every message, every task felt heavier than usual.
    But I did it. Slowly. Anxiously.
    And that still counts.

    This is what a high functioning anxiety day looks like for me:
    Smiling on the outside.
    Fighting for calm on the inside.

    I’m Not Lazy. I’m Overwhelmed.

    Some people will never understand this kind of anxiety.
    But if you’re reading this, I know you do.

    You know what it’s like to be afraid of your own body.
    To second-guess every twinge, every tight breath, every heart flutter.
    To survive an entire day without anyone knowing you were in panic mode the whole time.

    If today was that kind of day for you too—this post is for you.

    You’re not dramatic.
    You’re not weak.
    You’re just doing your best with a brain that never shuts up.

  • Working While Anxious: How I Survive the Workday with a Mind That Won’t Shut Off

    Working While Anxious: How I Survive the Workday with a Mind That Won’t Shut Off

    A Real Look at Balancing Mental Health and Making a Living

    ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This post discusses mental health, anxiety symptoms, emotional stress, and the challenges of working while living with anxiety.

    📌 Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. This blog is based on my lived experience working with anxiety. For medical advice or diagnosis, please consult a licensed provider.

    Some mornings, just getting out of bed and facing my inbox feels like running a marathon. The anxiety hits before I even clock in. My heart races. My chest feels tight. My mind is already drowning in what-ifs.

    What if I mess up?
    What if I freeze during a Zoom call?
    What if they think I’m not good enough?

    This is what working with anxiety looks like.

    🏢 The Invisible Battle at Work

    Most people don’t know I’m anxious.

    I answer emails. I show up to meetings. I hit my deadlines. But inside?

    • I’m rereading messages 3 times before hitting send.
    • I’m sweating during a “quick call.”
    • I’m talking myself down from spiraling every time someone says “Can we talk?”

    High-functioning anxiety means I look capable on the outside — and completely wrecked on the inside.

    🤔 How I Manage Anxiety on the Clock

    Here’s what helps me stay grounded during the workday:

    1. Pre-Shift Breathing Rituals

    Before I even open my work apps, I sit with my water, breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 6. It helps calm the nervous system before the chaos starts.

    2. Text Reassurance Scripts

    I keep a few notes on my phone that remind me of the truth:

    “You’ve done this before. You can do it again.” “You are allowed to take your time.” “A typo is not the end of the world.”

    3. Micro Breaks

    If my chest gets tight or my hands start shaking, I take 3 minutes to stretch, walk, or just breathe in silence. No explanation needed.

    4. Clear Communication Boundaries

    I set my status when I need focus time. I use templates for stressful emails. And I give myself permission to not answer everything immediately.

    I am thankful to have found a job that truly cares for its employees — and that has been a big blessing in my anxiety journey.

    🧠 What I Wish More People Knew

    • Anxiety is not laziness.
    • Avoidance isn’t irresponsibility.
    • That “overthinker” label? That’s often trauma management.

    Working with anxiety is a constant internal negotiation. And some days, just showing up is the win.

    If you’re reading this and nodding your head — know this:
    You’re not alone. You’re not weak. And you’re doing more than enough.

    💜 Need Help Staying Grounded at Work?

    Grab my free Peace Over Panic Journal + Tracker to support you through the workday chaos.

    👉 Download it here

    Includes daily check-ins, breathing logs, symptom tracking, and space to write out your thoughts before they spiral.