08 Jan Welcome to Anxiety World: Where Everything Is Spinning and Nothing Makes Sense (!)

Do you ever wake up feeling like you’re wading through a fog of stress and anxiety, only to wonder what on earth is causing it? Is it the unfinished work assignment that lingers like the unmistakable smell of day-old tuna? Or maybe it’s the family drama that seems to unfold like a poorly scripted soap opera. But wait, it can’t be the weather, right? It’s sunny outside, and if 90s pop culture has taught us anything, it’s that sunshine cures all ailments, right? Wrong.

Then there’s your dog – your sweet, lovable pooch who has suddenly become more clingy and vocal than a needy karaoke partner. Enough to make you toss your hands in the air and cry, “What the F@#% is it?” Could it be that it’s a cocktail of all these things, generously garnished with the fact that that pesky piece of code still won’t work, even with ChatGPT at your beck and call, insisting it’s doing its best like a friendly but clueless assistant?

You’d think mindfulness could provide relief, but you’re feeling so electric and buzzed, you could power a small village with that untamed energy. And there’s your mind, off to the races again—oh joy! Could it be the Girl Scout cookie sale driving you up every conceivable wall? Your little sweetheart just needs to sell 50 more boxes to earn that magical day at the lake—no pressure or anything, but who would pass up on getting an award for pushing sugary snacks?

The background symphony of your washer whirring around and around teeters between white noise and an impending chore. It’s almost meditative, much like being lulled into a false sense of security by the relentless waves of the sea or the raw power of an AC/DC song. Except, those five minutes of peace are shattered when it hits you—time to hike it to the dryer.

Ah, perhaps it’s the passage of time, dealing the ultimate blow. Your little one is turning 10 today, which is essentially the definitive proof that you’re getting older (that and your not-so-nimble knees giving you perpetual weather updates). A mere decade ago, your responsibilities were relatively manageable: show up to work and maybe throw together a semblance of a meal. Now, you’ve entered the era where your child has been handed an iWatch—a delightful gift, except it feels like you opened Pandora’s box. Every activity demands your urgent attention via endless notifications. Her whims, opinions, and demands have snowballed into a veritable avalanche that you’re not quite equipped to snowboard down.

Is it any wonder we find ourselves in the chaotic whirlpool that shall henceforth be dubbed “Anxiety World”? Oh, anxiety is a sly beast, armed with an arsenal of stimuli ready to push your stressometers to uncharted territories. The truth is, if you don’t have an answer, that’s fine—none of us do. You’re in good company. So strap in and welcome aboard the roller coaster of modern living, where sanity takes a backseat while nonsense takes the wheel.

Whether navigating the complexities of parenthood, tech glitches, or that laundry chore treadmill we all seem to be running on, remember this: You’re not alone in the game of guessing what’s causing this simmering stress soup. The landscape of life may sometimes feel like juggling chainsaws while balancing on a unicycle—but the fact you’re doing it, and doing it with such flair, deserves its own prize. So take a breath, grab a cookie (Girl Scout, if you will), and try to enjoy the ride. Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll figure it all out—or at least get wise enough to laugh at the absurdity of it all. Until then, Cheers to surviving Anxiety World with some semblance of a smile on our faces!

PS:be sure to check out my other posts for more humorous takes on life’s everyday adventures. Who knows, you might find a giggle or two that will brighten your day! 😊✨

And if you are feeling alone in the sea of parenting stress read this