Meet Cecily

Louisiana, 43
Anxiety, Reformed People-Pleaser

I started experiencing anxious thoughts during my teenage years and they continued into my early twenties. When I feel anxious, my thoughts start racing and I slip into “panic mode.” I am a reformed people pleaser, and I have learned that I will never satisfy everyone. My anxiety is much better than it used to be. However, there are still times when I have to center myself, breathe, pray, and simply be still. 

I used to care deeply about what people thought of me. Honestly, I don’t care anymore.

Everyone struggles with something, even if they don’t share it with others. Growing up, people sometimes thought I was sensitive or dramatic. However, over time, I realized that some people were taking advantage of my kindness and sensitivity. 

One misconception people have is that something is “wrong” with you if you have anxiety or are dealing with any other illness or disorder. I wish others understood how alone many people can feel when they are struggling with anxiety or any other mental health challenge. I also wish people would be more careful about judging others or forming preconceived notions about them.

You never know when something you make fun of or dismiss today could become something you or someone in your family experiences tomorrow. Today’s joke could become tomorrow’s pain. 

My best advice for healing and coping is to find the right therapist for you. There is nothing wrong with seeking therapy. In fact, asking for help can be one of the strongest things you can do. One quote I came across really resonated with me: “Most of us in therapy are in therapy to deal with people who will not go to therapy.” 

So many people suffer in silence because they are afraid of what others might think, or they are scared to seek help. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has chapters of their lives that they don’t share with others. We all struggle with different things, and everyone’s journey is different. 

On difficult days, I allow myself to feel my feelings, but I don’t stay there. Healing is never linear. Ignoring my feelings has never worked for me. Instead, I have learned to acknowledge them, sit with them, and then keep moving forward. 

I decided to write a book about my anxiety. Honestly, writing was—and still is—therapeutic for me. Putting my experiences into words has given me a way to process what I have been through, understand myself better, and hopefully remind others that they are not alone.