In my last post, I shared an experience I had during meditation—a profound journey of healing and understanding. This is a practice I engage in often, delving deep into my inner world to uncover the roots of my feelings and reactions. That particular meditation was especially beautiful, yet it stemmed from something so simple: a wave of anxiety triggered by an ordinary moment.
Here’s what happened. My husband casually mentioned that he didn’t want to watch TV, and almost instantly, I felt anxious. Now, at first glance, it might seem like an overreaction, even to me. But because I’ve done this inner work so many times, I quickly recognized the need to pause, sit in meditation, and explore what was really going on.
As I went inward, I saw her—my inner child. She was feeling unsafe, unloved, and uncared for. I realized that the anxiety I felt in that moment wasn’t about my husband or the TV at all. It was a childhood wound resurfacing.
In my mind, watching TV was “wrong.” The “right” thing to do was to meditate, to be productive, to follow the path I’ve set for myself. And when I didn’t do the “right” thing, I felt a deep sense of rejection. This came from a place in my childhood where I had learned, consciously or unconsciously, that love and care were conditional—earned by doing the “right” things.
As I sat with that realization, I felt compassion for my inner child. I understood that she was still carrying that programmed belief: “If you don’t do what’s right, you won’t be loved.” This belief had shaped so many of my reactions, creating a sense of urgency, even anxiety, when I felt I wasn’t living up to certain expectations.
But here’s the truth I reminded her—and myself: I am safe. I am loved. I am free to choose without fear.
This process of uncovering and healing these hidden beliefs is so important. Often, when we overreact to something small, we dismiss it. We think, “Oh, I’m just being too sensitive.” But these reactions have roots, deeper than we realize. They are strings from the past, quietly pulling us in the present.
By going within, by catching these moments and lovingly addressing that part of ourselves that feels hurt or afraid, we can begin to untangle those strings. Slowly, we free ourselves from the subconscious programming that has shaped us.
For me, this journey isn’t just about resolving one moment of anxiety. It’s about creating a life lived in peace and awareness. Anxiety, I’ve learned, is not necessary for decision-making. Imagine a doctor performing an emergency surgery—would you want them anxious or calm? Calmness allows for clarity, for presence, for aligned action.
The same is true for all of us. Living in calm awareness makes life so much lighter, so much freer. And it starts with that willingness to go within, to heal the roots of our reactions, and to remind ourselves that we are safe, loved, and whole.
This is the work I talk about in my book, How to Overcome Anxiety. It’s about uncovering the deeper sense beneath what seems to be an overreaction. It’s about reclaiming our freedom to live in calmness and love.
So the next time you feel a wave of anxiety over something seemingly small, pause. Ask yourself, Why is this here? What is it really about? And most importantly, remind yourself: I am safe. I am free. I am loved.
Healing is a journey, but it’s one that brings us closer to our true selves—calm, peaceful, and whole.
Katiana
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