The Obstacle of Anxiety

In the essay “Anxiety: Challenge by Another Name,” James Lincoln Collier suggests that trying something new and different may be frightening, but by overcoming worries, learning ensues, and opportunities open up. Thanks to his experiences from youth through adulthood, he has learned to embrace risk-taking throughout his life. Collier’s drive to overcome his nerves led him to parachute jump, ski, and ride in a balloon. He developed several rules about anxiety that he always applies.

As for me, I have battled my anxiety my whole life. As a young child, nerves always seemed to get the best of me; consequently, I would avoid intimidating situations at all costs. While I grew and matured, I realized a need to find ways past my insecurities. Collier’s rules resonated in my head, awakening memories of situations when I, too, chose to overcome my apprehensive feelings to get what I wanted.

One of Collier’s rules that struck me is, “You’ll never eliminate anxiety by avoiding the things that caused it” (36). Back in third grade we had recess several times a day. I would stand and observe some of my classmates playing tetherball, secretly longing to participate. Sports and games weren’t my thing, and I was terrified that I would embarrass myself. For some reason, and I can’t figure out why to this day, I took a place in line and played my first game. I quickly lost; yet what amazed me even more is that I actually got back in line again. After several months of playing, I became so skilled that no one could beat me.

Another rule I can relate to is, “Do what makes you anxious; don’t do what makes you depressed” (Collier 35). Sometime after high school, I found myself working at a dead-end retail job. The manager was impossible to please, and the work was slow and monotonous. An opportunity arose for me to purchase an existing vending operation. I knew nothing about vending, didn’t own a truck or van, and payments on the business would be twice that of my mortgage payment. I decided to give it a go, because the thought of keeping that meaningless job drove me mad. It turned out that I learned a lot about the business, paid the loans off early and my self-esteem soared.

Finally, after contemplating an assignment that would force him to navigate several foreign countries, Collier assessed that, “You can’t learn if you don’t try” (37). Being in the business world strengthened my desire to learn more about business; so I knew attending college was the way for me to go. I was nervous about going. I had been out of school for many years and was perplexed with the whole process of registering, figuring out prerequisites, and taking online classes. I made up my mind to try it anyway. Somehow, I navigated the whole mess, completed nearly five quarters thus far, and have learned loads of things that have helped me.

As I’ve meandered down the boulevard of life, I have learned to swat aside my butterflies to grasp hold of what I really want. Achieving my goals is a magnificent feeling, but knowing I conquered the barrier of anxiety to get there is like icing and sprinkles on a chocolate Costco cake.

Works Cited

Collier, James Lincoln. “Anxiety: Challenge by Another Name.” Reader’s Digest Sept. 1997:  35-37