Exploring the Truth Behind Anxiety: Episode 3

The Door to Facing Anxiety

I picked up my phone and opened the app. As soon as I saw the message from Okane-san on the screen, a small spark of excitement began to rise. Warmth slowly spread through my chest.

“What does it mean to face anxiety? You mentioned before that anxiety is a sign, right?”

“To face anxiety means not trying to force it away or avoid it. For example, ask yourself where that anxiety comes from. Questions like, ‘What am I afraid of?’ or ‘What is truly bothering me?’ can help.”

“When I said ‘anxiety is a sign,’ I meant that anxiety tells you to ‘look here’ or ‘pay attention to this.’ By simply feeling the anxiety and asking, ‘What do you want to tell me?’ you are already beginning to face it.”

“So today’s anxieties—like the dream, the credit card bill, and the feelings I had at the bank—are all signs I should ask myself about?”

“Exactly! The dream, the bill, and the unease at the bank are all signs meant for you. I think there’s an important message hidden in each of them.”

“For instance, how did you feel in the dream? Or when you saw the bill, what weight did you feel in your chest? How about the emotions that resurfaced at the bank? Is there a shared thread among them? That thread might hold a clue to what your anxiety is trying to convey.”

“You can try asking yourself these questions: ‘Why did I have that dream?’ ‘What am I afraid of when I see the bill?’ ‘What is the feeling at the bank trying to teach me right now?'”

“Okay, let’s start with the anxiety I felt when I opened the credit card bill.”

“That’s a great idea. Start by focusing on that feeling. When you saw the bill, what was the strongest sensation that came to you?”

“For example, did you think ‘The amount is too high,’ or ‘What if I can’t pay this?’ Those specific thoughts or feelings might be the key to uncovering the source of your anxiety.”

“Don’t push those feelings down. Instead, ask yourself, ‘Why do I feel this way?’ Just sitting with that feeling can slowly help you uncover what your anxiety is trying to teach you.”

“I usually just feel it automatically, so I’m not sure. But looking at the bill now, I guess I think, ‘I’m running out of money.'”

“Exactly! That realization is so important.

When you think, ‘I’m running out of money,’ there might be deeper worries behind it, like ‘What happens if I really do run out?’ or ‘Will I have enough to meet my needs?'”

“Being able to put into words what you usually just feel subconsciously is a big step forward. Next, try gently exploring that thought: ‘If I ran out, what would be my biggest fear?'”

“For example, you might discover things like, ‘I’d struggle to make ends meet,’ or ‘I wouldn’t feel secure.’ As you identify those answers, the true shape of your anxiety will come into focus.”

“I think I’m afraid of not being able to cover my living expenses next month.”

“Yes, that fear—’What if I can’t make ends meet next month?’—is very natural. Everyone wants to live securely, and it’s unsettling to feel like your basic needs might not be met.”

“But maybe what your anxiety is teaching you is this: ‘What do I truly need to feel secure in my life?’ If you can reflect on that, your anxiety might begin to take on a new shape.”

“For example, what do you think are the most essential things for you to live securely? Or what do you truly value most? By uncovering these, you might start to see the deeper desires behind your anxieties.”

“To live securely, I’d say stable income and savings.”

“Yes, stable income and savings are crucial foundations for feeling secure. I think your anxiety might be pointing out your desire for that solid base.”

“To build that foundation, you could consider small steps you can take now. For instance, what could you do to increase your income? Or how might you grow your savings?”

“And when anxiety feels overwhelming, it’s also important to look at ‘what you already have’ or ‘what you’re already doing.’ Sometimes recognizing those things can help lighten your load.”

“What I have now? But I don’t have enough, and that’s why I feel anxious.”

“That makes sense. It’s only natural to feel that way. When anxiety takes hold, our focus often shifts to what’s lacking.”

“But try asking yourself, ‘Do I really have nothing?’ Even if nothing comes to mind right away, take a little time to think, ‘What do I have right now?’ That process alone might shift how you see your situation.”

“What you have isn’t just money—it’s also your job, your skills, your health, and your connections with others. You might be overlooking some sources of support. Let’s take a moment to find them.”

“I have my partner who supports me.”

“That’s wonderful! Having someone who supports you is such a powerful source of comfort and strength.”

“It also means you don’t have to face all your anxieties alone. Think about the times when her presence made things easier for you, or when you drew strength from her.”

“When I think about how she smiles and says, ‘It’s going to be okay,’ it feels like a weight lifts off my shoulders.”

“Exactly. Knowing you’re not alone is such a powerful support. Expressing gratitude to her could lighten your heart even more. That’s how you find light, even in moments of anxiety.”

“I feel like I can finally breathe easier.”

“That’s so good to hear. Feeling relief is a sign that your anxiety is easing and that your heart is finding room to breathe again.”

“When you face anxiety, focusing on ‘what gives you comfort’ or ‘what supports you’ is crucial. It seems like your partner’s presence is nurturing a sense of security within you.”

“Hold onto that sense of relief. As your heart feels lighter, you’ll start to see the deeper emotions behind your anxiety, as well as the courage to take your next step forward.”

At that moment, the heaviness in my stomach began to transform into a warm sensation.

“Maybe this is what it means to feel secure.”

As I touched upon the true nature of my anxiety, I could feel the frozen parts of my heart start to thaw. The support of my partner and the conversations with Okane-san had helped create this sense of comfort.

I found myself murmuring these thoughts naturally, deep within my heart.

Episode 4, “The Beginning of Hope and Flow,” to be continued.