What is one of the first things you do when you realize you need to fix something on your car or in your house? If it isn't, it should be to gather all of the tools you think you will need to repair the problem. You may not use all of the tools, but it helps to have a variety of options to see what works best in that specific situation. Why should managing anxiety be any different? Today I'm sharing what I've put in my anxiety toolbox for times when I need some help returning to a calmer state of mind. I hope that these will help you to create and expand your own toolbox! If you haven't read Part 1 and Part 2 of this anxiety series, go check those out!

Welcome back, friends! I'm so glad you're back for part 2, if you haven't read part 1 of this series, check that out here. This is a story of my journey with anxiety. It is one that I am learning to be proud of and instead of viewing it as a negative thing, I’m choosing to look at it as a story of hope. Let's dive right in.

Hindsight is always 20/20. Looking back at my life before I was diagnosed with anxiety, it all adds up; all the little random spells of feeling unbalanced, or random bouts of irritation, make sense now. This is a story of my journey with anxiety. It is one that I am learning to be proud of and instead of viewing it as a negative thing, I'm choosing to look at it as a story of hope.

If there is one thing I have learned (and am continuing to learn) in 2016, it is this. I DO NOT have to change myself to live a happy and fulfilling life, which is why for 2017, I am taking a different stance on New Year Resolutions.