https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQXN8JJQ/
Author Interview Dancing with Anxiety
What inspired you to write Dancing
with Anxiety?
I decided to write a book about anxiety because I saw
it everywhere—around my family, in the workplace, and in social settings. While
I had a surface-level understanding of it due to my long-standing interest in
mental health, I wanted to explore it more deeply. My goal was to examine its
various facets and discover how a deeper understanding could benefit not only
myself but also others.
Can you describe the process of
creating the guided journal; what did you find most challenging?
I initially planned to write it as a traditional book
but decided to create a journal instead because I felt it would encourage
readers to engage with the material on a deeper level. A journal format prompts
readers to slow down and reflect on how the content resonates with them
personally.
One of the biggest challenges was crafting meaningful
prompts that would inspire genuine introspection. The process also brought my
own anxieties to the surface, particularly my perfectionism—I wanted every
prompt to be flawless, which often led to procrastination.
What are some common misconceptions
about anxiety that you wanted to address in this journal?
A common experience for people with anxiety is the
belief that they’re the only ones struggling, while everyone else seems to have
it all together.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. In the chapter on self-compassion, I emphasize that anxious thoughts and feelings are part of the human experience—no one is exempt. Understanding this fosters a sense of connection with others.
Another misconception is that panic attacks are
harmful. While they are undeniably scary and uncomfortable, they are not
dangerous. With the right approach, panic attacks can dissipate quickly and
leave no lasting harm.
Lastly, many people believe that medication and therapy
are the only ways to manage anxiety. While these can be helpful, there’s a wide
spectrum of anxiety disorders, and some people can find relief through simple
yet powerful techniques like breath awareness and deep breathing. These
approaches can be incredibly effective for calming the mind and body.
Throughout the book, you introduce
various coping strategies; which one do you personally find most effective?
It’s hard to choose a single favorite coping strategy,
but deep breathing with extended exhales might be at the top of my list. It
works almost instantly to calm the nervous system. I used deep breathing once
to lower my blood pressure and was amazed to see the readings drop in real time
as I practiced the technique.
What do you hope readers take away
from their journey through the journal?
By the end of this journal, I hope readers will not
only feel, but truly understand that they are greater than any thoughts or
feelings they’ve previously labeled as negative or frightening. I want them to
feel empowered—no longer victims of life’s challenges, but capable of rewriting
and creating their own narratives.
I also hope readers come to see that it’s okay to have
uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. Asking the right questions and shifting
perspectives can profoundly transform our experiences.
Lastly, I want readers to know they are not alone.
Anxiety, in some form, touches everyone, and recognizing this can foster a
sense of connection.
You included quotes from various
thinkers and writers; how do these contribute to the journal's message?
The quotes included in the journal are meant to
encourage readers to reflect deeply on specific points and create a greater
understanding of the ideas being explored. They serve as inspiration and
insights that resonate on a personal level.
Beyond that, I hope these quotes bring a sense of peace
and reassurance. I trust that by
connecting with the words of others, readers may find new perspectives and even
a spark of joy along their journey