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7 min readManaging Anxiety

Living With Anxiety: When Everything Feels a Bit Too Much

Anxiety doesn't always feel dramatic. This guide explores how anxiety appears quietly in everyday life and how counselling can help you feel less alone with it.

Anxiety doesn't always arrive loudly. Sometimes it builds quietly in the background — a constant sense of unease, overthinking, or feeling on edge without knowing exactly why.

You might still be functioning, going to work, caring for others, and getting through the day. But underneath, things feel heavy, tiring, or overwhelming. Many people live with anxiety like this for a long time before reaching out for support.

Anxiety Isn't Just Worrying

Anxiety can show up in many different ways. For some people, it's racing thoughts or constant "what ifs". For others, it's physical — a tight chest, tense shoulders, headaches, or a stomach that never quite settles.

You might notice:

  • Difficulty relaxing or switching off
  • Overthinking conversations or decisions
  • Feeling on edge, irritable, or emotionally drained
  • Avoiding situations that feel too much
  • Trouble sleeping or feeling rested
  • Often, anxiety isn't about one specific thing. It can come from ongoing stress, pressure, change, or carrying too much without space to pause.

    "Other People Cope — Why Can't I?"

    One of the hardest parts of anxiety is the self-judgement that comes with it. You might tell yourself that you _should_ be coping better, that others have it worse, or that you're being unreasonable for feeling this way.

    But anxiety isn't a weakness or a failure. It's often a sign that something in your life needs care, attention, or understanding — not criticism.

    When Anxiety Starts to Take Over

    You don't need to reach breaking point for anxiety to be worth addressing. Counselling can be helpful if anxiety or stress is:

  • Constant or increasingly overwhelming
  • Affecting your sleep, work, or relationships
  • Leaving you feeling stuck or disconnected
  • Making everyday life feel harder than it needs to be
  • Many people seek counselling not because everything is falling apart, but because they're tired of carrying everything alone.

    How Counselling Can Help With Anxiety

    Counselling offers a calm, confidential space to slow things down and begin to understand what's going on beneath the surface.

    Rather than trying to "fix" anxiety, counselling allows you to:

  • Explore where your anxiety may have come from
  • Notice patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
  • Develop greater self-awareness and self-compassion
  • Feel less alone with what you're experiencing
  • For many people, simply having space to talk openly — without judgement or pressure — can bring a sense of relief.

    Taking a Gentle First Step

    If anxiety or stress has been part of your life for a while, it's understandable to feel unsure about reaching out. You don't need to have the right words, a clear plan, or a specific reason.

    If you're curious about counselling, you're welcome to get in touch and see whether it feels like the right support for you. Sometimes, acknowledging that things feel hard is a meaningful first step in itself.


    If you're wondering whether counselling might help with your anxiety, you can get in touch via my contact form to ask any questions or arrange a brief initial call to explore whether working together feels like a good fit.