When anxiety shows up unexpectedly 😬
Jan 12, 2026 12:01 pm
There I was, - a familiar environment, surrounded by familiar people. Nothing new. Nothing threatening.
And yet… I felt trapped.
It was as if invisible walls were slowly closing in. My vision narrowed. My breaths became shallow and quick. That heavy, panicky feeling crept in out of nowhere.
I’ve been in situations like that a million times before, and they’d never bothered me.
But that day? Anxiety showed up loud and uninvited - in the form of a full-blown attack.
Thankfully, someone I trust noticed right away. She leaned in and asked if I was okay.
I wasn’t.
All I could manage to say was, “Please get me out of here.”
No questions. No hesitation. She gently grabbed my elbow and guided me through the crowd into a quiet hallway.
And that’s where things began to shift.
Once the noise and pressure eased, I remembered to breathe.
Slow, intentional breaths. (Box breathing - something I’d practiced many times before.)
Between the breathing and having someone calm beside me, my body slowly began to regulate. I didn’t disappear into the spiral. I didn’t lose control. I was able to steady myself and move forward with what I needed to do.
That moment reminded me of two really important truths:
👉 We need safe people.
People who notice. People who respond with compassion instead of questions or judgment.
👉 We also need tools.
Because anxiety doesn’t always wait for the “right” time—and we won’t always have someone right beside us.
Learning skills like breathing techniques, grounding strategies, and self-regulation isn’t about avoiding anxiety altogether. It’s about knowing how to care for yourself when it shows up.
You don’t have to do this alone.
And you’re not weak for needing support.
HERE’S HOW TO TAKE ACTION RIGHT NOW…
Looking for a place to connect with other teen girls who truly get it?
Christian Anxiety Support for Teen Girls is officially open! This free community is a safe, supportive space where you can ask questions, share struggles, and find encouragement beyond the podcast. I’d love for you to join us 🖤
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