Things are worrisome right now.

We’re facing a pandemic; a pandemic that’s taken thousands of lives, shut down businesses, and forced people to stay at homs. Yes, we faced worse crises in the past, but that doesn’t mean we have to ignore what’s happening right now. The Coronavirus is a cause for concern, and there’s no shame in having certain feelings about it.

Fear.

Apprehension.

Anger.

Unsureness.

Anxiety.

As someone who was already living in a near-constant state of anxiety, this is business as usual.

Those of us with severe anxiety are in a perpetual state of fight-or-flight; a belief that the worst is about to happen, so we better be ready.

We didn’t ask for this mindset, but for some reason, we still got it, and now we have to play with the hand we’re dealt.

While living with anxiety is torture 99% of the time, I see a tiny benefit to it all: this is the closest we’ll ever get to experiencing Spidey Sense!

I’m kidding.

The one great thing I’ve learned about my anxiety is that it made me prepared.

That foreboding feeling that everyone has been experiencing over the past few weeks as the pandemic grew? Like I said, that’s a familiar feeling for those of us with severe anxiety.

We know what it’s like to constantly worry about what’s going to happen next. We know what it’s like to have our minds bombarded with worst-case scenarios. We’ve become experts at Googling the tiniest tickle in our throat and assuming it’s a death sentence.

All that worrying, anxiety, and “what-ifs?”.

We’ve been dealing with that for so long, and now, most of us are going on with our days like nothing is out of the ordinary.

Are we worried about coronavirus and how it’s affecting the world?

Of course.

But at the same time, we’re not breaking down into panic attacks like we normally would be. If anything, from what I’ve witnessed among friends and family, I’ve never seen anxiety-fighters so… collected.

Seeing people who are so anxiety-prone actually providing relief and comfort for others is mind-blowing. We’ve learned to use our coping methods to not only keep ourselves calm and cool, but to help others as well.

To me, it’s a refreshing feeling being able to take what was once perceived as a weakness, and turning it into a strength. We’re now using our anxiety as a weapon against the fear and hopelessness that’s been spreading due to the Coronavirus.

We live for this.

Sorry if this sounds unprofessional, but it’s time to be blunt: Anxiety sucks. It really sucks. But if it teaches us how to help others, especially in times of crisis, then maybe there is some good in it after all.