‘I notice the lump in my throat getting bigger. I fight back tears as my sons stare at me wide-eyed. I pray God will help me carry all this weight.’: Mom with anxiety urges ‘life is too short, throw in the towel’

“I notice the lump in my throat getting bigger and I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest.

It appears the walls are caving in and I can’t find my way out.

It’s hard to breathe and I can feel my face start to flush.

Anxiety has a way of stopping me dead in my tracks.

Sometimes it creeps up slowly and I feel the internal struggle and the intense emotions it causes.

Fighting back the tears as my two young sons stare at me wide-eyed, wondering if I’m okay.

And then there are days where it hits fast and with unbearable force.

The weight takes my breath away and I find myself running to the bathroom to catch my breath and splash cold water over my face.

These moments are getting more frequent and more intense as the days go by.

It’s hard to take care of yourself when you’re always taking care of everyone else.

And I’m struggling to find the balance between keeping it all together without falling apart and realizing when I need a break.

I’m really good at the ‘I’m okay’ act and have been doing it for years.

Truth is my friends, anxiety is real.

It can be debilitating and life alternating if not controlled.

I am working hard to gain that control back.

I know this rollercoaster all too well and I will continue to fight for better days ahead.

Days with less anxiety and fear.

Days with less panic attacks and more time enjoying things I love.

Days with fewer tears and more laughter and smiles.

Days filled with more time enjoying the little moments and less time worrying about things that are out of my control.

Life is too short to live with so much weight on our shoulders all the time.

Tonight, I’m throwing in the towel.

I’m praying and asking God to help me carry this weight.

And to give me the strength I need to take care of myself too.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Christina Abernethy of Love, Hope & Autism. Submit your own story here and besure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories, and YouTube for our best videos.

Read more stories like this:

‘My anxiety and depression can make me a sh*tty friend, but I’m not sorry.’: Woman thankful for friends who stick around despite mental health struggles

‘At 22, I had two kids and still couldn’t drive. Every time a car got behind me, I had to pull over and cry.’: Woman battling anxiety says ‘don’t let anyone make you feel less for not driving’

‘She’s not broken’: To the man whose wife or partner has anxiety

Do you know someone who could benefit from reading this? SHARE this story on Facebook with family and friends.