Feeling Overwhelmed by Anxiety? You May Be More Resilient Than You Think
Anxiety has a way of convincing you that you are fragile—that if something goes wrong, you won’t cope, you won’t survive it, or you will completely fall apart. It convinces us that we won’t be able to handle what is ahead. These thoughts can feel incredibly real and persuasive. They can create a powerful sense of overwhelm, making challenges feel larger and our capacity feel smaller. But they are not accurate reflections of your actual capacity. The truth is this: you are more capable than you think. Anxiety does not reveal your limits—it distorts them!
How Anxiety Warps Perception
Anxiety’s job (from a nervous system perspective) is to keep you safe. When the brain perceives threat—whether real or imagined—it shifts into survival mode. It focuses on potential danger and worst case-scenarios, while filtering out evidence of your past resilience. You may forget the many times you have already faced difficult moments and found a way through. In this survival state:
The brain prioritizes worst-case scenarios
Past challenges fade from memory
Confidence and problem-solving feel inaccessible
Emotions feel overwhelming and urgent
This is why anxiety often sounds like:
“I won’t be able to handle it.”
“This will break me.”
“I cannot do hard things.”
These are not facts. They are signals from the nervous system that feels overload.
The Gap Between Fear and Reality
If you look at your life honestly, you have already handled far more than anxiety gives you credit for. Think about it, have you experienced….loss, stressful transitions, health challenges, relationship ruptures, unexpected changes, or emotional pain you once thought would be unbearable. You may not have handled these moments perfectly—but you handled them enough. You adapted. You survived. You learned. Anxiety conveniently ignores this evidence.
Anxiety Confuses Discomfort with Danger
One of anxiety’s biggest tricks is equating discomfort with catastrophe. An important truth to remember: feeling overwhelmed is not the same as being incapable. Feeling scared does not mean you are unsafe. Feeling uncertain does not mean you are unprepared. Discomfort is a normal part of being human—especially when something matters. Anxiety exaggerates discomfort and labels it as proof that you “cannot handle it.”
In reality, discomfort often means:
Growth is happening
Something is unfamiliar, not impossible
Your nervous system needs support, not avoidance
Capacity Is Not The Same As Calm
Many people believe they must feel calm in order to be capable. This is not true. You can….feel anxious AND take small, meaningful steps forward, feel overwhelmed AND make thoughtful decisions, feel afraid AND move forward.. Capacity is not about the absence of anxiety—it is about your ability to function with it. Strength often shows up quietly—in asking for help, pausing to regulate your breath, or choosing one more manageable action at a time.
Building Trust in Your Ability to Cope
Instead of asking, “What if I cannot handle it?” try reframing to:
“What supports would help me handle this?:
“What have I done in the past when things were hard?”
“What is one small step I can take right now?”
These questions shift the focus from imagined failure to practical resilience.
Support the Nervous System
Because anxiety lives in the body as much as the mind, supporting your nervous system can help restore a sense of capability. What might this look like? Try:
Slow, deep breathing to signal safety
Grounding techniques to orient to the present moment
Predictable routines
Adequate rest and nourishment
Psychotherapy when needed
When the nervous system feels safe, confidence often follows.
A Gentle Reminder:
You are not weak for feeling anxious. You are not broken because things feel hard. Anxiety is loud, but it is not wise. You have survived every hard day you have faced so far. That does not mean you won’t struggle again—it means you already carry proof of your strength. You already have handled more than you give yourself credit for. Your nervous system may be activated (learn more about your nervous system here), but your capacity is still there—waiting to be met with patience and care.
If anxiety is making daily life feel overwhelming, you do not have to navigate it alone. Support can help your nervous system feel safer and expand your sense of capacity. Therapy offers a space to slow down, build coping tools, and reconnect with your inherent resilience—at a pace that feels right for you. If you are curious about support, you are welcome to schedule a free consultation here!
Disclaimer: This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this blog does not establish a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing severe distress or are in crisis, please contact a licensed mental health professional or local emergency services.
