Help managing panic from excitement?

[confusedeggbub]

Halp!! I’m used to dealing with anxiety/depression panic, not this happy/don’t want to screw this up panic. Career/field changed to protect the troublemakers.

I had an *amazing*, not quite once-in-a-lifetime opportunity fall into my lap on Saturday. Most of the time there is a lot more time and effort involved in getting this chance. Think being a painter and doing the occasional local show, to suddenly have someone invite you to a huge industry conference where lots of art dealers will be there, along with a ton of artists you admire but haven’t previously had the chance to potentially hang out and collaborate with them.

I’m excited, flabbergasted this fell in my lap, and in knots because I really want to do my best at this conference in about a month, and the imposter syndrome that I’ve always had is hitting hard right now.

I hope you have ideas on how to enjoy the excitement, but chill out enough that my stomach isn’t in knots and I can think straight rather than just going in circles going “OMG how did this happen? This is so cool, this could be my big break!” 😵‍💫

Discussion

[MariaTeresaTiziano]

If you like listening to music, I would listen to some songs that are upbeat and confident. Something I like to do – when I’m in the mood – is put on some music and dance around the kitchen. I find it’s a fun way to get rid of different kinds of jitters/energy.

[sparklekitteh]

Making lists to “empty out my brain” helps me a lot! Write down all of the reasons you can think of why you’re anxious/panicking, what could go wrong, why you feel you don’t deserve this. Just getting it out on paper is super helpful! Then, you can go through each item on the list and consider it objectively, and think about what evidence you have as to why it’s not as big of a deal as you thought it was, or if there’s any proof you have (previous experience, external opinions) as to why those thoughts are false.

Congrats! You deserve good things! You’re going to be amazing!

[djmcfuzzyduck]

My anxiety does it for me. But seriously celebrate it!

[SecretCartographer28]

Give yourself 5 minutes day to jump around and shout woo-hoo! Then take a walk, do a work-out, burn off the energy. Then do slow yoga, sit, meditate, center yourself. As someone said, write a list of your worries and answer them. Then write a list of the reasons why you got this, why you’re earned it! So happy for you, go get em! 🤗🕯🖖

[fatmominalittlecar]

Sounds like you are describing joy. Don’t be afraid of it, ride it!