Maddy Leigh

Because of you, 
I shut myself out from the world. 
Because of you,
I have changed physically, emotionally, and in every way possible. 
Because of you, 
I began to not even recognize who I was when I looked in the mirror.

Because of you, 
There have been times where I couldn’t breathe.
Times I felt I was going to die.
Times I felt I didn't know how I would survive without them.
Because of you, 
There are scars deep in my body
That I haven’t even discovered yet. 

For the longest time, I thought I was trying to get rid of you. 
I thought, “normal people don’t have to deal with you.” 
The medication, the new routines, the therapy,
They were supposed to destroy you completely. 
I wanted them to at least... But, I was wrong. 
They were meant to control you.
Because the truth is, you actually saved me.

How Did You Save Me, Anxiety?
You kept me on high alert. 
You made me aware of situations. 
When I looked away from danger, 
You forced danger to see me.
You saved me from a life I wasn’t meant to be living. 
I was never alone. 
You have been there with me, for my whole life. 
You are the only other thing that knows my whole story. 

Because of you, 
I became stronger, wiser, and better. 
Because of you, 
I am more patient with myself and give myself Grace.
Because of you, 
I am more kind than I was before. 
Because of you,
I know that it's okay not to be okay.

Anxiety, you do not define me.
I am a person first before you.  
I am a daughter. 
I am a sister.
I am a friend. 
I am a teacher. 
I am a learner. 
I am so much more than you, Anxiety.

Because of you, 
I am Me.


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