setting yourself free

Let’s talk about what it really means to feel free.

For so many of us, especially Black and brown millennial women, freedom feels like something we’re constantly chasing but never quite catching. Maybe it’s because life has taught us that we have to carry it all—the responsibilities, the expectations, the weight of being the strong one. And somewhere along the way, anxiety snuck in. It’s that constant hum in the background, telling you to worry, to anticipate the worst, to never fully relax. But here’s the thing: Freedom from anxiety is possible, and it starts with you deciding to set yourself free.

The Invisible Chains of Anxiety

Anxiety doesn’t always show up in the dramatic ways people expect. It’s not always panic attacks or hyperventilating (though it can be). Sometimes, it’s much more subtle and insidious. It’s the tightness in your chest when you wake up in the morning, knowing that your to-do list is already longer than the hours you have in the day. It’s the overthinking about a simple text message—reading and re-reading it, trying to decode a hidden meaning that likely isn’t there.

And for many of us, it’s the constant need to anticipate the worst. Even when things seem fine, there’s that nagging voice whispering, *What if it all falls apart? What if you’re not enough?*

You may not even realize how deeply anxiety has woven itself into your daily routine. You push through the day, checking off tasks and handling responsibilities, but you’re running on fumes. Your body is tense, your mind is racing, and you’re stuck in a loop of “what ifs” and “what nexts.”

Breathe Again: The Power of Pausing

Now, imagine what it would feel like to breathe again. Not the shallow, rushed breaths that come with a racing mind, but deep, calming breaths that fill your lungs and give you the space to just *be.* It may sound simple, but learning to breathe deeply, to pause and be present, is one of the first steps to breaking free from anxiety’s grip.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to just stop? To pause and ask yourself how you’re really feeling? Anxiety keeps us on high alert, always ready for the next problem, the next obstacle. But part of healing—part of setting yourself free—is learning that it’s okay to rest. It’s okay to breathe deeply and trust that the world won’t fall apart because you took a moment for yourself.

Why Therapy Is Key to Setting Yourself Free

The truth is, breaking free from anxiety isn’t something you have to do on your own. In fact, trying to handle it all by yourself is often what keeps you stuck. Therapy is where you learn to put down the weight. It’s where you gain the tools to manage your anxiety, understand your triggers, and rewrite the stories your mind has been telling you.

But therapy isn’t just about talking—it’s about doing the work. It’s about showing up for yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. In therapy, we’ll explore the root of your anxiety, understanding why it shows up the way it does and how to create new, healthier patterns.

You’ll learn how to identify the thoughts that fuel your anxiety and replace them with ones that serve you better. You’ll develop coping mechanisms that allow you to pause, breathe, and take control of your emotions rather than letting them control you.

And most importantly, you’ll start to trust yourself again. Trust that you are enough, that you are capable, and that you deserve the peace you’ve been seeking.

Freedom Is Waiting for You

Setting yourself free from anxiety isn’t about erasing it altogether. Anxiety may still show up from time to time—that’s part of being human. But freedom comes from knowing that you have the power to manage it, that you’re no longer at its mercy. It’s about learning how to live your life with more ease, more joy, and more space to just breathe.