The Insecurity Blanket

It's 2 a.m. and your heartbeat begins to accelerate. The world seems like it is pushing down on your shoulders. Your eyes are bloodshot and you're ready to scream.

You're nervous. You're insecure. You're scared.

Indifference about the future exists.

What am I doing with my life? Who am I supposed to marry? Is my significant other cheating on me? Will I ever have enough money to be comfortable?

These questions plague us. They rest in the back of our minds and ream their heads at times in which we can't do anything about them. However, we panic and let them ruin our night and, temporarily, our lives.

Don't let insecurity consume you. Don't let thoughts, ideas and uncertainty get the best of you.

Instead, exhibit patience and wait until you can actually do something about the issues at hand. Sleep on it. Pray. Do whatever it is that you do to get you out of your mind temporarily until you can actually fix the problems.

The main cure to insecurity I have seen is communication.

Personally, I'm quite insecure, regardless of my confidence in social situations and my ever-so-alluring swag. I let my thoughts get the best of me, but I've learned that when I discuss my issues, they are resolved or I create a plan of attack to fix them.

Grade paranoia is one of my biggest downfalls. I let my grades control me and ruin my days.

I'm so stupid. I'll never be remembered. I'll never make anything of myself. I'll be poor forever.

I've learned to converse with professors and let them know that I am a serious student. This generally buys me a grade up in the class. I've done this since my senior year in high school and it has yet to fail me.

Another issue that resides internally is the insecurity of faithfulness: is my significant other cheating on me? Such a ridiculous thought, especially if you are giving the relationship your best shot and you both are very happy with each other. However, circumstances and instances in my past freak me out and I have quite the time trusting.

I lay in my bed and play out horrific scenarios in my head that make my blood pressure rise. I begin to plot out revenge for something that hasn't even happened. I start to shake because I fear I'll be left alone.

Yep, the kid who sometimes walks around with vampire fangs, 
teased hair, snake bites, studded belts and eyeliner gets a little
nervous about what people think of him and his future.

,

I'm pathetic. There's someone out there that can make her feel more comfortable and wanted than I.

In this case, security is also achieved through communication. I talk to my girlfriend and let her know my feelings. She reassures me and, even though I'm not 100 percent comfortable at the time, I can rest a little better at night.

There's no point in worrying about things you cannot control at the moment. Freaking out about the future in the middle of the night won't resolve anything. Wait until the morning, after you have slept, to create a plan of attack.

You're better than a panic attack. You have so much more to offer the world.

Don't let insecurity weigh you down, because chances are, since you are already aware of what needs to be done, you will get it done! You know what you want to achieve, or what you don't want to become, so you will work toward an optimal future.

Sometimes I wish I could heed my own advice. I get wrapped up in my physical appearance and weight that I shut out everyone, including myself. There's a voice inside of me that hates what I am and yells at the mirror.

Look at how fat you are. No one could ever find you attractive. Workout now or you won't earn the right to eat tonight. 

However,  I know that I can't be completely physically fit in one night and that I have come along way since I started, so I shouldn't worry.

Positively reinforce yourself. If you can't, then let your best friends know your insecurities. Trust me, letting someone in will be scary at first, but when they do their best to understand and they say the right things and the right times, you will be happy you did.

Communication and patience. Those are the keys to a lower stress level. 

It's like the night before the first day of school: restless legs, tossing and turning, thoughts and nervousness about the day to come. Because it's not yet the first day of school, don't worry about it!  Don't stress over something you cannot control.

I'm strong. I can do this. I've always done it. I know who I want to be and I will become that. Just let me get a little sleep first and we'll slay this monster in the morning.

Attack the issue when you can and save yourself from insecurity.