Overcoming Anxiety by Jadyn

Overcoming Anxiety by Jadyn - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

Anxiety is defined in Miriam Webster as “an apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated misfortune: a state of being”. I have always been a highly anxious person and in 8th grade I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder. Living with anxiety has been a challenge within itself, but one of the biggest challenges I have faced because of anxiety is socializing. For most of my life, I found social situations intimidating. Attending school, church or simply hanging out with friends or family felt overwhelming to me.

School or daycare is our first social setting and I began preschool at the age of 3. I remember crying each day when my mother or father would leave me at school. The thought of being in a room full of people familiar or not, trying to start conversations or even speaking up in class made me nervous. The fear I had of the unknown created panic inside of me and I found myself in a constant state of worry. As I matured through elementary school and entered middle school, my worry became more defined and I was consumed with being judged or embarrassing myself, so I often stayed quiet and avoided putting myself in uncomfortable situations. My anxiety affected my confidence and it began to affect me emotionally and I became depressed. The depression is what caused me to reach out for help and when my mother took me for my annual physical, I told her and the Dr. what I had been experiencing.

School was one thing, but church was something different. My Father is a Pastor and my anxiety was in overdrive during church. I dance in the dance ministry, I sing in the choir and I participate in all youth activities. The church placed me in more social environments than I cared to be in and oftentimes, feeling the pressure to be perfect because I was the Pastor’s daughter always added to my anxiousness and worry. Yes, I taught Philippians 4:6 and I have practiced it throughout my life, but prayer alone did not help. I needed practical applications for overcoming the paralysis I felt when anxiety would take over.

I was in school, Monday through Friday and in Church on Wednesdays and Sundays, and my Saturdays were filled with more socializing. Family gatherings, birthday parties and other social events continued to weigh on my psyche and there was no way to escape the pressure I felt being in social settings. My anxiety kept me from fully enjoying experiences that other people seemed to handle easily. Over time, I realized that if I wanted to grow as a person, I needed to stop letting fear control my life.

One of the biggest changes I made was learning how to challenge my negative thoughts. I used to assume that everyone around me was paying attention to every mistake I made, but eventually I realized that most people are focused on themselves. Instead of overthinking every conversation, I started trying to stay in the moment and remind myself that it was okay not to be perfect. Even small steps, like introducing myself to new people or speaking more during group discussions, helped me slowly build confidence.

I also learned that taking care of myself physically made a huge difference in managing my anxiety. When I was stressed, I would feel my heart race and my body tense up, especially in crowded places. Exercising more, getting enough sleep, and practicing breathing techniques I learned from therapy gave me healthier ways to deal with stress and helped me feel more in control of my emotions.

Although I still get nervous sometimes , social situations no longer feel impossible. I have become more confident, open, and willing to step outside of my comfort zone. Looking back, I am proud of the progress I have made because overcoming my anxiety taught me resilience, self -awareness , and the importance of believing in myself. Managing the challenges anxiety presents helped me grow into a stronger person and prepared me to face future obstacles with more confidence.