That Tuesday morning is still fresh in my mind. I was trembling as I looked at my laptop screen, and my heart was beating so loudly that I couldn’t hear the people in the office talking. I felt sick all of a sudden, a common symptom of workplace anxiety. My throat was tight, and for a time, I couldn’t breathe.
For months, I had been feeling anxious about work, but that day, it almost took over my entire life.
This tale is for you if you’ve ever felt like you were about to fall apart because you missed a deadline. I’m not a life coach or a therapist. I’m simply a person who has gone through it, made it through, and learned a few things along the way.
How It Feels to Have Workplace Anxiety
Workplace anxiety is more than simply stress. It’s the nagging apprehension before a meeting, the dread of reading emails, and the continual concern that you’re not good enough.
For me, it began with small issues, such as difficulty sleeping before presentations and experiencing an upset stomach on Sunday nights.
Then it got worse.
One day, my boss asked me to come to his office. My thoughts raced: Did I make a mistake? Am I going to lose my job? He only wanted to discuss the project’s schedule, it turns out. However, my body responded as if it were a life-threatening situation.
I was undergoing a severe panic attack at work. My chest became tight, and my eyesight got blurry.
At that point, I knew: This isn’t regular tension. This is work-related worry that is ruining my life.
The Point of No Return: My Story – Workplace Anxiety
I’ve always done well in school. I consistently achieved good grades, received promotions, and continually accepted more work. But last year, the stress became too much to handle.
After two meetings in a row, I shut myself in the office restroom one night and wept. I didn’t shed a few silent tears, but instead, I let out sharp, gasping cries. I felt worn out, stressed, and, most importantly, humiliated. Why can’t I deal with this? Everyone else looks lovely.
But here’s the truth: I wasn’t alone myself.
A poll from 2023 indicated that 74% of workers had felt anxious at work at some time. But we seldom ever speak about it. We come, grin through the tension, and act like everything is OK until it isn’t.
How I Started to Get Better (Step by Step)
1. Admitting that I needed help – Workplace Anxiety
What was the toughest part? Accepting that I couldn’t “just push through.” I told a close friend about my problems, and they remarked, “Shubhangi, you’re not weak.” You are a person.
That single confirmation made everything different.
2. Setting Limits (Without Feeling Bad) – Workplace Anxiety
I used to answer emails at midnight, do things at the last minute, and miss lunch to get tasks done on time. Not anymore. I began to speak:
“I need more time to do this right.”
“I can’t do this right now.”
What do you think? Nothing catastrophic occurred. My boss appreciated my honesty.
3. The Strength of Little Victories—Victories—Workplace Anxiety
I didn’t worry about being flawless; instead, I welcomed little wins:
Sending a draft without spending hours tweaking it excessively was a significant victory.
I managed to take a complete lunch break without checking Slack.
These little victories gave me back my confidence.
4. Therapy and taking care of yourself “No, It’s Not Just Yoga”
I began therapy, which helped me let go of years of “I have to prove myself” thoughts. I also learned that taking care of yourself isn’t only taking bubble baths. It’s
Please disable alerts after 7 PM.
Instead of eating at my desk, I went outdoors.
You’re Not Alone: Real Stories—Workplace Anxiety
Rohan, whose identity has been altered, works at a renowned tech company. He was so anxious about work that he threw up before a conversation with a customer. Later, he recognized that his concern wasn’t about the work; it was about his childhood dread of “failing.” Therapy helped him figure out the difference between the two.
Priya is a teacher who suffered panic episodes in her automobile before class. She began keeping a notebook and wrote down her concerns every day. The worry slowly let go.
These kinds of tales are common. We simply don’t speak about them enough, although they’re all around us.
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Sooner
Anxiety does not equal failure.
Your value isn’t based on how much you do.
Not talking worsens it.
When you talk about anxiety at work, it loses its force.
Little Changes Add Up
You don’t need a big remedy. Take one little step first.
Final Thoughts: It’s OK to not be fine
If you’ve read this and found yourself in a similar situation, I want you to know that you’re not alone. It’s true that work might make you anxious, but you don’t have to let it.
For me, the process of healing was not linear. Some days were still tough. But now, when that same fear comes over me, I stop. I take a breath. And I tell myself, “I’ve been through this stage of life before.” I can do it again.
You can too.
Have you ever felt anxious at work? Let’s break the silence together by sharing your tale in the comments.
