Hello readers, my name is Liza D, and I struggle with anxiety.
Wait—let’s try this another way.
Hello readers, my name is Liza D, and my superpower is my anxiety.
Gosh, that feels better. That sounds better—and it even comes with a red cape!
This year, I turned 56. For my generation and those before me, no one talked about anxiety or depression. So here I am, making up for lost time!
I worried constantly as a kid—about everything. From the age of seven, I’d make my mother call me from wherever she was to let me know she was safe.
In my teens, I developed “FO,” or Fear Of… Well, everything.
When I started my own business, the loans, credit lines, and credit cards filled me with anxiety. But that anxiety sharpened my sense of urgency—a skill that served me well.
By age 33, I was miserable. I was depressed, anxious, and completely unsure of why I was doing what I was doing. On the outside, things looked great, but then—bang! A major anxiety attack left me sleepless for three nights straight. Exhausted and unable to make decisions, I found myself lying on the floor between my coffee table and the couch—a makeshift womb or, depending on my mood, a coffin.
Out of sheer frustration, I sold everything and moved to New York. I knew no one, had no work visa, and had zero connections to help me figure it all out.
The best part about New York? Anxiety isn’t a burden; it’s a prerequisite.
I was home.
The Law of Polarity
Looking back, anxiety has always been my superpower.
When I started my first business, I had debt. I ran my small studio, and to pay off my $25,000 loan faster, I picked up side gigs doing wardrobe for film and commercials. Within a year, I was debt-free. Thank you, anxiety.
At 33, I moved to New York City, knowing no one and with enough money to last just six months. My plan was simple, if backward: get a job, then a visa. And it worked. I built a consulting career in NYC that became the foundation for The Cut Design Academy. Thank you again, anxiety!
Anxiety pushes us to find solutions. It may even be the reason we’re in difficult situations in the first place, but so what? Getting out of your comfort zone takes guts, a little love, and a touch of craziness. Don’t misunderstand me—I know what it’s like to be in the eye of the storm, caught in a mental tornado of rapid-fire thoughts. It’s paralyzing. You can either stay on the floor between the couch and coffee table or… try something different. Take a deep breath, and give the Law of Polarity a try.
Applying the Law of Polarity
The Law of Polarity encourages you to think the opposite thought.
Example 1: An entrepreneur might think, “What if I don’t sell my products this month? How will I pay my rent?” This only fuels anxiety.
Now flip it on its head: “When I sell all my products this month, how will I feel?” Feel the ease of that thought instead.
Example 2: I used to think, “What if I don’t get the job? What if I’m not good enough? What if I messed up the interview?”
But now, I turn it around: “I’m grateful for the opportunity to interview for my dream job. I’m excited to bring value to a company I respect.”
It might sound a little fluffy, but here’s the thing: you’re going to think something—why not choose the version that helps you? Even if it’s just for a minute.
We’ve mastered anxiety—A+ for us! Time to move on.
Everything Has Its Opposite
Every coin has two sides. Day has night. Red has green. And even our thoughts have opposites. Recognizing this brings a release, a relief—a lifeline.
Try it for a minute. Next time, try for two. Practice every day, one minute at a time. Soon, when anxiety kicks in, your habit will be to flip it around and feel its opposite. The magic lies in the practice.
Ways to Make Anxiety Work for You: Get Your Cape and Let’s Go!
- Start a Side Hustle: When I was starting out, I loved film and TV. I opened a small design studio but had no clients and was in debt. Anxiety gave me the drive to call every production company in the city to land any job that could bring in income. Thanks to that, I paid off my $25,000 debt in one year.
- Take an Evening Course in a New Skill: Art, in any form, can be meditative and soothing. And it might even turn into a side hustle! For instance, at our academy, we offer a 26-week Makeup Artistry Certificate program that’s both fun and creative. It’s a great way to get certified as a makeup artist, a skill you can use for weddings or film and TV gigs. Nail or brow technician courses are also great options that are both enjoyable and lucrative, not to mention a way to meet new people.
- Practice a Mental Diet: Music has a proven impact on our mood. Feeling anxious? Try classical music. Feeling down? Play something upbeat. As Plato said, “Music is a moral law. It gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, charm to sadness, gaiety and life to everything.”
Now, put on your cape, and I’ll see you on the flip side. —Liza D, founder and dean of The Cut Design Academy
share:
Be the first to comment