Anxiety isn’t just about panic attacks or overthinking every text. Sometimes it shows up in the strangest ways—little habits you don’t even realize are anxiety-driven until you say them out loud and someone goes, “Wait… you do that too?”
Here are 7 weird (but real) things anxiety can cause—some that even surprised me.
- You Spiral Because You Don’t Know
Uncertainty feels like danger. If I don’t know what’s coming, my brain fills in the blanks—with worst-case scenarios, of course. I’ve convinced myself someone’s mad at me just because they used a period. Anxiety loves to whisper, “What if?”—and then answer it with fear.
- You Rehearse Conversations… Over and Over
Before I send a text, I rewrite it five times. Before a phone call, I play the convo in my head like a script. Sometimes I even rehearse arguments that haven’t happened. (And probably never will.) It’s like anxiety needs control over every possible outcome.
- You Apologize… for Existing
I’ll say sorry when someone bumps into me. I apologize for asking questions, needing help, even just taking up space. Anxiety convinces you you’re a burden, even when people are happy to help.
- You Avoid Good News (???)
Weird, right? But sometimes, even good things make me anxious. Promotions, compliments, sudden free time—it all makes me uneasy. Like I’m waiting for the catch. Or the fall.
- You Feel Physically Sick with No Clear Reason
Headaches. Stomachaches. Nausea. Dizziness. When anxiety builds up in the body, it has to go somewhere. It’s not “in your head”—your body genuinely reacts. And yeah, it sucks.
- You Rethink a 3-Second Interaction for 3 Days
That weird laugh I did. That awkward goodbye. That time I said “you too” when the waiter said, “Enjoy your food.” It replays like a blooper reel in my brain. Anxiety makes the tiniest things feel huge.
- You Get Paranoid… About the Calm
Sometimes things are fine, and that’s what freaks me out most. I’ll literally get anxious that I’m not anxious. Like, “What am I forgetting? What’s about to go wrong?” Calm can feel suspicious when you’re used to chaos.
Final Thoughts
Anxiety is sneaky—and weirdly creative. It shows up in ways that can make you feel alone or even a little “crazy.” But you’re not. If you saw yourself in any of these, know you’re not broken. You’re just human—with a sensitive nervous system trying to protect you (a little too aggressively).
✨ What’s one “weird” thing anxiety makes you do? Drop it in the comments or DM me @shopabbyscreativeescape—I’d love to hear and connect. You’re not alone. 💛
