Anxiety or Excitement? Mastering Your Mind’s Balancing Act

SHOW NOTES:

On this show…we’re cracking open the psychology of emotions, specifically the fine line between anxiety and excitement. Have you ever found yourself on the edge of a thrilling adventure, heart racing, palms sweaty, only to wonder: “Am I anxious or just excited?” If so, you’re not alone. Anxiety and excitement are emotional doppelgängers, mirroring each other in physical symptoms—rapid heartbeat, fluttering stomach, and that all-too-familiar rush of adrenaline. But here’s the twist: our mind plays the role of narrator, deciding whether this moment is a threat to be feared or an opportunity to be embraced. And once we slap a label on it, we start acting accordingly. Anxiety gets thrown around far too often, and when we’re quick to diagnose every feeling of nervous energy as anxiety, we inadvertently give it more power than it deserves. 

But what if, instead, we took a step back and questioned whether we’re actually afraid… or just excited? By shifting the way we interpret our body’s signals, we can reframe anxious energy into something productive—enthusiasm, motivation, even joy! We’ll explore how this mindset shift works, test out ways to tell the difference and dive into strategies to regain control over our thoughts. If you’ve ever mistaken nerves for negativity or let anxiety hold you back, this episode will help you take back the reins. So, deep breath—let’s go!

Anxiety and excitement are like two sides of the same coin. Physiologically, both can make your heart race, palms sweat, and mind buzz. The key difference? It’s all about perception. Anxiety often stems from anticipating a negative outcome, while excitement is rooted in positive expectations. Recognizing this distinction is the first step in mastering our emotional responses.

right now.

Mind Flip Challenge:

1. Think back to a moment when you felt nervous energy. Maybe it was before a speech, a first date, or a big change.
2. Replay the scene in your mind—what was your body doing? Heart racing? Hands tingling?
3. Now, flip the script. Instead of saying, “I was so anxious,” say, “I was actually really excited.” Feel the difference?
4. Take it a step further: When you experience those same feelings in the future, try saying out loud, “I’m excited!”—even if you don’t fully believe it at first. You’re rewiring your brain, one phrase at a time.

Dr. Yanet Vanegas details Transforming Anxiety: How to Turn Worry Into Success - Harness the power of anxiety to fuel your motivation and achieve your goals. Found at Psychology Today

Megan Anna Neff declares Feelings Are Not Facts: How to Identify Experience from Reality found at Neurodivergent Insights

Olga Khazan from the Atlantic’s YouTube channel: How to Turn Anxiety Into Excitement

CHALLENGE: Next time anxiety knocks, greet it with excitement. Embrace the energy and let it propel you forward. Instead of fearing the moment, step into it with confidence, knowing that you have the power to shape your own experience.

I Know YOU Can Do It!