Why Anxiety Happens: A Deeper Look Into Your Inner Experience

We've all encountered some form of anxiety—whether it's day-to-day or every now and then—but it’s still one of the most misunderstood emotional experiences.

In this blog, we’re going to explore anxiety not as a green-eyed monster that suddenly appears out of nowhere, but as a process—something we do internally.

When we understand the steps that build anxiety from the inside out, it becomes easier to loosen its grip and begin releasing it. Let’s walk through the internal process of anxiety the same way we would break down any psychological pattern—step by step, and with plenty of compassion.

How Anxiety Actually Starts

We often think of anxiety as something that “just happens.” But in reality, there’s a structure to it. If we slow it down, here’s what we’ll find:

1. The Trigger: A Thought Appears 

It usually starts with a thought. And not just any thought—one that carries some level of perceived danger or uncertainty.

Something like:

• “What if they don’t like me?”

• “What if I mess this up?”

• “Something’s not right…”

It may be small at first, but this is where the anxiety begins.

2. The Thought Gains Energy: Overthinking Begins 

Rather than observe the thought, we start engaging with it.

 We analyse it. We argue with it. We spiral into worst-case scenarios.

This is where overthinking kicks in. The mind becomes a busy, noisy space that feels hard to step out of. What was once a passing thought becomes a loop.

3. The Body Responds: Symptoms Kick In

Here’s where it gets physical.

Your nervous system can’t tell the difference between a real external threat and an internal imagined one. So, in response to the thought spiral, your body reacts as if something dangerous is happening right now.

This might feel like:

• A tight chest

• Racing heart

• Shallow breathing

• Stomach discomfort

• Restlessness

Now, it’s not just a thought—it’s a full-body experience.

4. You Feel Stuck: The Cycle Completes

At this point, the stickman (you!) is frozen.

You’re caught in a loop:

• Thought → Spiral → Body response → More panic thoughts.

You feel trapped in your own mind and body. And often, this is the moment where people say, “I don’t know why I feel this way—but I can’t snap out of it.”

So, What Can You Do?

The power lies in becoming aware of the structure of anxiety. Once you can see how it builds, you have more choice in how to respond.

Start here:

1. Notice the thought when it appears.

2. Name it. “Ah, here’s the fear of not being good enough again.”

3. Pause and breathe. Let the thought exist without needing to solve it.

4. Reconnect to your body—slow your breath, move gently, or ground your feet.

The more you practice witnessing rather than fusing with the thought, the less control it will have over you.

My Personal Reflection

In my experience, I’ve found that when a thought arises—and they always do—if I don’t question it and simply believe it, it can easily hijack my focus. Depending on how intense it is, I can get pulled into it and lose track of what I was originally thinking or doing. The more I fuse with the thought, the harder it becomes to return to clarity and focus on what truly matters.

Final Thoughts

Anxiety is not a flaw. It’s a system that’s been switched on, often from years of habit or past experiences. But like any system, once you understand how it works, you can begin to rewire it.

In future posts, I’ll be sharing practical tools to help you stop overthinking, calm your nervous system, and build emotional resilience—so anxiety doesn’t run the show anymore.

For now, reflect on this:

What thought do you keep believing that may not be true?

And how would it feel to just let it pass through, like a cloud in the sky?

You’re not broken. You’re learning. And that’s a powerful place to be.