Anxiety: The Unwelcome Party Guest Metaphor

Imagine that anxiety like an uninvited guest at a party. Imagine you’re hosting a party, and this guest arrives, making you uncomfortable, criticising everything, and generally ruining the vibe. Naturally, you might want to ignore them, argue with them, or try to kick them out, but no matter what you do, they stick around, making it harder for you to enjoy the party and interact with your other guests.

Instead of fighting the unwelcome houseguest, you try a different approach: allow the guest to be there without letting them take over your life. You acknowledge their presence, but you don’t let them stop you from living your life or doing what matters to you. By accepting the guest’s presence, you reduce their power over you, and they may eventually become less bothersome.

While you can’t always control or eliminate anxiety, you can choose how to respond to it, focusing on your values and actions instead of being consumed by the struggle.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is available from our Geelong Psychologist. Contact us for more details or to make a referral.