Anxiety used to be my unwelcome sidekick, but I kicked it to the curb and found a whole new rhythm to life. In this blog, I’ll keep it short and sweet. Here’s how I jammed my way to less anxiety and more joy:

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1. Embracing Play: 

I learned about the profound impact of play on our brains, and how we are built to play and built through play. Understanding its importance and how it sparks our energy and liveliness, I made it a priority to carve out time for play in my life. Whether it’s a game with friends, a spontaneous adventure, painting, turning a cooking session into artistic expression, or simply indulging in a hobby, playing and the playful mindset became my antidotes to anxiety.

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2. Creative Expression: 

When my mind is on overload, I turn to creativity to hit the reset button. Painting, snapping photos, or getting my hands dirty with pottery—these artistic outlets helped, and help, me shake off the anxiety funk and find my flow.

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I sometimes use podcasting as well to hash out my thoughts and speak my mind (currently only available in Dutch). What I dig about podcasting is how it pushes me to really get into a topic, organize my thoughts, and find some (creative) solutions 💭

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3. Saying Ciao to Booze and Brew (Caffeine): 

Cutting out alcohol and switching to decaf coffee might sound like a buzzkill, but it was a game-changer for my anxiety levels. I was genuinely surprised and super happy to see how caffeine affected my nervous system—the solution was much easier than I expected. Altering my diet choices was clearly more manageable than dealing with factors beyond my control. Once I ditched my regular coffee, my anxiety took a nosedive. Who would've thought that a simple sip could have such a huge impact on my mental state? I highly recommend trying it out!

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Oh, and just to clarify, I haven't sworn off alcohol entirely; I still indulge in a glass of wine occasionally, but I no longer overindulge :)

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4. Facing Fear Head-On: 

Instead of ducking and dodging my fears, I decided to stare them down. Accepting the inevitable (hello, death) was a real eye-opener. While I may never be entirely comfortable with it, I’ve truly experienced that the only way to overcome fear is to delve into it, to sit with it, and to ultimately find peace in its presence.

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5. Prioritizing Movement: 

I redefined my approach to exercise, making sure it felt like play. Beach walks, pilates, or challenging myself to new feats—movement is now my happy pill. I’ve also made it a non-negotiable to take at least 8000 steps every day 💪

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6. Cutting Out All The Toxic: 

From cutting out the news to only surrounding myself with people who radiate positivity, without being dismissive of life’s challenges, has helped me climb out of the anxious rabbit hole. I’ve been quite rigid in this; I don’t hang out with people anymore who give off shitty vibes and don’t see the beauty of life.

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7. The Art of Observing the Mind

I’ve always been drawn to experiences over material possessions. I'm not saying I don't enjoy material things, but to me, life is all about exploration and adventure. Whenever boredom threatens to creep in, and I feel anxious because of feeling stuck, I embrace it as a sign to seek out new experiences or learn something new. I once had a therapist who advised me to learn to sit with boredom and, perhaps, embrace a more tranquil life for more peace of mind - but no thanks, I’m on this earth to experience stuff, and I'd rather learn to quiet the mind in the midst of 'chaos' than eliminate all chaos. So that's what I've been practicing on a daily basis: learning to observe the mind and get back into the seat of consciousness. And that practice has really helped in building resilience and becoming less anxious. It keeps you more centered, while also being open to everything life has to offer.

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The methods mentioned above were instrumental in helping me overcome anxiety, or at least significantly reduce it. Right now, I genuinely feel like a relaxed gyal 🙃. However, that doesn't mean I'll never feel fear again; it’s a normal human emotion. I also know I'll need to continue incorporating these practices to maintain this sense of calmness.

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If you're reading this because you feel trapped in anxiety's grip, keep this in mind: Breaking free might not be a walk in the park, but you definitely have the power to do it. Take a holistic approach—think about your diet, exercise, optimize your surroundings, and create more space for the things that simply make you feel good. Don't buy into the idea that 'I'm just an anxious person; it's how I was born.' Reject that notion. You have the ability to change the course of your life and define who you are.

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Reconnect with Your Playful & Creative Self

Now, I’d never claim that The Foundation will help you to get rid of anxiety, it’s way too complex and personal for that, but I do believe that learning how to reconnect with your playful & creative self can be life-changing.

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Based on my own journey, I believe that a big chunk of feeling like you're thriving in life and work (or business) is all about strengthening your intuition, facing your fears, building personal resilience, and reconnecting with your playful and creative self. Besides that, you need methods that keep you away from procrastination and invite you to start doing (living!) and experimenting.

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The Foundation helps you with exactly that. For 28 days, you'll receive a new challenge or insightful read that helps you be more creative, playful, and light-hearted.

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The program emphasizes action over overthinking, rediscovering when you naturally thrive while also trying out many new things, and creating space for more joy and depth in your life, whether it's at work or elsewhere.

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Although it's recommended to complete the challenges within one month to stay in the playful flow, you can go through the program at your own speed. There's no pressure, and everything's customizable. Plus, you'll gain access to the online community where you can talk to others and get support.

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I’m excited to welcome you,

Stefanie

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