CH
	
APTER	TEN
Putting	the	Tools	to	Work
Whether	you’ve	struggled	with	anxiety	all	of	your	life,	or	if	this	is
your	first	time,	you’ve	likely	had	hopeless	moments	along	the	way.
Your	anxious	thinking	may	make	you	doubt	your	ability	to	progress.
It’s	no	wonder	you	feel	this	way,	because	anxiety	can	become	like	a
part	of	your	identity,	or	a	shadow	you	simply	can’t	shake.	Here	are
ways	to	take	the	strategies	you’re	reading	about	and	form	longer-
term	habits	that	will	lead	you	away	from	hopeless	thinking	and
toward	the	satisfying	life	you	want	and	deserve.
From
	
Strategies	to	Habits
If	you	continue	to	cultivate	your	skills	for	finding	ease	and	calm	when	anxiety
is	triggered,	eventually	your	anxiety	patterns	will	begin	to	break,	and	in	the
spaces	that	open	up	you	can	cultivate	new	habits	of	thinking	and	responding.
It’s	important	to	remember	that	changing	the	brain’s	wiring	takes	time	and
consistent	practice.	It’s	just	when	we	think	we	can’t	take	it	anymore	and	want
to	give	up	that	we	make	our	biggest	gains.	Eventually,	for	longer	and	longer
periods	of	time,	you’ll	forget	that	you’re	practicing	healthy	coping.	Instead,
you’ll	enjoy	the	breeze	on	your	face	and	the	experience	of	living	in	this	life
now.