A Black Girl Wrote This

Anxiety doesn’t always look like panic attacks or spiraling thoughts. Sometimes, it hides behind procrastination, people-pleasing, and exhaustion you can’t explain. This post breaks down 15 quiet, everyday ways anxiety shows up—especially when people mistake it for laziness. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What’s wrong with me?”—this is for you.

It May Not Be Laziness—It’s Actually Anxiety

1. You feel paralyzed by small tasks.
   Even washing dishes or answering a text feels like climbing a mountain.
2. You overthink everything.
   Every decision spirals into a hundred possible outcomes—most of them worst-case scenarios.
3. You procrastinate even when you care deeply.
   It’s not that you don’t want to do it—you just can’t start.
4. You replay conversations in your head nonstop.
   “Did I say the wrong thing? Did I sound weird? Did I overshare again?”
5. You cancel plans last minute—then feel guilty about it.
   The idea of going out felt safe when you agreed. But now? It’s overwhelming.
6. You need constant reassurance—but feel bad asking for it.
   You crave clarity but hate feeling like a burden.
7. You struggle to rest—even when you’re exhausted.
   Your body is tired, but your mind won’t shut up.
8. You assume the worst when someone doesn’t reply.
   They’re probably mad at you, right? Or worse.
9. You zone out in conversations because your brain is racing.
   You’re trying to stay present, but you’re stuck in your head.
10. You avoid certain emails, calls, or to-do lists out of fear.
    You’d rather ghost than face the potential stress.
11. You feel physically sick when stressed.
    Headaches. Stomach issues. Fatigue. It’s not just “in your head.”
12. You second-guess compliments and kind words.
    You want to believe them—but anxiety says, “they’re just being nice.”
13. You feel overwhelmed by clutter—but too anxious to start cleaning.
    Your space reflects your inner state—and both feel out of control.
14. You mask it with humor, perfectionism, or people-pleasing.
    Because showing your actual struggle feels unsafe.
15. You constantly ask yourself, “What’s wrong with me?”
    When the truth is: nothing’s wrong with you. You’re just navigating something real and invisible.

Reminder: Anxiety is not a flaw. It’s a signal. And you don’t have to keep ignoring what your body and mind are trying to tell you. You’re not lazy. You’re carrying more than people can see. 🤎

Ready to go deeper?

I broke it all down in my latest post on anxiety—what it is, how it moves, and what healing can actually look like.
👉🏾 Click here to read: Anxiety Is Your Biggest Hater. 🤎