Anxiety Isn’t Your Biggest Problem… THIS Is | Ep. 519

In this episode, I talk about one of the most important skills for anxiety recovery: non-judgment. While anxiety can be incredibly uncomfortable and disruptive, I explain that the way we respond to anxiety can actually make our suffering worse. When we constantly label our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations as bad, terrible, or something that shouldn’t be happening, we add another layer of distress to an already difficult experience. Instead, I encourage you to practice seeing anxiety and discomfort as neither good nor bad, but simply as experiences you’re having.

I also share a simple mindfulness exercise that has made a huge difference in my own life. First, spend 24 hours noticing how often you judge your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Then, for three days, practice replacing those judgments with just three descriptions: comfortable, uncomfortable, or neutral. This small shift can help you recognize how much extra suffering comes from the stories we tell ourselves about what we’re experiencing, rather than the experience itself.

Most importantly, I remind you that non-judgment doesn’t mean you have to like anxiety or pretend that difficult experiences feel good. It means learning to notice discomfort without adding criticism, resistance, or fear on top of it. This takes practice, and you won’t get it right every time. But even small improvements in how you respond to anxiety can help you suffer less and create more room for joy, connection, and the things that matter most to you.