When anxiety shows up, our instinct is to fight it—push it away, suppress it, or distract ourselves. But what if the struggle to control anxiety is actually what keeps us stuck?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) offers a different approach: instead of trying to eliminate anxiety, we make room for it. We recognize that anxiety is part of being human, and the more we resist it, the stronger it often becomes.

Think of anxiety like quicksand—the more you struggle, the deeper you sink. But if you stop fighting and lean into it, you create the space to move forward.

What if, instead of controlling anxiety, we focused on what truly matters—our values, our actions, and the kind of life we want to live? When we do that, anxiety loses its grip, and we gain the freedom to engage fully with life.

How do you respond when anxiety shows up? Let’s start a conversation.

Sean Tobin   MSW, RSW

Steady Harbour Counselling 

sean@steadyharbour.ca