The expectations we project onto the world are rarely met, yet we’re constantly surprised and disappointed that events don’t unfold according to our plans. We expect others to treat us a certain way...

You are not your feelings.People wrongly identify with their feelings. They feel anxious, so they tell themselves a story, ‘I’m anxious, I have anxiety.’

The mind is an excellent servant, but a terrible master. This was David Foster Wallace’s message to the class of 2005 at Kenyon College in his now famous speech, “This is Water.”

So much of our anxiety stems from wanting something we’re making no effort towards achieving. We want a six pack, but we had donuts for breakfast. We want to be a writer, but we don’t write.

It’s important to watch how we talk to ourselves, but more important is the awareness that you’re always talking to yourself.