I have been battling anxiety since early childhood. As a result, parts of my life have been extremely difficult – especially as a young child. It was incredibly difficult for me to speak to anyone or even leave my house. I always felt I was underneath a magnifying glass and the entire world was watching me fail. Because I grew up with this overwhelming sense of anxiety, it became almost impossible for me to distinguish the anxiety from myself. As a teenager, I was afraid to seek treatment because I worried “curing” my anxiety would kill off a part of who I am. However, as an adult, I can see I am more than my anxiety. The positive parts of my personality are not reliant on my mental illness and I can live a fulfilling life while seeking treatment. Part of this fulfilling life has been the privilege to work with children. Shortly after my high school graduation, I became an assistant kindergarten teacher. I quickly learned I was far from the only child who had to deal with anxiety. It was heartbreaking to see so many children dealing with the same issues I had during my youth. However, I was in a unique position to help guide them through it. Because of my past, I was able to connect with these students and help them find strategies to deal with their anxiety. Whether it was breathing exercises, sitting in a rocking chair, or viewing our terrariums and fish tanks we built as a class; we were able to find something that worked for everyone. I was also able to reassure them that it is ok to feel this way, and it is ok to be overwhelmed. The important thing is to keep moving forward and getting help when you need it. I hope to continue to help children understand and manage their anxiety throughout my life, whether I am working in a classroom or not.