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Please note that this article discusses anxiety as a common emotion experienced by many individuals in daily life. It is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis for anxiety disorders. If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety that significantly impact your daily functioning, we recommend seeking guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

I just finished Tracy Dennis-Tiwary's thought-provoking book, "Future Tense – why anxiety is good for you (even though it feels bad)," and it truly left an indelible mark on me. Rarely does a book captivate me to the point where I can't put it down, especially when I'm traveling, an activity that tends to stir up some anxiety for me. However, armed with a newfound perspective, the read was not only enjoyable but also reinforced my approach to emotions as valuable messages guiding us for action.

Within the book, there's a treasure trove of topics to explore, and today, the one I'm eager to unpack is the co-existence of anxiety and hope. Picture this: Chapter 3 kicks off with a family vacation to the Rubin Museum of Art, featuring A Monument for the Anxious and Hopeful, adorned with an inscription – “anxiety and hope are defined by a moment that has yet to arrive.” The monument is in a room with a wall divided by two colors, inviting visitors to write out two messages – of hope and anxiety. Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary's son notices the striking similarities in what people jot down. For instance, "I’m anxious because I have a job interview" on one side and other side there is a note, "I am hopeful because I have a job interview." It's an intricate tango between anxiety and hope.

Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary lays it out, stating, “… anxiety and hope make us into mental time travelers, heading straight into the future.” Now, us humans, are a quirky bunch compared to other critters. We're the ones capable of thinking up ideas like submarines and space rockets. We get to ponder (sometimes nervously) about tomorrow. Most mammals? They're firmly planted in the present – tomorrow isn't on their radar. I had this epiphany when I had to decide on my cat Luna's fate. I was worried that Luna had more time to live but truth be told – Luna wasn't sketching out a tomorrow.

But ponder this –  humans are so unique that we can paint a picture of our future. We can layer it with intricate details and colors, originating from our anxiety and hope. I recall my early days as a cub scout (yeah, I sneakily attended my brother’s meetings), learning the mantra: “plan for the best, prepare for the worst.” Essentially, we hope for the best and use anxiety to help be prepared for the worst. Sometimes I can over indulge the planning bit but I am learning more and more about what my anxiety is seeking – security.

When life throws something new or big our way – be it a new role, a fresh romance, or a high-stakes, long-term project – anxiety and hope tag along for the ride, hand in hand, because the future is uncertain. Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary nails it with, “the problem isn’t anxiety; the problem is that our beliefs about anxiety stop us from believing we can manage it and even use it to our advantage.” How true is this for you? When did you last let anxiety snatch away an opportunity?

Let's run with what Dr. Tracy Dennis-Tiwary dishes out – let's turn anxiety into an ally. Flashback to a few years ago when my husband and I took the plunge, relocating from the USA to Denmark. It was an intense mix of hope and anxiety, envisioning an extraordinary chapter of living and exploring abroad, soaking up Danish and Nordic culture. Terrified? Absolutely. Anxious? You bet. We didn't know a soul in Denmark, didn’t speak Danish, and this crazy adventure was uncharted territory. So, I put my anxiety to work – drafted lists, crafted a project plan for the entire move, ran through scenarios about selling our house, what to pack, what to donate, what’s gluten and dairy-free in Danish so I don’t immediately end up sick, squeezing in time with friends and family before the move – all while juggling work. Stress reached its zenith, and my anxiety, for the most part (because, none of us are perfect), focused on what’s the problem and what are the possible solutions gave me hope. It filled in the painting with colorful details. Hope is where we are going, and anxiety helps in how we navigate there.

We can ride the waves of uncertainty versus allowing them to swallow us. We can use hope, our vision of a better tomorrow, to ground our anxiety. There is no problem too big that cannot be solved in small steps.

Released April 2024