How To Stop Freaking Out!

How to stop freaking out— and start enjoying all the awesome things that are coming your way. (Seriously.)

- Katie Abbondanza

WOO HOO! Whether you landed the lead, made the team or finally got the guy, it’s time to do a little celebration dance. So why is your brain freaking out, filling up with a hundred reasons it could all go wrong?

Or worse, whispering to you that, hey, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea in the first place?

Turns out, lots of girls have a tiny voice in their heads that nags at them with negative thoughts each and every time they succeed. It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s totally common—and it’s keeping you from reaching your biggest goals.

Luckily, we talked to the pros about how you can silence that inner naysayer, boost your confidence and blaze ahead with all the incredible things coming your way in 2018…

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR AMAZING AWESOMENESS.

Whether we earn opportunities or they seemingly fall into our laps, it’s easy to start thinking right away about everything that could go haywire. It’s kind of like skipping over your own standing ovation and going right to the traffic jam after the show.

Take Callie S., 16, who was super into Girl Scouts and had the chance to earn her Bronze Award a few years back. “It would’ve highlighted my great leadership skills and given me a chance to work in my community,” she shares.

But the second she started thinking about picking a project, she got overwhelmed. “Instead, I quit Girl Scouts. I didn’t think I’d have any time between school, sports and hanging out with friends.” Years later, she still thinks about the doors she shut by not going after the honor.

Before you let your mind trot down that road of uncertainty, take a minute to really give yourself a mental high five for all you’ve achieved.