Long time lurker, first time poster. Wanted to share my story today about the small step I took towards feeling better.

Just moved into a new apartment in a large building, and honestly have been in a rut ever since. 3 weeks of unpacking boxes, ordering furniture, organizing that has left me drained and not really able to try to make the effort to be social so I’ve pretty much stayed in my little bubble.

Upstairs neighbors got a unit of a subwoofer, and last night they must have been having a shindig cause it sounded like a dance club in my living room. All night, I was struggling to control my heart rate, terrified of the prospect of going upstairs to ask them to turn it down. Got maybe 3 hours of sleep because of it.

Felt terrible all day, but made myself go up and talk to them about it. Guys were super apologetic, had no idea that it was disruptive and immediately went to shut it off and move it to a different spot in the room.

Can I still hear them? I can. But I feel 10 pounds lighter because I decided to go talk to them.

A good reminder that people might not know what you’re going through unless you tell them.

I’m sure plenty of people on here struggle with anxiety a lot more than I do, and I admire all of you for being open about it, just wanted to give one more reminder to keep pushing yourself cause it can make a huge difference.