If you’ve ever had a panic attack, or struggle with anxiety on a permanent basis, you have definitely asked yourself more than once – how to make money having anxiety. Because if you have anxiety, no matter the reason, you most probably also suffer from social anxiety, one of the key issues when trying to make a living.
You can of course get a job where you sit in an office, not talking to anyone during the day. But still there’s the commute thing. And not to forget that even though you suffer from anxiety, you’re a human being and 99.99% of us want physical and mental contact with other humans from time to time.
A little background on my own anxiety
I had my first panic attack back in 2004, after my last pregnancy and birth. I was able to hold it all together for 4 more years, while burning my candle at both ends at the same time. And on 16th October 2008, my body had had enough of me trying to override my needs. I had been trying to fix my needs for rest with increasing the number of tasks I took on. Only leading into a spiral that had only one outcome.
The wall.
I had an incident at work, which they assumed was a heart attack in my mid 30-ies. But it turned out to be a major panic attack. And as a “thank you” it left me in a deep depression and with severe anxiety.
I was in a state where I felt everyone that would see me in the store, was judging me. That they could read my thoughts. And that the world would be better off without me. Even my husband and my 3 young children.
I was in no shape to work. Some days I couldn’t get the kids to kindergarten (which would give me the possibility to rest), so we spent the day in my bed. There we were watching films and eating popcorn.
Of course, that was valuable time, and we were creating memories. But when you can’t get yourself to put clothes on your kids and yourself, there’s something wrong. After all, the walk to the kindergarten was a total of 200 meter. If I’d taken the walk, I could then had gone back to bedrest, alone.
The shift
After being in that state of mind for almost a year, something shifted inside me. I finally understood that the only person who could “save me”, was ME. I had to take the reins of my life. I could either continue on the path I’d been on, or change career. I could decrease the tasks I took upon myself. I could be doing things that lifted my spirit and built me up mentally and physically. Instead of being in that hamster wheel, leading nowhere – for me at least. Or it led me somewhere. It led me to constant anxiety, panic attacks and lack of self esteem.
How I started to make money having anxiety
In 2009 I started an online fabric shop with a family member, and we were quite innovative. We introduced something totally new in the market (in Norway). And although all of this was online, I still struggled with my anxiety and the fact that customer service is a real thing.
Through an online store, back in 2009, you weren’t able to tell your story in the way you’re able to today. Yes, there were a blog opportunity. But how to promote it, how to get your story out there, were a totally different issue.
So that blog kind of had a silent death.
While I was building my self-esteem again, I had a physical injury, that had me closing that shop. But the idea about running a business from the web, instead of face to face, continued to live.
I took several courses back then. I followed the “big guru” names on coaching and mentoring, and I learned a lot. But if I were to pursue that career, I would have to face my anxiety. You know, because visibility issues….
So I chickened out – again.
If you’ve ever done a personality test, you know what an INFP-T person are. I’m one of them.
Although I always judge myself harder than anyone else, I still bubble over of creativity. I always create something new. I never stand still – I evolve. And by doing so, wouldn’t you know? All of a sudden I had lots of printables, workbooks, editable mockups, ebooks, coloring books and so much more.
So I started selling them on Etsy and on Amazon. I created online courses and I participated in giveaways. I started building a list of clients. People who actually paid me money for my creations.
I started blogging. Business blogging. Personal blogging. Linking to different types of products. Products that I had created myself, and products I were an affiliate for. And my email list grew. People wanted my take on things.
Even though I had battled anxiety, panic attacks, depression and PTSD. Or maybe because I had those experiences. I don’t know.
But what I do know, is what it takes – mentally and actually – to build a blog. And to create it in a way that will bring you income.
Not from day one. You’ll have to wait to let search engines find you. But you can start promoting your blog FREE on Pinterest and other social media platforms on day 1. And if you’ll let me, I’ll show you how to do all of this for free.
All you need to do, is to click the image below and sign up. But you need to do it now, not continue to postpone the message or product you have to show to the world.
Please give yourself this opportunity. You deserve it. Deep down you know you do.
