How to Escape the Custard Trap of Anxiety

TLDRAnxiety can feel like walking on custard, constantly struggling and afraid. To live less anxiously, we need to understand our custard traps, which are unhelpful mental habits that reinforce anxiety. These traps are invisible, self-reinforcing, and habitual. By practicing self-observation, replacing negative habits with positive actions, and laying a foundation of solid ground, we can spend more time at peace.

Key insights

😨Fear normally pops up when we're doing something scary, but anxiety is when our fear response gets out of control.

😫Anxiety protects itself by tiring us out and leaves very little energy to deal with the root of the problem.

🔄Custard traps are habits that are difficult to escape in the moment, but we can replace them by learning what triggers them and choosing positive actions.

📉Overcoming anxiety is a process that can be tough in the beginning, but with self-observation and practice, we can spend more time at peace.

🌅While we may not completely eliminate anxiety, we can learn to manage it and spend more time on solid ground.

Q&A

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is when the fear response gets out of control, leading to excessive and disproportionate feelings of fear and worry.

How can I overcome anxiety?

To overcome anxiety, it is important to practice self-observation, understand your custard traps (unhelpful mental habits), replace negative habits with positive actions, and seek support or therapy if needed.

Are custard traps the only cause of anxiety?

No, anxiety can have multiple causes including biological factors, past experiences, and situational triggers. Custard traps are just one aspect of anxiety that we can work on managing.

Is it possible to completely eliminate anxiety?

While it may not be possible to completely eliminate anxiety, it is possible to learn strategies to manage and reduce its impact on your daily life.

Can self-observation really help with anxiety?

Yes, self-observation helps to bring awareness to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, allowing you to identify and address patterns that contribute to anxiety.

Timestamped Summary

00:10Fear pops up when doing something scary, but anxiety is when fear response gets out of control.

01:09Anxiety can be overwhelming and lead to a constant state of worry and fear.

04:48Custard represents the feeling of being stuck in anxiety, unable to escape or find solid ground.

09:59Custard traps are unhelpful mental habits that reinforce anxiety and can keep us trapped in a cycle of fear and worry.

12:26Overcoming anxiety is a long-term process that requires self-observation, breaking negative habits, and replacing them with positive actions.