Being stuck feels exhausting.

You know what you want. You see the next step. And somehow, you still end up doing nothing. Not because you are lazy. Not because you lack motivation. But because your brain learned a pattern that once kept you safe.

In this episode, we name that pattern. The anxiety loop that keeps you frozen, second-guessing, and returning to the same familiar place even when you want change.

This is part two of our fear conversation. It goes deeper into why avoidance feels relieving, why relief keeps anxiety in control, and how small, intentional shifts help you move forward without forcing yourself to become someone you are not.

In this episode, you’ll learn…
• What an anxiety loop is and why your brain repeats it
• How threat bias shapes overthinking and keeps fear loud
• Why relief reinforces avoidance and strengthens anxiety over time
• How balanced thinking interrupts fear without forcing positivity
• Why anxiety protects an old identity and resists change
• How lowering friction helps you take action without overwhelm
• Why small wins build confidence more effectively than big leaps

This episode is for you if you feel stuck between wanting more and fearing what it might cost. It matters now because anxiety thrives on repetition, and awareness creates your first opening for change.

Alex Hormozi and Jay Shetty Interview
https://youtu.be/gEF67-G9MO0?si=-4WUN7dl04RiwGAf

Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

RESOURCES:
Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming!

📱 Follow Us:

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🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health

This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients.

Links:
Anxiety Survival Toolkit:
https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/

Davis-Smith Mental Health:
https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/

⚠️ Disclaimer: Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate assistance, please contact emergency services or a trusted mental health professional immediately.

If you have ever felt stuck in your own life, knowing exactly what you want but freezing the moment fear shows up, this episode is for you. Anxiety convinces you that staying still is safer, but waiting only keeps you trapped in self-doubt. It stops you from applying for the job, trying something new, or going after what you want. Fear feels massive when you avoid it, and this episode will show you how to change that.

In this episode, Jessica Davis, licensed therapist and creator of the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method, explains why anxious teens and young adults stay stuck and how fear quietly takes over your decisions. You will learn how vague fear grows, how to identify the voice you are afraid of, and why judgment shows up whether you act or stay silent. You will also learn how to take one small step forward even when your hands are shaking.

Resource mentioned:
I was inspired by an interview where Jay Shetty talks with Alex Hormozi about fear and why people stay stuck. You can watch the full interview here.

✨ In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why fear grows when you avoid it
• How vague fears turn into overwhelming stories
• Why naming your fear makes it smaller
• How other people's opinions shape your confidence
• Why judgment happens whether you act or stay silent
• How to stop letting fear delay the life you want
• What to do when anxiety freezes you
• How to take your first step toward courage

Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

RESOURCES:
Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming!

📱 Follow Us:

Instagram | Facebook | Threads

🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health

This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients.

Links:
Anxiety Survival Toolkit:
https://www.blockoutthenoisepodcast.com/anxiety-survival-toolkit/

Davis-Smith Mental Health:
https://www.davis-smithmentalhealth.com/

⚠️ Disclaimer: Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate assistance, please contact emergency services or a trusted mental health professional immediately.

If you have ever stayed quiet so you would not stand out, downplayed your accomplishments, or held yourself back because you did not want to make anyone uncomfortable, this episode is for you. Anxiety convinces you that shrinking is safer, but playing small comes at a cost. It keeps you from opportunities, relationships, and the version of you that wants to grow.

In this episode, Jessica Davis, licensed therapist and creator of the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Method, breaks down why anxious teens and young adults dim their light and how to stop letting fear make your decisions. You will learn why shining bright is not arrogance, how other people’s insecurities shape your confidence, and how to reclaim the parts of you that you buried to feel safe.

✨ In This Episode, You Will Learn:
• Why anxiety convinces you to stay small
• How fear of judgment leads to shrinking
• Why other people’s insecurities impact your confidence
• What it actually means to shine bright
• How to stop apologizing for your strengths
• How to notice when you are dimming your light
• How to rebuild identity when you feel like you have lost yourself
• Why vulnerability is the foundation of real confidence

Got a question or feedback? Text us and share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

RESOURCES:
Get your FREE Anxiety Survival Toolkit to help you when your anxiety is overwhelming!

Grab your FREE 90-Day Courage Challenge Cheat Sheet and start building confidence today.

📱 Follow Us:

Instagram | Facebook | Threads

🎙️ Presented by Davis-Smith Mental Health

This podcast was created by Davis-Smith Mental Health, offering counseling for teens & young adults in Illinois (only). We accept BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, and self-pay clients.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Block Out the Noise provides personal insights and practical strategies to help manage anxiety and self-doubt. The content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional mental health care, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a crisis or need immediate assistance, please contact emergency services or a trusted mental health professional immediately.