Anxiety

No Man is an Island

"No man is an island"

I repeat it again and again in my head

"Lizzie, you're not alone. Many other people have anxiety too."

Anxiety. The word stings when it comes out of my mothers mouth.

"What does an island have to do with anxiety about school and grades?"

I ask raising my eyebrows with question.

"Lizzie."

Mom says looking at me.

"You're not alone. You're not a lonely island drowning in an ocean full of stress and anxiety." 

It is as if she's staring deep into my soul when she says this.

"Don't you get it,-"

She says.

"Yes, yes, I know. There are a ton of other people expirencing anxiety and much worse crap."

"That's true. Everyone has their own battles to fight."

"But they're not me. They're not expirencing the same thing! Most people dont freak out over stupid grades and doing well!"

 I almost scream, my voice coming and going in jagged breaths.

"No man is an island"

She says again.

"No man is an island."