I stretch sleepily in my bed and look out the window. It’s a beautiful day: the birds are chirping, the midday sun is shining…
Wait, the midday sun? I glance at the clock, the numbers glaring back: 1.04 pm.
“You have to get it by yourself,” she says. “I have a meeting to go to.”
I feel my heart begin to beat at the thought. “From the hawker centre?” I ask, nervously.
“Mm-hmm,” she replies.
A weak protest comes out of my mouth, but it falters as she clasps a hand firmly on my shoulder, steely glance steadying my flailing nerves. “You are old enough to go get lunch for yourself, aren’t you?” she asks, and with that, she’s gone, the door swinging shut behind her.
I stand alone in the middle of the living room. Although it’s not that warm in the afternoon, I feel sweaty; my heartbeat is racing, and I feel sweat coalesce at the back of my neck. My body feels sticky.
I mentally calculate the route to the hawker centre. I’ve been there before, I know, but usually I go with my Mum. Today, I’m alone.
It’s not that far, a short walk, about five minutes away. I stay in a relatively quiet area, and at this time of the day, it’s likely that there won’t be too many people, only the usual aunties and uncles milling around to buy food or chat to each other.
Still, all sorts of thoughts crowd my mind, building up unbelievable friction as they jostle around. What if..?
Maybe I should just stay home.
As if in response, my stomach growls.
“Ugh,” I groan as I roll out of bed.
I stand groggily in front of my toilet sink, brushing my teeth.
“Morning, Mum!” I say, walking into the living room. Mum’s just about to leave the house.
“Good afternoon,” she says pointedly.
I hear a rumbling sound, and it takes me a while to register that it’s coming from my own stomach. I guess I need to get lunch. “What’s for lunch?” I ask.
This is Chao Fan!
Here are 10 common anxiety triggers that we might experience daily:
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Caffeine – make sure you only consume healthy amounts of it!
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A Messy Home Environment – try cleaning up your room and see if you feel better!
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Self-Neglect – always listen to yourself and what your body wants (i.e. sleep, food)
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Insufficient Sleep – having enough sleep will give a significant impact on your mental strength
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Stress
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Finances
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Social Gatherings
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Work Environment
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Conflict
Extracted from https://www.intrepidmentalhealth.com/blog/10-surprisingly-common-anxiety-triggers
..wait, what’s the 10th one?!?
(CHAPTER 2 CLICK!)
Leave home?