I Wanna Hold Your Hand- dealing with anxiety in the face of change

Growing up, I experienced the autumns of the nerdy kid – that weird blend of nervousness and excitement about starting a new school year that was half wide-eyed optimism and half knowing dread. About the end of July, I would start visualizing it – there I was, strolling into class, buck teeth straightened, round belly and pimpled chipmunk cheeks replaced by graceful leanness, bookbag full of no-nonsense study supplies and a pouch full of pencils that absolutely had not had the ends chewed off. Maybe this is it! This is the year! It’s all going to come together, maybe! But probably not! (more…)