Reflecting and Growing | @caroline-cavanagh | The Anxiety Alchemist

21 Jul 2026 · 1 min

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Caroline Cavanagh suggests reminding anxious teens of past wins like learning to walk or riding a bike. When they feel stuck on something hard, show them they've mastered difficult things before through practice. Anxiety often comes from thinking you can't do something, but reflection on old victories can shift that.

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So we have, as human beings, the ability to reflect back on what's gone on in the past, and there is a fantastic thing that we can do as parents that really helps anxious teenagers that are worrying about things that they can't do. And I'm sure you have heard, oh, I can't do that. And so just remind them, do you know there was a time you couldn't walk? There was a time you couldn't actually feed yourself without getting yogurt all over your face. There was a time where you couldn't ride a bike or do your times tables. Keep on for as many examples as it amuses you for. And then just land that card. And there will be a time where you can do this too. Anything that you can't do now, you will be able to do in the future. All you need to do is practice.