I’ve had anxiety since it was merely considered worrying. Everyone used to tell me to calm down and not worry. But as I grew older, my anxiety evolved, and the thesaurus switched ‘worry’ with ‘anxiety.’

I’ve missed several golden opportunities in my life because of this anxiety. Am I sad about it? I’m not sure; I don’t feel anything. I don’t have any opinion. On a rainy day without pakodas, I might say I don’t like Mr. Shahrukh Khan, but on a rainy day with pakodas, there’s no one better than him. However, pakodas play no role in this.

My head feels heavy and my body itches when I try to calm down. Stress definitely has a crucial role in this. Which came first? Stress or anxiety? After a quick 15-second break and a little googling, I’ve realized I don’t have anxiety; I have stress. And perhaps my body itches because I haven’t been bathing regularly.

Also, that slight discoloration on my tongue is surely oral cancer.

Okay, I admit it—I have anxiety.

Time for some breathing exercises. I’ll save the rest for my therapist, that guy in the mirror.

— JD