I have days where I love to be around people. I have wonderful friends and spending time with them is important. But, I also have to psych myself up, too. I am an introvert. I like time alone, but know that I am not a lonely person. There is a difference. Time alone is decompressing from the day's events and the chance to take a few deep breaths. I can always tell when anxiety starts creeping in because I get fidgety. It's not something I can will away. When it hits, I have to figure out what to do. I tap my fingers back and forth on my thumb, I count to anything - noises, clicks, a clock ticking - anything repetitive. The worst is when I can't figure out what to do and start to panic. When that happens, I have to spread my fingers apart because I can't stand them touching and then I pace the floor. Sometimes I just leave whatever situation I am. My friends joke that I ghost them, but they are used to this about me and they understand that sometimes I just have to go.

Anxiety comes in all forms and is different for all people. I wrote Listen because I wanted to tell a story that encourages people who suffer from anxiety and let them know so many of us do. And you know what? It's okay. And people, all kinds of people, come together and form everlasting relationships with happily ever after endings.

I hope you take the time to read Listen - out February 1st. Even if you don't have anxiety, I promise you somebody in your life does. Maybe it will explain things better or maybe you'll find a bit of yourself in this book.