Personal to Stella

I Chose Anxiety—and Still Made It to Beyoncé

July 11, 2025
I Chose Anxiety—and Still Made It to Beyoncé

Hi! I'm Stella

As a speaker and executive coach, Stella Grizont works with over achievers who are seeking deeper career fulfillment and with organizations who are dedicated to elevating the well-being of their employees.
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We talk a lot these days about overcoming anxiety—but sometimes, the most powerful move is to embrace it.

A few weeks ago, I got strep throat. Antibiotics cleared it up just in time for a girls’ trip to Paris with my mom, daughter, and sister—or so I thought.

Three days before takeoff, I started to feel achy again. My throat had the faintest twinge. I went to urgent care and was told everything looked fine. But I knew in my gut: it was coming back.

Cue the anxiety.
What if I had to stay in bed the entire time?
What if I kept getting strep over and over?
What if I get everyone sick?Should I start another round of antibiotics or wait it out?
I was swirling in worry.

In cognitive behavioral theory, anxiety is a response to a perceived threat—when we doubt our ability to cope or fear things will go wrong. That was me. I didn’t trust I could handle international travel (and a Beyoncé concert!) while feeling this fragile.

But here’s what I also know: doubt doesn’t mean we’re incapable—it just means we don’t feel capable in that moment. The way forward isn’t to suppress, power through, or ignore the anxiety, but to acknowledge it—and support the part of us that feels uncertain.

So, I got curious. I did my research. I rested. I tossed every toothbrush and lipstick I’d used in the last two weeks. I went back to urgent care the morning of my flight—and confirmed the strep was back. I started another round of antibiotics making me contagious for just the first 24 hours of the trip (no sharing escargot—no problem!).

What I want to share is this: our emotions aren’t problems to fix or override—they’re data to explore. Anxiety helped me realize what I needed: reassurance, rest, and a plan. When we stop fearing our feelings and start listening to them, we access their hidden wisdom.

How might your undesired emotions be serving you?
What are they asking you to pay attention to?
Where might you need more care, clarity, or support?
When we pause to truly listen, we often find that what we fear… is also what’s guiding us.

Do you need support listening to yourself? Have you been looking for a coach to guide you in making the next best move? Or are you ready to break through a limiting pattern? Let's explore working together - some spaces just opened up.
👉 Book a discovery call here - http://meetwithstella.com

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