Even though I want to improve and do everything I can to help my situation and live a meaningful life, I feel a lot of shame around the fact that this is what I struggle with.
I have a friend who I’ve been wanting to get closer to, and have been vulnerable with enough to talk about my struggle. At first, they tried figuring out the possibilities for the root cause of my anxiety, and then afterwards, told me about how I just need to practice. I tried to share more about myself and what I was going through, but despite all my efforts, I ended up feeling upset and intimidated at the advice that they told me because I was aware that they haven’t gone through anything similar.
I’ve been considering whether I’m just complaining or trying to receive validation, but I don’t know how to communicate my needs. In the end, I disregard everything as an “exaggeration” because deep inside, I feel embarrassed about my situation and rely on rumination to figure everything out on my own.
How can I be more honest and open to them about myself, without feeling so much shame and anxiety? How can I assert myself without engaging in a power struggle or like I have to prove myself in some way?