Okay, so I’m gonna share my experience with the novena for anxiety. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first, but desperate times, right?
First off, I found a novena prayer online. There are tons of them, so I just picked one that resonated with me. It was addressed to a specific saint known for calming anxieties. I figured, hey, might as well try.
Then, for nine days straight, I made sure to set aside time each day. Usually it was in the morning before the day really kicked off and my anxiety could take over, or sometimes right before bed when it usually ramps up. Consistency was key, that’s what everyone says, right?
Each time, I lit a candle. Sounds cheesy, I know, but it helped me focus. I just used a simple tea light. Then, I read the prayer aloud. Slowly. Deliberately. Really trying to focus on the words and what they meant. This wasn’t about just speed-reading; it was about connecting.
Some days, I felt absolutely nothing. Like, nada. Other days, I actually felt a little calmer afterwards. It was subtle, but noticeable. Like the edge had been taken off. I definitely kept a journal. After the prayer each day, I jotted down how I was feeling, any thoughts that came up, just whatever was going on.
During those nine days, I tried to be more mindful in general. Meditated a little. Went for walks in nature. Just stuff to help quiet my mind. I wasn’t relying solely on the novena, it was just a piece of the puzzle.
After the nine days were up, I looked back at my journal. And honestly, I was surprised. Even if I didn’t feel a HUGE difference day-to-day, over the course of those nine days, my overall anxiety levels definitely seemed lower. I felt like I had more control, less like my anxiety was controlling me.
So, did the novena “cure” my anxiety? Nah, not at all. But it gave me a framework, a routine, a small pocket of peace each day. It was a tool, and one that I’ll probably use again when things get rough. It’s more about the ritual and the intention, I think. Finding a bit of calm in the chaos.
- Found a novena prayer online
- Made time each day for nine days
- Lit a candle to focus
- Read the prayer aloud slowly
- Kept a journal of my feelings
- Tried to be more mindful
- Looked back at my journal after nine days
- Gave me a framework and a routine
Would I recommend it?
Yeah, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for something to try, give it a shot. It’s free, takes like ten minutes a day, and hey, it might just help. And if it doesn’t? No harm done, right?
