Before I really dove deep into crystals and energy work, I used to wear a necklace with a smoky quartz pendant.

I read that smoky quartz represented calmness and protection, and that was all my anxious ears needed to hear.

If I was going into a triggering situation, or going to be around anyone triggering, I was wearing that necklace.

When I put that smoky quartz on, I was trusting it to enter a room before me and deflect negative energy before it could reach me.

I imagined it acting as a barrier between me and anyone triggering, protecting me from other people’s energy.

I felt calmer and less triggered when I was trusting that pendant to protect me.

The simple act of putting on that smoky quartz necklace was the beginning of using crystals to help my anxiety.

Beyond the fact that crystals can interact with our energy, which alone is helpful, working with these gifts from the earth brought me a powerful tool; intention setting.

As I grew my crystal collection, I would peruse it often. I would prepare for the day by putting a few crystals in my purse before heading out.

If I was going to a busy mall and worried about being around so many people, I would pick black tourmaline, a strong stone for grounding and protection. If I was headed to coffee with friends, I would choose blue lace agate for open communication, and sunstone for cheery warmth.

That is intention setting.

I would decide what kind of energy I wanted to be in while I was there, something to quiet the voice of fear, something to help me show up the way I chose.

Several years ago, I had to have a biopsy done on a tumor in my breast.

I was anxious and triggered. 

I chose clear quartz for full-body openness to healing, amethyst to feel connected to the love of my creator, and smoky quartz to stay calm.

I laid on the table while the doctor took tissue samples from the tumor and kept looping through my intention.

I pictured the clear quartz and felt its energy keeping me open to healing. I pictured the amethyst and felt it connecting me to God’s love. I pictured the smoky quartz and would breathe in its calmness slowly, feeling all of my anxious energy start to drain out of me and a sense of calm take over.

Setting an intention for that biopsy was powerful. When my anxiety would start rolling through worst case scenarios, stirring up my fears, and triggering panic, I could stop and think of the crystals in my purse and what I choose for the energy of that day;
open to healing,
connected to God’s love,
calm and grounded.

Originally, when I started using crystals for intention setting for my anxiety, I wanted stones that would shield me from other people and their energy, crystals that would calm my nerves, and ones to quiet my fear.

Dark stones.

And the truth is, that is exactly what I needed at that time. Nothing more, nothing less. Many people with anxiety need crystals for safety work first, repeatedly, and for a long time.

This helped slowly develop a sense of inherent safety, protection, and support in my body and mind. It brought stability to my root chakra, which is a critical step forward for people with anxiety.

What is cool is that it is so easy. No one even has to know. You can just research protective stones, pick one you like, and keep it in your purse, pocket, or bookbag, or wear it as a bracelet or necklace.

What I realized as I started to make progress with my anxiety was that, before crystals, I was basically always operating in fear energy.

Without realizing it, I was making all my decisions, and interacting in my relationships, with fear in control.

I was afraid people would get to know the real me and be disappointed.

I was afraid to let people down.

I was afraid to get overwhelmed and not be able to keep up.

I was a people pleaser and was always afraid I wouldn’t be able to be whatever they “needed” me to be.

Crystal energy work and intention setting (among many healing modalities I use for anxiety) played a huge role in setting those fears down.

Once I became used to the feeling of going about my day without fear in the lead, I realized safety and protection didn’t have to be the only intention. 

I started using crystals and grids to do forgiveness work, to cultivate courage, and to connect with my spirituality. I was able to set intentions to show up with playful energy using sacral chakra crystals. I set intentions to show up as myself and speak my truth with throat chakra crystals.

This was a huge shift. I didn’t have to focus on the root chakra, and feeling safe and protected, at all times. I could explore, I could find my voice, I could express myself creatively. I didn’t have to come at every situation with fear as the default.

It freed me.

I still have anxiety. I still get duped into letting fear take the reigns. I still have to weather panic attacks.

It is part of my journey. I’m ok with it.

If you were looking for a post about being “cured” of anxiety, well, this is not it. This post, and this blog, are about living alongside the impulse to let fear call the shots in every area of our lives.

I’m not “managing” my anxiety anymore.
I’m making progress alongside of it.

I’m a work in progress of having anxiety, but finding the love and courage to let myself be me, to set boundaries, to speak my truth, and to enjoy life.

This site is created for you to learn about crystals, chakras, intention setting, energy work, and other integrative healing modalities to support the progress you are making with your mental health.

For help picking crystals, check out How to Pick Crystals for Anxiety that will ACTUALLY Help You by Learning Which Chakra is Being Triggered.

For help figuring out how to use crystals one you have them, check out How to Use Crystal Cocktails to Expand Your Energy Healing.

For an overview of my three favorite physical energy healing tools, check out How To Use My 3 Favorite Energy Healing Tools.