Why Am I Always Anxious Even When Nothing Is Wrong?

Understanding “Baseline Anxiety” and What Your Mind Might Be Trying to Tell You

Have you ever thought, “I should feel fine… so why don’t I?” Maybe your to-do list is under control, no major problems are happening, and yet, you feel tense, wired, and on edge. This type of constant, unexplained anxiety is more common than you might think.

As a therapist who specializes in anxiety, self-esteem, and perfectionism, I work with many people—especially new moms and high-achieving young adults—who struggle with this exact feeling. Let’s break down why it happens and what you can do to begin shifting it.

1. Your Nervous System Might Be Stuck in Overdrive

Anxiety is your brain’s way of keeping you safe. But if your nervous system has been repeatedly exposed to stress (childhood chaos, ongoing pressure, or unrelenting expectations), it can get stuck in “high alert mode.”

Even when there’s no immediate threat, your body might still act like there is. You’re not imagining it- it’s a protective response, not a personal flaw.

2. You May Have Learned That Calm = Danger

This might sound surprising, but if your early experiences taught you that calm was usually followed by something bad- an argument, rejection, or sudden crisis- your brain may now associate peace with vulnerability.

So when life finally feels stable, part of you might panic. Surely something bad is about to happen... right?

This is often unconscious, but it’s possible to rewire.

3. Perfectionism Feeds Anxiety (Even When It’s Disguised as “Being Responsible”)

For many high-functioning adults, perfectionism is a coping mechanism. If your sense of worth or safety depends on always being prepared or performing well, it creates a constant pressure to stay vigilant.

The result? Anxiety shows up even when there’s no clear problem because your brain doesn’t believe it’s safe to relax.

4. Anxiety Can Be a Messenger, Not a Monster

In therapy approaches like IFS (Internal Family Systems) and psychodynamic work, we don’t try to “get rid” of anxiety right away. We ask:

  • What part of you is feeling scared or uncertain?

  • What was this part trying to protect you from?

  • What does it need now?

When we get curious instead of judgmental, anxiety starts to lose its power—and you start to feel more in control.

5. You Can Relearn What Safety Feels Like

Here are a few small steps you can take:

  • Track your baseline. Ask yourself daily: “Where is my anxiety on a scale of 1–10?” Simply noticing can be powerful.

  • Practice “safe enough” thinking. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be okay. Try to let “safe enough” be your new goal.

  • Use grounding tools like body scanning, orienting (naming objects around you), or even placing a warm compress on your chest. These remind your body it’s not in danger.

You’re Not Broken-Your Anxiety Makes Sense

If you’ve lived with anxiety for a long time, especially the kind that doesn’t seem tied to anything specific, please know:
💬 You’re not broken. Your brain and body are doing what they learned to do to keep you safe.

The good news? You can absolutely unlearn those patterns—and therapy can help.

Looking for Support?

We help thoughtful, motivated individuals (including new moms, college students, and adults navigating big transitions) explore the roots of anxiety, shift perfectionistic patterns, and find more calm in their everyday lives.

If you're ready to feel more like yourself again, click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
Let’s get you grounded again - without waiting for something to go wrong first.