We are Lindsay & Emily,
two sisters with OCD and anxiety (yes, it runs in the family) who used our learnings from therapy to create a helpful tool for our fellow chronic doubters, reassurance-seekers, & OCD warriors.
As sisters, we have the kind of relationship where we can push each other past our comfort zones, knowing that it will make us stronger in the long run (though in the moment we may feel the urge to pull each other's hair out).
We know that gut-wrenching, chest-tightening feeling. We also know how to survive it.
When anxiety weighs us down, sometimes we need to remind each other of the tools we’ve learned and the strength we have to pull ourselves back up.
With Presently, we share these tools with you.
(Psst... Pass them on.)
Unlike typical mantra bracelets, we're not here to simply inspire.
While traditional mantra bracelets (you know, the ones that say things like "good vibes only" or "choose joy") may be well-intentioned, managing anxiety requires more than just positive affirmations.
As two sisters with OCD & anxiety, we know from personal experience that those "inspirational" phrases are not quite therapist-approved.
Through years of struggling with racing thoughts, excessive worry, and constant self-doubt, we've learned that effective anxiety management requires confronting your anxiety head-on, rather than seeking temporary solutions.
That’s why we were compelled to create a new kind of mantra bracelet.
These bracelets are rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a proven therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and modifying unhelpful thought patterns.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS IS FOR ME?
Anxious and lost? Follow us.
We're glad you found us!
We've been there. We know exactly what it's like to feel alone (and lost) under the weight of anxiety. In fact, that's exactly why we started Presently.
Our mindfulness bracelets can help you discover a new way to truly manage your anxiety. We know it sounds daunting. That's why we start with the basics:
Anxiety is a natural human response that helps us respond to threats and stay on track. However, excessive worry can derail our lives and hinder our progress.
- Are you overly self-conscious about what you might say or do in any social situation?
- Have you been through a traumatic experience and now avoid anything that may bring back trauma?
- Do you ever feel upset by your own thoughts and do all you can to make them go away?
- Do you fear being away from or losing a loved one?
- Do you have fears you know are irrational but still can't shake?
Do these worries interfere with your daily life?
Anxiety dictates our lives, leading us to avoid discomfort at any cost. Despite being a natural part of the human experience, we often resist acknowledging and accepting it.
You might be thinking, “Okay, so how do I get rid of my anxiety?”
We don’t. We acknowledge it, embrace it, and look it straight in the face. We can't eliminate anxiety entirely, but we can minimize its impact on our well-being.
Instead ask, “How do I peacefully cohabit with my anxiety?”
Here’s a good start:
- Observe your thoughts as an impartial observer, without judgement.
- Pay attention to every feeling you feel, let the wave of emotions wash over you.
- Accept uncertainty and let go of trying to answer the unanswerable questions.
- After taking some time to listen to your mind and body, align yourself with your values so you can act with more clarity.
When we learn how our minds work, we can learn to react differently to our anxiety-producing thoughts. We can start filling our lives with things that bring us the most joy instead of things that bring us the least anxiety.
We can start to live in the present moment.
DISCOVER OUR MINDFUL REMINDERS
In therapy? Dive deeper.
We all know that — regardless of how long we've been in therapy — when stuck in a spiral of anxiety, and in search of a way out, our minds tend to go blank.
These bracelets are designed to support and reinforce the principles you've learned in therapy, empowering you to put them into practice, not only in session, but in those moments when your anxiety sneaks up on you.
With each glance at your wrist, you'll find the support and encouragement you need to push past your comfort zone and return to the present moment.
Break free from the grip of anxiety and cultivate the self-compassion that you need to further your journey.
DISCOVER OUR MINDFUL REMINDERS
BESTSELLER
Brave the uncomfortable
Perfect for those who:
• go with the flow, avoid confrontation
• avoid taking risks
• are afraid to be honest
• are hesitant to go to therapy
Full description:
Anxiety is uncomfortable. We start to sweat, our chest tightens, and we suddenly feel the urge to run in the opposite direction. We try to find relief by either avoiding triggers or pushing the discomfort away. But, when we avoid discomfort, we avoid taking risks, trying new things, and creating positive change for ourselves. We let this discomfort dictate how we live our lives.
When you allow yourself to feel the anxiety, you’ll discover that the discomfort does not last forever. The more you challenge yourself to brave the uncomfortable moments of life, the more willing you will be to take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.
BESTSELLER
Embrace uncertainty
Perfect for those who:
• keep clothing they haven't worn in years "just in case"
• double, triple, & quadruple check anything before hitting send
• love to ask "what if?" and "are you sure?"
• have to read every review before watching a movie
• use their daily horoscope as a roadmap
• enjoy list-making
Full description:
When a thought about the unknown crosses our mind, we can’t help but search for an answer. It’s difficult to surrender ourselves to the discomfort of not knowing. We have to accept that there are some things in life that we do not and might not ever know. When we reject uncertainty we allow ourselves to suffer more than we need to.
Resist seeking the certainty and quick relief that you crave. Instead of pushing the discomfort away, try pushing through it. The more resilience you build, the easier it will be to let go of trying to answer these unanswerable questions. Embrace uncertainty and you’ll start to find comfort in knowing that you don’t need to know everything to live your life in the present moment.
I am separate from my mind
Perfect for those who:
• assume having any doubts means they are doomed
• feel bad for "even having that thought"
• go to WebMD anytime they feel "off"
• interpret every dream as a sign
• overthink everything
Full description:
Our minds tend to dwell on thoughts that produce worry or guilt, echoing them over and over until we become attached and mistakenly identify them as the truth. But, when we learn how our brain actually works we discover that our thoughts come and go involuntarily. Just because they exist within our mind, does not mean they hold any meaning outside of it.
Allow the thoughts to enter your awareness, without becoming personally invested. Give them the space to come and go without needing an explanation. When you create some distance, and remember that you are separate from your mind, you’ll notice the urge to decipher every thought will fade, and the desire to live in the present will strengthen.
I let go of what I can't control
Perfect for those who:
• who let a little bad weather ruin their day
• who try to change the way someone feels
• who need to get everyone out the door on time
• who always want to make everyone happy
• who need to stick to their 5 year plan
• who hate sitting in traffic
Full description:
Sometimes we feel we have the power to control all areas of our life. When something doesn't go the way we imagined, we do everything in our power to reverse the outcome and extinguish the frustration that comes along with it. We spend time ruminating on things – our health, our future, or the actions of others – that we don't have control over. Let's focus on what we can control: our reactions and behaviors.
Instead of allowing your anxiety to hold you back, choose to move forward and adapt in a world that is constantly changing. Resist your temptation to regain control and free yourself from unnecessary suffering. Let go of what you can't control and grow into the person you want to be in the present moment.
It's okay to feel how I feel
Perfect for those who:
• apologize for being a "downer"
• think they're broken if they don't feel sad when they're "supposed" to
• think they need to be happy all the time
• go out even when they don't feel like it
• say they just need to "snap out of it"
Full description:
We've been conditioned to think that if we feel unhappy or anxious, we must act quickly to mend the situation. We're often told to "stay positive" or “life’s too short to be sad.” But the truth is, the more we resist those feelings, the more suffering we endure. We heal more deeply when we allow ourselves to truly feel all of our emotions.
Rather than pushing your true feelings aside and pretending that you are okay, give yourself the respect and the space to feel however you feel in that moment. Let your emotions come to the surface. When you accept that it’s okay to feel how you feel, you'll be able to use the clarity to act truer to yourself and your beliefs in the present moment.
My thoughts are passing clouds
Perfect for those who:
• let their anxiety stop them from enjoying the moment
• find their mind easily drifts off during a meeting
• often go down a rabbit hole of anxious thinking
• fixate on the past
• obsess about the future
Full description:
When we become overwhelmed with anxiety, our natural response is to quickly find relief by identifying the source and acting accordingly. This natural response hijacks our attention and pulls us away from the present moment. Though we can't remove anxiety completely, we can reduce our suffering.
Imagine observing your thoughts as if they were clouds in the sky. Watch them float by without speculating where they came from or where they are going. When you are able to see your thoughts out of the confines of your mind, you’ll gain the strength to sit with them and the emotions that come with it. When you're feeling stuck in a spiral of anxiety, remember your thoughts are passing clouds.
YOU MIGHT BE THINKING...
Why get this bracelet when you can simply jot down these words for future reference?
Sure, you can write down the words on your phone, save it to your desktop, or maybe even print it out and stick it on the wall. But, after a while, those avenues lose meaning.
A Presently Mindfulness Bracelet is more than just words engraved on a bracelet.
It's a reminder that you are not alone. There are people out there (two sisters, to be more specific), just like you, who personally know how hard it can be to manage OCD & anxiety when you don't have the right tools or support.
It's a reminder of the strength you've found to smack yourself (metaphorically, of course) across the face, interrupt your own anxious thought spirals, and remind yourself to:
"Get 👏 out 👏 of 👏 your 👏 head. And get back to the present moment."
You'll want to wear this bracelet because it's a reminder of the decision you made to stop wasting your precious time on anything but the present moment.