On August 25, 11 years ago, several Free Staters went to support Ron Paul in Florida.
We had a booth with Bill’s LIBERTY TOO BIG TO FAIL sign, we solicited signers, and I gave a speech about the value of concentrating pro-freedom folk together in the great state of NH.
My highlights from that excursion were:
Tom Woods walking by me as we were getting ready to speak, me timidly greeting him fan-girl-style, Tom saying something like, “I know I should know who you are because I see you at these things,” and, as we shook hands, I mentally vowed that he’d remember me one day! (I think he does! 
)
Getting interviewed by Tom Mullen for The Washington Times:
Meeting the great Walter Block. Walter has been a big intellectual influence on me, although he may not know it.
In September, my submission, solicited by him, will be included in a new autobiographical anthology of libertarian thought leaders edited by Prof. Block (yeah, I’m fancy now). Of my personal essay, he said: “Wow! This one blew me away!” Stay tuned for info when it drops.
What I remember most, though, about that trip, is the deep anxiety I felt. About life, about broken friendships, about having to give a speech in front of so many people. I surely did some tequila shots beforehand.
Looking back now, I’m so grateful for the choices I made to change my trajectory. Giving up the crutch of alcohol materially reduced my anxiety.
If YOU suffer from anxiety, you have to be willing to dig deep to make changes, and part of that is recognizing HOW YOU ARE FUELING YOURSELF. What do you consume? Alcohol, sugar, too much caffeine? Porn? Doom scrolling? Psst, all of these can cause you to sleep poorly.
Sleep poorly? Don’t expect your noggin’ to function right.
If you truly want to LIVE FREE AND THRIVE, with the emphasis on THRIVE, you have to ACTIVELY & CONSCIOUSLY seek to make that happen!
If I can do it, so can YOU! Follow me on social and subscribe here to CarlaGericke.com, where I frequently blog about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (emphasis on PURSUIT… YOU are the steward of your life, thoughts, and dreams!).