Why Do We Run When Someone Gets Too Close?

Have you ever noticed yourself feeling anxious around someone — or suddenly wanting to avoid them?

Anxiety can show up in so many different ways. For many of us, it can sit quietly in the background of our lives, sometimes barely noticeable, until something triggers it.

And what do we often do?

We avoid it.

We move away from the situation, the person or the experience that is creating that uncomfortable feeling.

Maybe you recognise this in relationships.

You meet someone. Things are going really well. There’s a connection, you’re enjoying each other’s company and then suddenly they start talking about something more serious… maybe a longer-term relationship.

And then… BOOM.

There it is.

That feeling of anxiety.

Perhaps something from the past gets triggered. Maybe you’ve experienced hurt, rejection, abandonment or a relationship that didn’t end well.

Whatever the reason, suddenly you feel overwhelmed.

So you start to pull away.

You stop answering the phone. Messages go unanswered, or your replies become short and distant. You tell yourself you’re just not interested anymore.

But underneath all of that, something else may be happening.

You could be unconsciously protecting yourself from experiencing that old feeling again.

And without even realising it, you might be walking away from what could have become an amazing relationship or friendship.

For some people, this pattern can play out again and again for years.

It can even leave you wondering:

“Why am I still single?”

The problem isn’t necessarily that there is something wrong with you.

You may simply not recognise the pattern yet.

Think about an air-conditioning unit running constantly in a room.

After a while, you become so used to the sound that you barely notice it.

But switch it off…

Suddenly, you realise just how noisy it was.

Anxiety can be like that.

The first step isn’t necessarily to change everything.

The first step is awareness.

To begin noticing when anxiety appears.

To notice when you want to run, avoid, shut down or push someone away.

And once you become aware of the pattern, you can begin to explore why it’s happening — and, more importantly, begin to feel differently.

If any of this sounds familiar and you’re starting to recognise yourself in what I’ve described, put ME in the comments.

I’ll send you a free video to help you begin that process.

Just comment:

ME