When most people hear the word anxiety, they think of something negative — something to get rid of or quiet down. But as Penelope Pumpernickel reminds us, not all anxiety is bad. In fact, anxiety can actually be a protective superpower when we help kids understand it the right way.

Anxiety is the body’s built-in alarm system — it tells us when something might need our attention. For example, that nervous feeling before a test? That’s your body’s way of saying, “This matters to you — let’s get ready!” That same inner voice helps kids prepare, stay aware, and make smart choices in tricky situations.

Lisa Damour, Ph.D., explains that we need to teach girls to appreciate the protective mechanism of anxiety instead of fearing it. When girls understand their “inner voice,” they learn to listen to it rather than fight it. It can guide them toward safety, help them set healthy boundaries, and remind them of what’s important.

As Penelope says, “Your anxiety isn’t your enemy — it’s your inner guide.”
By reframing anxiety as a signal, not a flaw, we help our girls grow into more confident, emotionally intelligent, and self-aware young women.

Key Takeaway:

When girls understand that anxiety is their body’s way of protecting them, they develop the confidence to trust themselves — and that’s one of the most powerful life skills of all.