History Recap / SandersSidesS1E3TakingOnAnxiety

* ShoutOut: Princey sinks down singing "You're Welcome!", from ''{{Disney/Moana}}''. Thomas [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] the reference.

* RememberTheNewGuy: Thomas introduces Anxiety only for the audience, but it is implied that he has been around for some time before his official introduction and that he already was well known at least for Thomas and Roman.

* FirstAppearance: Anxiety makes an appearance in this episode.

* SpecialGuest: [[WebVideo/IISuperwomanII Lilly Singh]] makes an appearance as a guest star in this episode portraying a recreation of [[AsHimself herself]] in the Mind Palace.

* {{Shoutout}}: Princey sinks down singing "You're Welcome!", from ''{{Disney/Moana}}''. Thomas [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] the reference.

* TheNicknamer: Anxiety is the first one to call Creativity with the nickname "Princey". Princey, on the other hand, gives Anxiety his first nickname ever: Emo Nightmare.

* [[AsHimself As Herself]]: [[WebVideo/IISuperwomanII Lilly Singh]] makes an appearance as a guest star in this episode.

Thomas is feeling relaxed, but then Anxiety shows up and ruins his peace. Unsettled, he asks Princey for help, and he suggests Thomas to retreat to his mind to find recruitments. In doing so, Thomas and Anxiety are transported to recreation of [[WebVideo/IISuperwomanII Lilly Singh's]] apartment. There, Lilly gives Thomas a few tricks to help him, if not destroy Anxiety, at least bring him down enough.

* {{Shoutout}}: Princey sinks down singing "You're Welcome!", from ''{{Disney/Moana}}''.

* {{Shoutout}}: Princey sinks down singing "You're Welcome!", from ''Disney/Moana''.

'''Anxiety''': Yeah! Wait... what?\\

* JumpScare: When Thomas congratulates himself for getting rid of Anxiety, at least for the moment, Princey congratulates him. Thomas, who had forgotten Princey was still there, jumps scared and yells a [[CurseCutShot "WHAT THE F...!]]"

The episode begins with Thomas saying he doesn't give a [[SoundEffectBleep f**k]]. [[VisualPun He holds up a fork, declaring that he takes them instead]] and expresses confusion at the fact that the word was censored. Cue title screen.

Thomas greets the audience and tells them that he isn't sure if it's the time of year or the fact that he's home with friends, [[TemptingFate but for some reason, he's feeling very relaxed.]]

Oh. In comes Anxiety; represented here by a never-before-seen character in a black hoodie and with prominent bags under his eyes. He appears so suddenly that Thomas yells in surprise. Anxiety mockingly apologises and asks if he wasn't wanted at this exact second. Thomas begrudingly introduces his Anxiety and displays frustrated confusion at the fact that he was feeling fine a second ago and that there was nothing to be anxious about. Anxiety fires back saying that those are the best times for him to show up. Thomas replies that he was even in the middle of explaining how relaxed he was feeling, to which Anxiety responds that this is when Thomas starts wondering why he ''does'' feel all relaxed; he doesn't usually feel this way, so what is he doing different? What is he doing ''wrong? What is he '''forgetting''' to do?''

Thomas tells Anxiety to shut up, but the latter tells him that this is just what he does. Thomas brings his own attention back to the audience and explains the biggest thing that bugs him about Anxiety; the fact that while yes, it does show up when Thomas is nervous about doing something or when he has to interact with lots of people socially, or when there's a big project due, but sometimes Anxiety just shows up for no apparent reason and ruins what peace he had. Thomas is getting fed up and exclaims that there has got to be another way out of it. Anxiety says he'd like to see Thomas ''try'' to quit him.

Thomas summons his Prince character, and explains that he represents Thomas' hopes, dreams and creativity. He then explains to his Creativity that right now, he hopes and dreams to get rid of his Anxiety. Creativity responds with saying that he can't stand Anxiety; a sentiment Thomas agrees with. Creativity tells Thomas that getting rid of Anxiety is a tall order, and says that maybe now is the time to get creative and travel somewhere in Thomas' mind for recruitment. Anxiety is halfway through saying that Thomas would need some super heavy-duty recruitment when Thomas and Anxiety are transported into [[WebAnimation/IISuperwomanII Lilly Singh]]'s house.

Thomas enthusiastically greets Lilly, who asks what Thomas is doing here. Thomas asks Lilly if she's ever had a conversation with someone and thought it went well but there was something in the back of her brain trying to convince her it went horribly. Lilly says of course she has, and Thomas points to Anxiety, saying "There's the something."

Lilly and Thomas begin to recall negative things Anxiety has caused, but he brushes them both off, saying he's only doing his job. Thomas tells Lilly that the reason he brought himself here was to ask if there were any tips she could give him to bring his Anxiety down. Lilly tells Thomas that while ''destroying'' Anxiety is really tough, bringing him down can be easy through various methods. We cut through a montage of scenarios where Anxiety decides to bother Lilly.

Scenario #1: Lilly is on her phone minding her own business while Anxiety wonders what all her friends are saying about her behind her back right now. Lilly then uses her first method of tuning out Anxiety; '''turning to a funny, lighthearted TV show'''. Anxiety sits down calmly, admitting that it's a really good episode.

Scenario #2: Lilly is in the middle of reading a book when Anxiety appears to tell her she's got all this other stuff to do. Lilly ignores him, instead starting to '''make positive, calming observations''', such as how she likes the book, she can smell something cooking from another house and how she sees a bird flying around outside. Anxiety leaves, grumbling angrily.

Scenario #3: Lilly is lying in bed trying to sleep when Anxiety appears with the intention to list everything Lilly did wrong that day. Lilly instead uses '''positive self talk''', telling herself that she did everything she possibly could have done, the best she could have done. She tells herself that she's proud of what she's accomplished. Anxiety tells her to think about all the things she has to do tomorrow, but Lilly shuts him down, telling him she only needs to '''focus on right now''', and that in this moment, she's doing exactly what she should be doing; getting some rest. Anxiety storms off, frustrated and defeated.

The montage ends and Lilly tells Thomas that, while these methods work for her, everyone is different and anxiety can be a constant struggle. Though there are ways of shutting it up, and everyone deals with anxiety from time to time. Thomas thanks Lilly, who accepts the thank you, but says that Thomas has to leave now, as [[{{WebVideo/Danisnotonfire}} Dan]] and [[WebOriginal/AmazingPhil Phil]] are on their way. Thomas says goodbye and transports himself and Anxiety back home.

While Thomas is still reeling from having visited Lilly, Anxiety says that Thomas doesn't have what it takes to curb his anxiety. Thomas takes that as a challenge and starts by '''taking a deep breath.''' This noticably throws Anxiety off balance. Thomas '''accepts that he has anxiety''', and that it is something he can control. Anxiety tries to shut him down, but before he can, Thomas '''realises that Anxiety is all in his head;''' Anxiety is the thoughts he creates, the questions he asks, the fears he has. Nothing more. Anxiety admits he's been defeated, but declares that he'll be back. Thomas recognises this, but knows he'll be ready. Anxiety sinks out.

Creativity congratulates Thomas on a job well done, startling Thomas in the process, as he had forgotten Creativity had been summoned. Creativity says that it looked like Thomas had everything under control, so he simply didn't bother. Thomas says he hopes he does have it under control, and hopes that the audience took some tips away from the video to help them with their own anxiety. Creativity also wishes the audience luck, saying that they can conquer this beast. Thomas thanks Creativity, who sinks out singing [[{{Disney/Moana}} "You're WELCOME~!"]] Thomas closes the video with a wish for many peaceful moments to come for everyone.

TheStinger shows Anxiety being upset that Thomas thinks he's so great for defeating him this time. Anxiety tells the audience that he only wants to protect Thomas, saying that yeah, he was invited to a few parties but if Anxiety wasn't there to convince Thomas not to go, who knows what bad things would've happened? Creativity says that Thomas might have had to talk to some people, dance ridiculously and have a fun night. Anxiety agrees before realising Creativity was being sarcastic. Creativity tells Anxiety he doesn't like the latter, to which Anxiety reponds with "You're just mad because I just came from a Music/MyChemicalRomance concert."

Thomas summons his Prince character, and explains that he represents Thomas' hopes, dreams and creativity. He then explains to his Creativity that right now, he hopes and dreams to get rid of his Anxiety. Creativity responds with saying that he can't stand Anxiety; a sentiment Thomas agrees with. Creativity tells Thomas that getting rid of Anxiety is a tall order, and says that maybe now is the time to get creative and travel somewhere in Thomas' mind for recruitment. Anxiety is halfway through saying that Thomas would need some super heavy-duty recruitment when Thomas and Anxiety are transported into [[WebOriginal/IISuperwomanII Lilly Singh]]'s house.

Creativity congratulates Thomas on a job well done, startling Thomas in the process, as he had forgotten Creativity had been summoned. Creativity says that it looked like Thomas had everything under control, so he simply didn't bother. Thomas says he hopes he does have it under control, and hopes that the audience took some tips away from the video to help them with their own anxiety. Creativity also wishes the audience luck, saying that they can conquer this beast. Thomas thanks Creativity, who sinks out singing [[{{WesternAnimation/Moana}} "You're WELCOME~!"]] Thomas closes the video with a wish for many peaceful moments to come for everyone.