60+ Best Similes for Anxious Feelings, Meaning, and Examples

Anxiety can be difficult to describe because it often feels bigger than ordinary worry. The right comparison can turn that invisible feeling into something readers can immediately picture. That is why finding the best similes for anxious emotions can make writing more vivid, emotional, and memorable.

A strong simile connects anxiety to a familiar image, sensation, object, animal, place, or situation. Instead of simply saying someone is anxious, you can show that feeling through language such as, “His thoughts raced like cars on a crowded highway.”

In this guide, you will find original similes for anxious feelings across different styles and situations. You will also learn how to choose the right comparison, use anxious similes naturally, avoid common mistakes, and create stronger descriptions for stories, poems, essays, conversations, and creative writing.

What Are the Best Similes for Anxious?

The best similes for anxious describe nervousness, fear, uncertainty, tension, anticipation, or overwhelming worry by comparing those feelings to something familiar.

A simile usually uses words such as “like” or “as” to connect two different things. For example, “She felt as nervous as a bird trapped in a room” compares nervousness with the helpless movement of a trapped bird.

Anxiety can take many forms. Someone may feel restless, frightened, overwhelmed, uncertain, tense, or unable to stop thinking. Because of this variety, different similes work better for different situations.

For example, a quiet anxious feeling might be compared to a distant storm gathering on the horizon, while intense anxiety could be compared to a drum pounding inside a locked room.

The strongest similes do more than use the word anxious. They help the reader experience the emotion visually or physically.

A good anxious simile can communicate:

• Fear
• Nervousness
• Uncertainty
• Restlessness
• Pressure
• Overthinking
• Anticipation
• Emotional tension
• Panic
• Uneasiness

Here’s why.

When readers can picture an emotion, they understand and remember the writing more easily. Instead of telling readers that a character is anxious, a vivid comparison allows them to imagine what that anxiety feels like.

Why These Similes Matter

Similes are useful because emotions are abstract. You cannot physically hold anxiety, place it on a table, or point to it in the same way you can point to a storm, a locked door, or a racing animal.

A simile gives an abstract emotion a concrete image.

Consider the difference between these sentences:

She was anxious before the interview.

She was as tense as a wire pulled tight before the interview.

The second sentence gives the reader something to visualize. The tension becomes physical.

They Make Emotional Writing Stronger

An anxious character can easily become repetitive if every sentence uses words such as worried, nervous, scared, or anxious.

Similes provide variety.

Instead of repeatedly writing “he was nervous,” you can describe his thoughts, breathing, movements, or surroundings through different comparisons.

They Help Readers Feel the Emotion

A comparison can create an emotional response that a simple adjective cannot.

For example:

Her thoughts fluttered like trapped moths around a bright light.

The image suggests movement, confusion, and an inability to settle down.

They Improve Creative Descriptions

Writers can use anxious similes in:

• Short stories
• Novels
• Poems
• Personal essays
• Speeches
• Journals
• Character descriptions
• Social media captions
• Creative assignments
• Dialogue

They Make Characters More Memorable

A character who is described through distinctive imagery can feel more realistic.

For instance, saying “His confidence shook like a candle flame in a draft” creates a clearer picture than simply saying he lacked confidence.

They Give Different Forms of Anxiety a Unique Voice

Not all anxiety feels the same.

One person may experience quiet uncertainty, while another may feel intense physical tension. Similes let you match the image to the exact emotional experience.

Now consider this.

The goal is not to make every anxious feeling sound dramatic. The goal is to find an image that matches the strength, mood, and context of the emotion.

How to Choose the Right Simile

Choosing an effective anxious simile starts with understanding what kind of anxiety you want to describe.

Ask yourself whether the feeling is quiet, intense, humorous, physical, emotional, temporary, or persistent.

Situation	Best Type of Simile	Example Direction
Mild nervousness	Gentle or subtle	A leaf trembling in a breeze
Strong fear	Powerful	A storm trapped behind a door
Overthinking	Mental or chaotic	Marbles rolling across a floor
Social anxiety	Relatable	A bird surrounded by unfamiliar noise
Waiting for news	Suspenseful	A clock ticking in an empty room
Exam anxiety	Pressure-based	A balloon stretched too tightly
Romantic nervousness	Light and emotional	Butterflies circling in a jar
Funny nervousness	Humorous	A squirrel guarding a mountain of acorns
Poetic writing	Natural imagery	Clouds gathering over a quiet field
Intense panic	Fast-moving imagery	Sparks racing through dry grass

Match the Intensity

A mild anxious feeling should not always be compared with something catastrophic.

For gentle nervousness, try imagery involving:

• Leaves
• Small waves
• Flickering lights
• Birds
• Soft rain
• Whispering wind

For stronger anxiety, consider:

• Storms
• Tight ropes
• Racing engines
• Alarms
• Crashing waves
• Crowded highways

Match the Setting

Your simile should fit the scene.

If your character is standing backstage before a performance, a comparison involving a stage light or a curtain may feel natural.

If your character is outside during a storm, weather imagery can create a stronger connection.

Consider the Character

A child, athlete, student, detective, comedian, and poet may describe anxiety differently.

A student might think of anxiety as a test paper covered in invisible questions. A runner might experience it like a starting gun echoing before the race begins.

The best simile often reflects the character’s world.

Best Similes for Anxious

The following original similes are grouped by mood and purpose so you can quickly find language that fits your writing.

Powerful Similes for Anxious

1. As anxious as a storm trapped behind a locked door.
2. As tense as a rope pulled tighter with every second.
3. As nervous as a spark searching for somewhere safe to land.
4. As restless as waves fighting against a narrow shore.
5. As uneasy as a shadow moving where nobody stands.
6. As frightened as a candle flame surrounded by sudden wind.
7. As anxious as an engine revving before the road appears.
8. As tense as a bridge carrying more weight than it was built to hold.
9. As unsettled as clouds racing across a darkening sky.
10. As nervous as a bird hearing footsteps in the leaves.
11. As worried as a lighthouse watching a storm approach.
12. As anxious as a clock ticking inside an empty room.
13. As tense as a wire stretched between two distant poles.
14. As restless as fire looking for another piece of wood.
15. As nervous as a key turning inside an unfamiliar lock.

Emotional Similes for Anxious

1. Her heart felt like a small boat caught between restless waves.
2. His worry clung to him like rain-soaked clothing.
3. Her thoughts moved like birds startled from a quiet tree.
4. His fear sat like a stone beneath his ribs.
5. Her uncertainty spread like fog across an empty road.
6. His nervousness trembled like a leaf beneath a heavy raindrop.
7. Her anxiety followed like a shadow that refused to fade.
8. His thoughts tangled like threads pulled from a broken sweater.
9. Her fear hovered like a cloud refusing to move.
10. His worry pressed against him like a door pushing from the other side.
11. Her uneasiness settled like dust in an abandoned room.
12. His emotions churned like water beneath a restless bridge.
13. Her nervous heart fluttered like a paper bird in a strong breeze.
14. His anxiety wrapped around his thoughts like vines around an old fence.
15. Her fear lingered like thunder after the lightning disappeared.

Similes for Anxious Overthinking

1. His thoughts raced like bicycles downhill without brakes.
2. Her mind spun as a ceiling fan stuck on its fastest setting.
3. His worries multiplied like raindrops on a window.
4. Her thoughts bounced like marbles inside an empty box.
5. His mind wandered like a radio searching endlessly for a station.
6. Her questions crowded together like people rushing through a narrow doorway.
7. His thoughts twisted like wires inside a tangled drawer.
8. Her imagination ran like a train that had forgotten its brakes.
9. His worries circled like hawks above an open field.
10. Her mind buzzed like a room full of unfinished conversations.
11. His thoughts scattered like papers caught in a sudden wind.
12. Her doubts grew like weeds after heavy rain.
13. His mind jumped like a nervous rabbit between patches of grass.
14. Her worries marched like tiny drums beating without rhythm.
15. His thoughts collided like cars at a crowded intersection.

Poetic Similes for Anxious

1. Her anxiety rose like moonlight through a darkened window.
2. His fear drifted like mist across a sleeping valley.
3. Her thoughts trembled like stars reflected on moving water.
4. His worry gathered like rain beneath a silent cloud.
5. Her nervousness flickered like a candle near an open window.
6. His uncertainty moved like fog beneath the morning sun.
7. Her heart shook like a feather caught in autumn wind.
8. His anxiety whispered like leaves moving after midnight.
9. Her doubts floated like petals on a river with no shore.
10. His fear darkened like evening spreading across the hills.
11. Her restless thoughts drifted like boats without anchors.
12. His worry settled like winter frost on an empty garden.
13. Her anxiety curled around her like smoke beneath a ceiling.
14. His uneasiness shimmered like heat above a distant road.
15. Her fear waited like thunder beyond the edge of the horizon.

Funny Similes for Anxious

1. As anxious as a squirrel guarding a mountain of acorns.
2. As nervous as a cat wearing shoes for the first time.
3. As worried as a chef watching a cake rise too quickly.
4. As tense as a rubber band afraid of being stretched.
5. As anxious as a penguin trying to give a serious speech.
6. As nervous as a phone at one percent battery.
7. As worried as a student who suddenly remembers the homework.
8. As restless as a puppy waiting beside a closed treat cupboard.
9. As tense as a balloon sitting beside a cactus.
10. As anxious as a pigeon trapped inside a grocery store.
11. As nervous as someone trying to whisper in a silent library.
12. As worried as a squirrel crossing a road during rush hour.
13. As anxious as a dog hearing a mysterious noise upstairs.
14. As nervous as a magician who has forgotten the trick.
15. As tense as a cookie waiting to discover whether it will burn.

Creative Similes for Anxious

1. His anxiety was like a radio playing ten stations at once.
2. Her nerves were like tiny drums beating beneath the floor.
3. His fear was like a locked room filled with unanswered questions.
4. Her uncertainty was like walking through a hallway with changing doors.
5. His worry was like carrying a glass filled to the very edge.
6. Her nervousness was like standing beneath a ceiling of falling clocks.
7. His thoughts were like scattered puzzle pieces refusing to fit.
8. Her anxiety was like a suitcase packed with invisible bricks.
9. His fear was like a warning light blinking in an empty control room.
10. Her doubts were like fingerprints covering a clear window.
11. His worry was like a kite pulled against a stubborn wind.
12. Her nerves were like loose coins rattling inside a metal box.
13. His anxiety was like a hallway that kept getting longer.
14. Her thoughts were like tangled headphones pulled from a pocket.
15. His uncertainty was like a map with half the roads erased.

Similes for Anxious Before an Event

1. As nervous as a runner waiting for the starting signal.
2. As anxious as a performer behind a curtain before the lights rise.
3. As tense as a student waiting for an exam paper.
4. As nervous as a speaker standing beside an unopened microphone.
5. As anxious as a traveler waiting beside an unfamiliar gate.
6. As tense as a player waiting for the final whistle.
7. As nervous as a singer hearing the first note approach.
8. As anxious as a driver waiting for a difficult road to open.
9. As tense as a contestant waiting for the question to be revealed.
10. As nervous as a child waiting outside a mysterious room.
11. As anxious as an actor waiting for the curtain to move.
12. As tense as a bowstring moments before release.
13. As nervous as a student holding an unopened result.
14. As anxious as a traveler watching the departure board change.
15. As tense as a runner crouched behind the starting line.

Similes for Socially Anxious Feelings

1. As nervous as a small bird entering a crowded room.
2. As anxious as a whisper trying to cross a noisy hall.
3. As uneasy as a new face among a sea of strangers.
4. As tense as a dancer stepping onto an unfamiliar stage.
5. As nervous as a candle surrounded by watching eyes.
6. As anxious as a single voice in a room full of conversations.
7. As uncomfortable as a puzzle piece in the wrong box.
8. As nervous as a guest who has forgotten everyone’s names.
9. As anxious as a shadow under a bright spotlight.
10. As tense as a first step onto a crowded dance floor.
11. As uncertain as a compass surrounded by magnets.
12. As nervous as a new student entering a noisy classroom.
13. As anxious as a bird surrounded by unfamiliar sounds.
14. As uneasy as a quiet note played in the middle of a loud song.
15. As tense as someone holding a conversation while balancing a glass of water.

• Similes for Anxious Thoughts

1. His thoughts raced like horses released from a closed gate.
2. Her worries moved like ants across a picnic blanket.
3. His mind spun like a wheel with no stopping point.
4. Her thoughts fluttered like receipts caught in a gust of wind.
5. His doubts spread like cracks across thin ice.
6. Her worries returned like waves refusing to leave the shore.
7. His mind buzzed like an overloaded electrical box.
8. Her thoughts jumped like sparks from a campfire.
9. His fears multiplied like shadows beneath several lights.
10. Her worries circled like birds above an empty field.
11. His thoughts tangled like fishing lines in rough water.
12. Her doubts drifted like smoke through an open window.
13. His mind raced like traffic during a sudden downpour.
14. Her worries stacked like books on an unstable shelf.
15. His thoughts knocked like strangers at every door in his mind.

How to Use These Similes Naturally

A simile should support your writing rather than interrupt it.

The easiest way to use an anxious simile is to connect it to a character’s thoughts, body language, surroundings, or actions.

Describe the Character’s Body

Instead of writing:

He was very anxious.

Try:

His hands trembled like leaves caught in a sudden wind.

The second sentence shows the physical effect of anxiety.

Describe Racing Thoughts

You can also use similes to explain mental activity.

Her thoughts raced like bicycles downhill without brakes, jumping from one possibility to another.

This works because the comparison directly supports the idea of uncontrollable thoughts.

Describe Waiting

Waiting is often associated with anxiety.

For example:

The minutes crawled like tired insects while she waited for the phone to ring.

The comparison emphasizes how slowly time seems to pass.

Use Similes in Dialogue

Characters can use similes when explaining how they feel.

For example:

“I feel like a balloon stretched too tightly,” he admitted.

This can make dialogue sound more personal and expressive.

Use Them in Poetry

Poetry gives you more freedom to use unusual comparisons.

For example:

My thoughts drift like paper boats,
each carrying another question.

The image creates an anxious mood without repeatedly naming the emotion.

Do Not Overload One Paragraph

One or two strong similes are usually more effective than several unrelated comparisons.

If every sentence contains a simile, the reader may stop noticing them. Let the strongest image carry the emotional weight.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even a creative simile can weaken your writing if it is poorly matched to the situation.

Using Clichés Too Often

Some comparisons have become extremely common.

Phrases involving butterflies in the stomach, for example, can work, but they may feel predictable when used repeatedly.

Try creating a fresh image that matches your specific situation.

Making the Comparison Too Complicated

A simile should usually be easy to understand.

Instead of building a comparison with several unrelated ideas, choose one strong image.

His anxiety was like a crowded train with every passenger shouting different directions.

The image is clear because all parts support the idea of mental confusion.

Using the Wrong Emotional Intensity

A gentle nervous feeling does not always need a violent or frightening image.

Similarly, severe tension may require something stronger than a comparison to a light breeze.

Match the image to the emotion.

Mixing Too Many Metaphors

Avoid changing the image halfway through a sentence.

For example, do not begin by comparing anxiety to a storm and suddenly switch to a racing car without a reason.

A consistent image is easier to visualize.

Forcing a Simile Into the Sentence

If the comparison sounds unnatural, rewrite the sentence.

The reader should feel that the simile belongs there rather than feeling that it was added simply to make the writing sound poetic.

Repeating the Same Comparison

If you use storm, fire, or racing thoughts several times in the same article or story, the imagery can become predictable.

Build a collection of different images so your writing remains fresh.

Confusing Similes With Metaphors

A simile generally makes a direct comparison using words such as like or as.

Simile: Her thoughts raced like a train.

Metaphor: Her thoughts were a runaway train.

Both can be effective, but they create slightly different styles.

Tips for Writing Better Similes

Creating original similes becomes easier when you focus on the emotion first and the object second.

Start With the Feeling

Ask what the anxiety actually feels like.

Is it:

• Tight?
• Fast?
• Heavy?
• Cold?
• Loud?
• Uncertain?
• Restless?
• Overwhelming?
• Shaky?
• Persistent?

Once you identify the sensation, search for an object or situation with a similar quality.

Use Sensory Details

Strong similes often involve one or more senses.

Think about:

• Sight: fog, flickering lights, moving shadows
• Sound: alarms, ticking clocks, distant thunder
• Touch: pressure, cold air, trembling hands
• Movement: racing cars, spinning wheels, restless birds
• Space: narrow rooms, crowded halls, endless roads

For example, anxiety can be described through sound:

Her thoughts sounded like dozens of clocks ticking at different speeds.

Look for Unexpected Comparisons

Originality often comes from connecting anxiety to something readers do not immediately expect.

For example:

His nervousness was like carrying a cup filled to the rim across a shaking floor.

The comparison communicates pressure and the fear of making one wrong movement.

Keep the Comparison Relevant

An unusual image is not automatically a good image.

The reader should be able to understand why the two things are being compared.

Vary Your Sentence Structure

Do not begin every sentence with “as anxious as.”

You can write:

Her thoughts fluttered like trapped birds.

Or:

His anxiety felt like a room with no visible exit.

Or:

She was as tense as a wire stretched between two poles.

Variation keeps the writing natural.

Use Strong Nouns and Verbs

A precise noun or verb can make a simile much more powerful.

Compare:

His thoughts moved like things.

with:

His thoughts scattered like papers caught in a sudden wind.

The second sentence works because scattered, papers, and wind create a clear image.

Read the Simile Aloud

If the comparison sounds awkward when spoken, revise it.

Good similes tend to flow naturally with the sentence around them.

Similes by Writing Situation

Different forms of writing call for different kinds of vivid comparisons. The following table can help you choose imagery that matches your purpose.

Writing Situation	Recommended Simile Style	Useful Imagery
Creative story	Emotional and sensory	Storms, shadows, birds, waves
Poetry	Symbolic and visual	Fog, moonlight, rain, wind
School essay	Clear and relatable	Clocks, exams, busy roads
Character description	Physical and emotional	Trembling leaves, tight ropes
Dialogue	Simple and conversational	Balloons, racing thoughts
Romantic scene	Gentle and emotional	Butterflies, candlelight, fluttering birds
Suspense story	Dark and tense	Locked doors, alarms, storms
Comedy	Exaggerated and playful	Squirrels, balloons, confused animals
Personal writing	Honest and sensory	Heavy stones, waves, tangled threads
Speech	Clear and memorable	Starting lines, ticking clocks, storms

For Stories

Narrative writing benefits from similes that reveal character emotion without directly explaining everything.

His fingers shook like loose branches in a winter wind as he reached for the door.

The reader can understand the character’s anxiety through the physical action.

For Poems

Poetry can use shorter, more symbolic comparisons.

Anxiety hung like fog,
soft at first,
then everywhere.

The image does not need to explain every detail.

For Essays

Academic or school writing usually benefits from clear, controlled comparisons.

Before the examination, her thoughts moved like traffic during rush hour, making it difficult to focus on one idea.

The comparison remains understandable while adding personality to the sentence.

For Dialogue

Dialogue should generally sound like something a person might actually say.

“My stomach feels like a washing machine,” she said before walking into the interview.

A conversational comparison can make the character sound more natural.

For Suspense

Suspenseful writing can use darker imagery.

The silence felt like a locked door waiting for someone to turn the handle.

This creates uncertainty without directly explaining what the character fears.

For Lighthearted Writing

Humorous similes can make mild nervousness entertaining.

He was as anxious as a squirrel carrying a sandwich through a dog park.

The exaggerated image creates humor while still communicating nervousness.

How to Create Your Own Anxious Similes

You do not have to rely only on prepared phrases. You can create original comparisons whenever you understand the emotional quality you want to express.

Start with a simple formula:

Anxious feeling + specific quality + familiar image

For example:

Anxiety + restless movement + trapped bird

This can become:

Her anxiety fluttered like a trapped bird searching for an open window.

Try another:

Anxiety + pressure + stretched object

This becomes:

His nerves felt like a rubber band stretched almost to its limit.

You can also use a situation:

Anxiety + uncertainty + unfamiliar road

This becomes:

Her uncertainty felt like driving down a road with every sign turned backward.

The goal is not to make the comparison complicated. The goal is to find an image that captures the specific character of the anxiety.

Ask Five Questions

When writing a new simile, ask:

1. What does the anxiety feel like?
2. What moves, sounds, looks, or behaves that way?
3. Can the reader easily picture it?
4. Does it match the emotional intensity?
5. Does it sound natural in the sentence?

If the answer to all five is yes, the simile is likely to work well.

Choosing Between Different Anxious Simile Styles

The same emotion can be described in completely different ways depending on your purpose.

A poetic simile may focus on atmosphere:

Her anxiety drifted like fog over a sleeping town.

A powerful simile may focus on pressure:

His nerves felt like a rope pulled to its final knot.

A funny simile may exaggerate the situation:

He was as nervous as a squirrel giving a presentation about nuts.

A modern simile may use familiar everyday experiences:

Her thoughts raced like notifications arriving faster than she could read them.

A simple simile may be best when clarity matters:

He was as nervous as a student before an important test.

There is no single style that works for every situation. The strongest choice depends on the tone, audience, character, and purpose of your writing.

Conclusion

The best similes for anxious feelings make an invisible emotion easier to see, understand, and experience. Instead of simply telling readers that someone feels nervous, worried, or overwhelmed, a strong comparison can show exactly what that emotion feels like. Whether anxiety resembles a storm gathering in the distance, a rope pulled too tightly, racing traffic, or a trapped bird, the right image gives your writing greater emotional depth.

When choosing an anxious simile, always consider the situation, tone, and intensity of the feeling. A gentle comparison may suit mild nervousness, while powerful imagery can describe overwhelming fear or tension. Keep your comparisons natural, specific, and easy to visualize. Avoid clichés and repeated images when a fresher comparison would make the sentence stronger. With thoughtful word choice, similes can transform ordinary descriptions into memorable writing that helps readers connect with the character, emotion, or situation.

FAQs

What is a good simile for anxious?

A good simile for anxious is “as tense as a rope pulled tighter with every second.” It clearly communicates growing nervousness and pressure. Other useful comparisons include anxiety being like a storm approaching, thoughts racing like traffic, or a nervous heart fluttering like a trapped bird. The best choice depends on the intensity and context.

What is a simile for feeling nervous?

A useful simile for feeling nervous is “as nervous as a bird hearing footsteps nearby.” It suggests alertness, uncertainty, and fear. You can also describe nervousness as being like a flickering candle, a stretched rubber band, or a runner waiting for the starting signal. These comparisons make nervous feelings easier for readers to visualize.

What is a good metaphor for anxiety?

A strong metaphor for anxiety is “anxiety is a storm inside the mind.” It suggests emotional turbulence, uncertainty, and difficulty finding calm. Unlike a simile, a metaphor directly identifies one thing with another rather than using “like” or “as.” Other possibilities include describing anxiety as a locked room, racing engine, or persistent shadow.

How do you describe anxiety in writing?

Describe anxiety by showing its physical sensations, thoughts, behaviors, and surroundings. For example, trembling hands, rapid thoughts, a tight chest, restless movement, or difficulty concentrating can communicate anxiety. Similes make these details more vivid, such as “her thoughts raced like cars through rush-hour traffic.” Specific sensory details usually create stronger descriptions.

What are some poetic similes for anxiety?

Poetic similes for anxiety can use imagery from nature, weather, darkness, and movement. Examples include “her fear drifted like mist across a sleeping valley” and “his worry gathered like rain beneath a silent cloud.” These comparisons create atmosphere while allowing readers to understand the emotion without stating it repeatedly.

What is a simile for overthinking?

A useful simile for overthinking is “his thoughts raced like bicycles downhill without brakes.” It suggests speed, repetition, and a lack of control. Other comparisons can describe thoughts as tangled wires, scattered papers, spinning wheels, or crowded intersections. Choose an image that matches whether the overthinking feels confusing, repetitive, overwhelming, or fast.

What is a simile for being anxious before an event?

A strong simile is “as nervous as a runner waiting for the starting signal.” It captures anticipation and uncertainty before something important happens. You can adapt the comparison to the situation by using a performer before a show, a student before an exam, or a traveler waiting for an unfamiliar departure.

How can I make an anxious simile more creative?

To make an anxious simile more creative, focus on the specific quality of the emotion before choosing an image. Decide whether it feels heavy, restless, fast, cold, loud, or uncertain. Then find an unusual object or situation with the same quality. For example, anxiety might become “like carrying a glass filled to the rim across a shaking floor.”

Can anxious similes be funny?

Yes. Funny anxious similes can use exaggeration and unexpected comparisons while keeping the emotional idea clear. For example, “as anxious as a squirrel carrying a sandwich through a dog park” creates a humorous picture of nervousness. These comparisons work particularly well in casual writing, comedy, dialogue, captions, and lighthearted storytelling.

Why are similes useful for describing anxiety?

Similes make anxiety easier to visualize and emotionally understand. Anxiety is an abstract feeling, so comparing it with something familiar gives readers a concrete image. A comparison such as “her thoughts fluttered like trapped birds” communicates restlessness and mental discomfort more vividly than simply saying she was anxious.