Mission

What Are Paper Tigers?

Our ancestors were pre-programmed to make two kinds of mistakes—to think there was a tiger in the bushes when there was none and to think there wasn't one when there actually was. The cost of the first mistake was needless anxiety, but the cost of the second was much worse. We evolved to make the first mistake a thousand times just to avoid making the second mistake once.

Fear, in that sense, can be our friend. It has the power to keep us safe.

However, most of the time, the threats we encounter are smaller and more manageable than we have built them up to be in our minds. They are just paper tigers—false threats that look scarier than they are. When you are surrounded by safe people in a safe place, you can make friends with a paper tiger and gain the courage to face any challenge that comes your way.

Our Mission

At Paper Tiger, we believe in the power of stories and resources that reflect the raw, unfiltered experiences of life. 

We aim to:

  • Craft authentically imperfect stories that resonate with anyone facing anxiety.
  • Inspire our readers, young and adult, to recognize their unique traits and discover their inner strength. 
  • Invite others into the community in collective support of one another.

We know there is a strength in vulnerability, in sharing stories that may not fit the perfect Instagram mold. We believe in the power of authentic imperfection, of weaving narratives that capture the complexities of life with anxiety.

Our aim is to provide resources and a sense of community that resonates not just with individuals, but with entire families, nurturing a shared understanding and acceptance.

We see our daily struggles as paper tigers, challenges that may seem impossible but are more manageable than they appear.

So welcome, take a deep breath, and know that you are not alone in this challenging journey.

Who is Paper Tigers For?

1 in 3 mothers struggle with anxiety, and their children are more likely to struggle with anxiety as well.

Anxiety can be a real struggle, and it turns out that it affects a significant number of mothers out there. Recent studies have shown that anxiety disorders affect as many as 27 percent of mothers, which is a staggering number. But it gets even more concerning when you consider that children of mothers with anxiety disorders are themselves significantly more likely to suffer from anxiety. The strongest effect is seen in mothers with generalized anxiety or social phobia. This research underscores just how important it is for mothers to prioritize their mental health and seek help when they need it.