11 Mar Treat yourself to hugs!
Winter, anxiety and sad (seasonal affective disorder) that started hitting me when I was a teenager, plus the random lemons that life throws, felt very overwhelming. Before being aware of having any of that, over the years I have tried cutting myself, smoking, alcohol, drugs and excess to feel better, I just wanted the dread to go away, and to wake up wanting to get up. Surprise, surprise, that didn’t work. Went to the doctor and after finding out what I was dealing with, I read tons about how there’s no magic pill for anxiety. But it had started affecting my everyday life, so I decided to try something that literally could not cause harm, side effects or hangovers: meditation.
Patience and acceptance towards myself and others. I’ve never been a very patient person. When I used to try something new, if I wasn’t good at it, within the first few attempts pretty soon I’d quit trying. And after that I would feel bad for quitting, and would believe I wasn’t good enough. Most days I am terrible at meditating. My mind rarely shuts up and it’s frustrating. But after 2 years of meditating on and off, I try to let myself be dreadful at it and smile about it. What is now important is that I took 15 minutes of my day to be completely selfish and look after myself. I tried to give myself a break from all the crap that’s going on outside, cause I deserve a break too! What if my mind didn’t go quiet today? Whatever, tomorrow might be better, and that’s a reason good enough to not quit trying. It’s like giving myself a mental hug, and I can do it as often as I want. Treat yourself to hugs! I’m also more patient in general, I get angry a little less often and don’t snap at small things as much. If someone is rude or angry I try to tell myself that they might be having a bad day, or going through a rough period, and try to not take it personally. Some days I’m not patient, and that’s ok too.
I tried a lot of meditation apps, and the guide’s voice in Aware was the one I found the most calming. Also all the different types of themes you can pick! I tried the quit smoking one, and that helped me be 59 days smoking free today! Whoop whoop!
Do it in the morning. Harder to skip, and feels good to do something good for myself as soon as I wake up. Sets the mood for the day and prepares me to be patient with the lemons I might be thrown at today!
After meditating, sometimes I felt confused about it, angry, frustrated and like it didn’t ‘work’. But when I skip days now I feel like something is missing. I would rather do a session that doesn’t feel beneficial than not doing it at all. It is always beneficial. Keep on trying 💪
If you suffer from any mental health struggle, remember that it gets better. It’s worth telling your doctor, or someone you trust. You’re not alone and you can get help. You are worthy of love, and if anyone ever makes you feel like you’re not, they are not worthy of yours. Also, it takes balls to ask for help. I promise you, you have them. Be proud of it.
PS: If you suffer from anxiety-
I got tired of anxiety cause it made me stop doing things I knew I’d love to try/do. So right now, every time I’m unsure whether to do something cause the thought of doing it makes me anxious, but I would like to do it, I try to automatically just do it. So far I went to a gig on my own and I was so nervous but I had the best time! I felt free and strong! Next thing I’m planning to try is go to a sober rave cause I love dancing like nobody’s watching!
Now for example I’m really anxious about submitting what I’m writing now. But you are reading it, so it worked 🙌
Patricia Bencofe
Posted at 14:01h, 11 MarchWow! I can relate to her so much. She gives me courage to open my heart out too.
I have been struggling with severe anxiety and nothing has been as helpful as meditation. Even after a year, there are some moments that are so scary that I have almost replaced anxiety with fear of anxiety now. I hope I overcome that too one day.
I don’t want to live my life with fear anymore.
Ketty
Posted at 14:02h, 11 MarchInspiring! Kudos lady, you’re a fighter.
Know that you’re strong, very strong and you’re a blessing for all of us.