Wandering mindless through the motions of everyday life; the things that must get done and must be…
By: Brooke Chew
Tags: Meditation, Love Yourself, Mental Health, Self Love, Mental Health Awareness

Wandering mindless through the motions of everyday life; the things that must get done and must be accomplished whether it’s for our children, our finances or ourselves. What on that long list of to do’s is for you? What is on there that will mentally and/or physically recharge you? Maybe nothing, maybe you don’t know. Let me put this clear and simple, YOU MUST TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Yes, I am yelling at you. I am exerting energy onto you that I don’t exert onto many people. If you do not take care of yourself you will BURN OUT. Burn out is a scary term that can lead to darker and scarier terms such as anxiety and depression. I have had and still struggle with both. It is a rapid snowball effect and by the time you catch it, it may be too late. On a positive note, you’re here, reading this and I will now give you tools to prevent it. Congratulations on the first step to taking care of yourself!

You have probably seen articles just like this one, but please please please for your own sake continue to read because I promise I am adding beneficial tips and tricks to assist you.

Why do I care so much about your well-being and mental state? Well, the more mentally healthy, charged and positive human beings that are on this Earth, the better chance that it won’t end in violence, doom and gloom. So pass this on to others and let’s be the light and positivity we all need.

Disclaimer: I am no doctor of any sort. I have personally struggled with burn out, anxiety, and depression and have used all of these tools to help me get through. I hope this helps others.

Meditate. I know you’ve heard this before but I bet you haven’t heard just how many different ways you can meditate. There is the basic clear your mind and focus on your breathing meditation that works wonders, but so do many others. All types of meditations take practice just like anything else you will ever do in life; but this is more difficult. It is more difficult because it is a mental thing and it is going against everything your brain knows and does best, which is think. Practice, practice, practice and give yourself GRACE. A couple of ways that I have meditated and grown to love are:

-visualization: I visualize sitting in a big open field, warm sun on my face and watch the clouds pass by. In this meditation I use the clouds to represent my thoughts. I acknowledge that they are there and present and let them pass by because that is all they are, are thoughts. Acknowledge them and move away from them. Definitely easier said than done, but practice and grace!

-music: Piano, ambient music, guitar, worship any type of music that draws you in and most importantly gives you good feelings! Don’t you DARE turn on sad music. Sit, listen and sway to the music with your eyes closed and practice going down a list of all things you’re grateful for if nothing comes to mind then be grateful for the fact you’re able to listen to music. Gratefulness literally rewires your brain and after practicing enough it helps the positivity flow much more easily.

-talking/journaling: wait.. what? Well, this may not technically be defined as meditation but you will reap the benefits. Sometimes in life we all just need to vent. Whether you believe in a greater power or maybe just connecting with the universe or maybe nothing at all just open your mouth, use your voice and speak everything on your mind. Get it all out, take a deep breath, deep breath out and let it go. You can do the same with journaling but talking out loud to yourself may be a bit more uncomfortable. After you have done this breathe in the new positivity and breathe out all the old negative thoughts on your mind and let them go because they are only thoughts.

2. Turn OFF the sad music. Sad music in times is good for a big cry but then you MUST turn it off for sanity sake. I know you may be appalled by the thought, but I HAVE BEEN THERE. All I would listen to is sad music because I connected to it and it made me feel something other than nothing. Do not get stuck in this rut. Find some old throwbacks or whatever you want that will make your heart a little bit happier! It may be so difficult to listen to and you may even turn it off after a couple of seconds. That’s okay, just don’t turn on your sad music. I challenge you to even get up and have a small (or large) dance party to HAPPY music. You moving your body will increase your happy hormones and can help release adrenaline that’s been needing to escape. A couple of seconds each day can be your starting point.

3. Start each morning with affirmations. You may be reluctant to doing this, I was and felt foolish when I did. Now, after doing affirmations for years I can say the benefits are worth the uncomfortable beginning feelings of staring at yourself in the mirror and saying things you don’t believe are true. I am beautiful. I am smart. I am confident in myself and my abilities. I can do this. I am proud. I’ve got this. I am strong. I am enough. I am not afraid. It is absolutely mind blowing what we can trick our minds into thinking. For years I tricked myself into thinking I wasn’t good enough and wasn’t smart or worthy of love. I have now found love, I know for a fact I am more than enough and get this, I am smart! Maybe just not in the way that school defines it. You are on this Earth for a reason and there is no other person like you. Embrace YOU! Love you and cherish you because I know for a fact others do, whether it be the person you smiled at or helped in the store. Rewire your brain with the truth of just how amazing you are and slowly but surely, you will see it.

There are hundreds of ideas to help you feel better mentally. Hot showers, getting ready, doing something you loved as a child, etc. I shared three that have helped me the most in my years of struggle with mental illnesses. Everyday is not a good day and these are not the magic cure. They take time and effort and stepping out of your comfort zone. Please, if not for yourself then do it for the world. Give yourself positivity and radiate positivity for others. You are loved, so love yourself. Life has so many challenges and can be so difficult so why are YOU making it more difficult on YOU? You deserve nothing but the best, so give it to yourself. Take care of your body and mind. It loves you, so love it back. Practice, and never give up. You’ve got this.

-With love always,

Brooke