What do you talk with yourself?
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This post is a
part of ‘Mindful Pursuit Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under
#EveryConversationMatters.
I was informed by my blogger friend Manali to
participate in this bloghop and I thank her for that. Since September 10th
is regarded as the World Suicide Prevention Day, I’m going to write about the
mental tussles or battles that we all fight every day. For some, it becomes
very intense pushing them to take the extreme step while for others it’s like
some mental noise that they’ve learned to deal with. Like our bodies, our minds
require decluttering of unnecessary things. In other words, our minds require cleansing,
and it should be very normal to do that. Asking for help from friends or a therapist
should be normalized.
Let’s first look closely at causes or sources of
generation of the mental battles.
1) In the era of social media where a lot of information
is accessible so easily, one gets easily trapped in the invisible chains
of comparisons. These comparisons are often irrational or unreasonable.
They can lead to the fear of missing out, thereby making someone do something
just to garner some engagements on social media.
2) We all must have heard about this saying, “An empty
mind is devil’s workshop.” On an average a person gets 6.5
thoughts per minute and these thoughts keep multiplying rapidly just like a
forest fire. When not controlled, it can lead to negative interpretations causing
depressions or self-doubt.
3) Unproductive use of social media leads to overindulgence
and waste of judicious time, thereby causing lack of focus or disruption of sleep
cycle. It can also generate a sense of guilt and incompetence.
4) Sometimes, it gets challenging to deal with personal
losses due to failure on personal or professional fronts, loss of any near or
dear ones unexpectedly or a heartbreak due to unexpected turn in any relationship.
5) Burnout from a busy work schedule which doesn’t
have any slot of reflection or pursuing something that makes you happy or
relaxed can cause a lot of mental troubles.
In all above situations, the question is what do you
talk with yourself? Do you believe in every thought that your mind produces or
choose to accept only those that seem to be positive ones? You should check
your thoughts, if they’re encouraging or critical ones. During such situations,
you should lend an ear to your own thoughts and emotions with empathy and patience.
For an introvert like me, it becomes even more difficult to share feelings with
others.
What have worked for me in my favour during such situations are –
Ø
Being
mindful of the present and taking one day at a time.
Ø
Counting
blessings regularly
Ø
Meditating
and believing in higher powers working favorably
Ø
Appreciating
the journey you’re into
Ø
Spending
some time in nature away from social media
Ø
Pursuing
hobbies that bring out the inner child in you
Ø
Believing
the impermanence of the situation
Ø
Journaling
every night
Ø
Making
physical exercises fun
Ø
Connecting
with like-minded people
Everyone’s journey is different unlike the question
paper we get in exams. When the journey is different, the speed with which we’re
navigating through this journey or the people we come across in this journey is
bound to be different. Before believing anything, we see or hear, we should at
least ask our mind about the verity of it. Life’s not a race we’re into, so
instead of rushing into any stage of life, just immerse yourself in the process
of it and make memories for life. Let’s embrace our unique journey of self-discovery
and existence!
Mental health has always been a taboo or less discussed topic. It can happen to
anyone at any point of time just like any other disease affecting our body. Dealing
with mental turmoil is an indication that our mind needs some rest or a little
more care just like our body. There’s nothing unusual or unconventional about
it. So, let’s just break any stigma around mental health and normalize seeking
help during such situations.
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All Rights Reserved!
Swati
Sarangi
15.09.2024
#MindfulPursuitBlogHop
I love your use of "unproductive" when taking about social media. It's wrong to say social media is all bad. For a lot of people, it is a genuine source of community. But not using it as a tool can be harmful. Your pointers on how to talk to yourself are great!
ReplyDeleteThis post beautifully captures the essence of mental health awareness.
ReplyDeleteThe reminder to declutter our minds, just as we do with our physical spaces, is so important. Your insights into social media comparisons and burnout resonate deeply in today’s fast-paced world.
Thank you for emphasizing mindfulness and self-compassion as key tools for navigating life’s challenges!
Good one. Everyone's life being very unlike the question paper in exams is one of the many metaphors that linger in the reader's mind.
ReplyDeleteGood pointers. I am not very fond of social media, but then excess use of any tool is harmful. I find my bliss in nature walks and exercise. I find watching birds, flowers and butterflies so therapeutic and such stress relievers.
ReplyDeleteYour tips are useful and the causes are bang on. But sometimes, esp during difficult times it's not easy to listen to or follow what the mind says. At such times, it's a good idea to visit a therapist for help or confide in a close friend. Indeed everyone's journey is different unlike the exam question paper.
ReplyDelete