a short guide on how to live - even when your brain doesn't want to

1. Acceptance - end the stages of grief, you've suffered enough

Say that to your emotions. Accept that you feel what you are feeling, whether it be sadness, anger, or the absence of all emotions. See them and see yourself.

2. "I need you"

Accept that you need help. And that is okay. In fact, that is what everyone deserves. You cannot win this battle without others and humanity has never evolved alone. Help doesn't have to come from someone trained, anyway, help can be found in family, friends, even strangers. Talk. That is how every journey begins. 

Don’t keep it inside. Like releasing energy, take that sadness and add it to the dinner table. It won’t sour the meal. It’s adds diversity to the plates. Whether a stranger or a loved one. 

3. You are not going to die. 

Put that into your head - whatever happens, you will most likely live. You are here to stay. Only fate decides when you go. 

4. Cry

Sadness is energy building up in your body. Release it. Walk. Hit something. Stretch. Move. Cry. Release energy

5. Forgive yourself, let your body move forward

You aren’t in the best of mind when your brain is sick. Forgive yourself for being ill

It will pass. There was a time where you weren’t feeling bad. You know it. 

Do not scold yourself for intense feelings. Self love and acceptance is what carries the body forward. Harsh criticism and self loathing can push you forward but you degrade yourself in the long run, and you will never be happy unless you bleed. 

6. You are not lesser for being this way

Remember that you are valued and loved for your entirety. Being 'sick' doesn’t mean unlovable. And if you feel unloved, it’s because you haven’t shared your wholeness to others. You haven’t let them taste what you can create. 

You can make it better. It takes time and practice, but you will find something so that next time it is not as intense. 

7. Do not feed the beasts that hunger for your misery

The only distraction should be yourself. Social media, scrolling, is a numbing cream. You’ll find an echo chamber that amplified your sadness to an unbearable degree. 

On that note, be present. The now is where you can find peace. The now is where it hurts, sadly, however it is the only place you will find an answer. 

8. The fuel you nourish yourself with is an important investment 

Nourish yourself with water. Nine times out of ten my depression was spiked because I didn’t drink any water.

Check your vitals - blood tests can determine which deficiencies may be causing you to hurt. Look at what nutrients are entering your world.   

You shouldn’t heal for someone else’s sake. Heal for your own. That is the only person that will decide if you thrive or rot. Nobody else has that total control.