It’s one week into the new year, and the positivity I’m feeling is amazing. I’m proud to have left the negativity in 2021. Each day I arise with a purpose. That purpose is to live each day better than the next. I have come to realize that when I simply plan to accomplish one thing on my list of one million, I make things much more attainable and less stressful for myself. Many people overtax their minds by placing too many expectations on themselves based on what others need and by trying to compete with them. Instead of planning, they oftentimes procrastinate due to being overwhelmed. When realization sets in, the deadline has been missed and it appears that nothing has been accomplished.
From my perspective, this is how the mind plays tricks. If our mind is overworked it can cause us to become paranoid, anxious, and stressed. If we clear our minds from the clutter, focus on what’s in front of us; the things for US that matter, we will see success rather than failure. I noticed a long time ago that when I prioritized my “to do ” list, the stress level decreased and so did my anxiety and panic attacks. More often than not, the stress we place on ourselves is based on the need to please others versus the need to take care of oneself. Oftentimes we take on an additional task or add a date or event to our schedule for our mate or child knowing that we are already mentally overloaded; afraid to say no. We have to realize that people-pleasing can be seen as a need for people to like and accept us. When we are truly in love with ourselves, we rarely care what others think of us. Focusing on becoming our true selves is key. This reduces stress and gives us more time and patience to be our full selves and we still have the opportunity to be available to others.
Being serious about caring for our mental health is extremely important. This makes all of the difference in how we interact with our family, friends, co-workers, and others we come in contact with daily. It’s not enough to say, “I am in therapy”., or simply go to a counseling. We must actually do the work; look within ourselves and change what needs to be changed…BREAK THE CYCLE.
Nearly two years into COVID19 and we are looking bleak. We are doing all we can to hold on to the hope that we will get back to our normal way of life. The reality is more than likely, we are already in our NEW NORMAL. This frightens me. To be shut down again isn’t something I think we as a community can handle without the mental health piece being in order. Between the steadily increasing crime rate, the COVID numbers spiking, and the thought of being isolated again from our family and friends, WE ARE LOSING IT mentally. I watch my son, a Senior in high school, quickly slipping back into his “BUBBLE”. He is under pressure to excel in school in order to make final plans for college, while not being able to attend class. For him, he admittedly needs the classroom to stay busy and engaged. In addition, social gatherings, baseball, senior activities, etc. are being threatened and that is affecting him mentally. All of the solitude is not good for anyone, especially our teens. Many believe keeping our children virtual is a good idea for the physical health, however, mental health is extremely important also. We all need human contact to thrive. Our children are in dire need of emotional and mental support. We have to be careful of allowing the television and video game to take the place of human contact. This is where that VILLIAGE steps in. Sometimes, all it takes is to let a person know that you are there if they need you. Break the cycle. Save our children.
Dying to be Perfect 