Mindfulness Practice

Some days, I wake up and I’m already in battle. Not with the world. Not with people. With my own thoughts. The ones that tell me I’m not enough. That I should have done more. That I’ve messed it all up—again. That everyone’s watching. Judging. Waiting for me to fail. It’s exhausting, isn’t it? To be your own biggest critic. To carry a war inside your head while trying to smile through the day. To look calm on the outside while your mind spins stories that feel so real, they make your stomach churn. I Used to Believe Every Thought If my mind whispered, You’re a disappointment , I’d nod in agreement. If it shouted, You’re not worthy of love , I’d retreat, make myself small, apologise for existing. I thought these thoughts were me . That they defined me. But I was wrong. Not every thought deserves my attention. Not every voice in my head speaks the truth. Sometimes, my thoughts are just echoes of old wounds—unhealed parts of me that resurface in moments of stress or fa...

When we talk about healing, it often feels like we’re preparing for a battle. “I’m healing so I can confront my trauma, face my pain, and wrestle my anxiety to the ground!” That sounds brave, sure, but let’s be honest: you’ve been doing that already. You’ve survived; you’ve fought. You’re not healing to keep enduring the struggle—you’re healing to reclaim joy, happiness, and the freedom to actually live your life. Mastering Chaos Pain? You’ve got it handled. Life throws its lemons, and you figure out how to keep going—maybe not with lemonade, but at least with lemon water (because who has time for sugar?). Anxiety? It’s like an old opponent whose tricks you know too well. Depression? It’s practically a terrible roommate—always there, eating your snacks and leaving everything in disarray. But joy? That’s the curveball. Happiness can feel sneaky, like it’s too good to be true. When you’ve been in survival mode for so long, feeling good can be... unsettling. It’s like putting on jeans aft...

It starts with a whisper, soft and low, A flicker of doubt, a seed to sow. A thought takes root, it twists, it climbs, Echoing fears, replayed countless times. Around and around, the circle spins, A battle within where no one wins. The mind’s a storm, the heart’s a drum, A cacophony rising, where silence won’t come. Each step forward feels like retreat, The ground unstable beneath your feet. What ifs and maybes form a chain, Binding the soul with invisible pain. The spiral tightens, it pulls, it draws, Gripping you fast in its ruthless claws. You reach for light, for air, for peace, Yet the current drags, it does not cease. But within the storm lies a quiet plea, A whisper of strength, “Come back to me.” The breath, a balm, the anchor’s hold, A moment of stillness, courageous and bold. With each exhale, the spiral unwinds, The space between thoughts gently defined. The storm may return, as storms often do, But each time, you’ll know—you can break through.

The Invisible Isolation: Lonely in a Crowd Loneliness has become the surprise guest no one invited to our hyper-connected world. You might be hanging out with friends, family, or colleagues, yet feel like you’re at a party where no one remembers your name. Yep, that’s "lonely in a crowd" for you—a feeling that’s less about headcount and more about heart-connections. Why Are We Lonely When We’re Not Alone? Loneliness isn’t about being alone (because hey, sometimes being alone is awesome). It’s the gap between the relationships you want and the ones you have. Even in a packed room, you might feel like an outsider looking in. Common culprits? Too much small talk, not enough soul talk. Hanging with people who just don’t get you. Social Media - scrolling through Insta-perfect lives can leave you feeling like you’re missing the memo. So What’s the Damage? Chronic loneliness isn’t just sad—it’s sneaky. It can mess with your stress levels, immune system, and even your self-esteem. Ba...

When Faith Hurts: Growing Up in a High-Control Religious Environment I grew up in a world shaped by strict rules and expectations. My sister and I were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses, though our parents weren’t part of the religion. Despite this difference, my parents were loving and supportive, encouraging us in our beliefs even when it was painful for them to watch. My mother, in particular, often stayed silent, though I could see the hurt in her eyes when our faith caused us to suffer. Living under the weight of these beliefs was challenging. As a teenager, I made choices that, by most standards, would seem ordinary. I went to a club. I kissed a boy. But in the world I knew, these actions were more than just harmless exploration—they were considered serious transgressions. The guilt was overwhelming. I was taught that my worth was tied to my behavior, and when I fell short, I believed I was unworthy of love and forgiveness. At 16, I reached a breaking point. I was consumed by the bel...

Anxiety Isn’t a Choice—It’s a Trauma Response (And Sometimes It Feels Like a Full-Time Job) Ah, anxiety. That uninvited house guest who shows up at the worst possible moments, like during a job interview, at a romantic dinner, or when you're trying to fall asleep. You didn’t choose it. You didn’t send it an RSVP. And yet, here it is, unpacking its bags and reminding you of every awkward thing you’ve ever said since 1997. Fun, right? Let’s clear something up from the start: Anxiety isn’t like picking out what toppings to put on your pizza. Nobody stands in the kitchen, going, “Hmm, should I have extra cheese or a full-blown panic attack about something that happened five years ago? Decisions, decisions!” No, anxiety isn’t a choice—it’s a trauma response, a survival mechanism that’s gone rogue, like a malfunctioning fire alarm that goes off when you’re just toasting bread. Trauma: The Gift That Keeps On Giving Trauma is like that one friend who still talks about their high school glo...

How Many Times Can a Person Say “It Is What It Is”? Ah, the ubiquitous phrase “It is what it is.” It rolls off the tongue effortlessly in moments of resignation, acceptance, or when you just can’t be bothered to explain why your day went sideways. But how many times can a person really say it before it loses all meaning—or, better yet, before you realize it’s become your life’s motto? Let’s dig in, tongue firmly planted in cheek. When Do We Say It? 1. The Coffee Spill at 8 a.m. You’re balancing your coffee, your phone, and your bag, and suddenly, your white shirt gets an unsolicited caffeine makeover. You stare at the stain, sigh deeply, and mutter to yourself: “It is what it is.” Translation? You’ve surrendered to the universe’s cruel sense of humor. 2. At Work, Every. Single. Day. Did your boss just drop a last-minute deadline on you? Did a coworker “forget” to copy you on that important email? Cue the phrase, because nothing else can mask the exhaustion quite like it. 3. The Holiday...

The (Slightly Anxious) Art of Showing Up They say courage is not about roaring like a lion; sometimes, it’s just about whispering, “Fine, I’ll go.” This rings especially true when life throws you into situations where control is as elusive as Wi-Fi at a family gathering in the middle of nowhere. I recently stumbled across this nugget of wisdom: “The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it's about the courage to show up when you can't predict or control the outcome.” Let’s talk about that for a moment, shall we? Imagine you're standing at the edge of a metaphorical cliff. Below you is a vast, swirling sea of uncertainty. The choices? Leap in (vulnerable and scared out of your socks) or stay put (comfortably stuck and missing out). Here's the kicker: showing up—with all your quirks, fears, and yes, your slightly sweaty palms—is the ultimate brave act. Vulnerability Is Awkward, But Worth It Let’s not sugarcoat it: vulnerability feels awkward. It’s like ...

 Let’s Talk About Imposter Syndrome Imposter Syndrome. It sounds like a rare disease you’d catch on a deep-sea expedition, but it’s far more common—and no deep diving is required. It's that nagging feeling that you're just one wrong move away from everyone realising you're a fraud. Whether you're a student, a seasoned professional, or even the world’s best pancake flipper, Imposter Syndrome doesn’t discriminate. It’s the great equalizer of self-doubt, whispering, “Are you sure you’re qualified to be here?” Spoiler: You are. But let’s unpack this sneaky little brain gremlin with a bit of humor, shall we? Symptom #1: The "I Just Got Lucky" Mindset You nailed that presentation, but instead of basking in glory, you're thinking, “Eh, it was just good timing.” Your inner dialogue sounds like: "I just got lucky!" "The Wi-Fi didn't glitch, that's why it worked!" "Anyone could’ve done it.” Sure, luck plays a role in life, like findi...

When Anxiety Takes Over It’s a regular Sunday night. I'm lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to will myself to sleep. Then it hits. My heart starts racing, my mind starts spiraling, and suddenly I'm  replaying every awkward moment I've ever had. Sleep? Forget it. I'm now hosting a 2 a.m. anxiety party, and my brain has invited every worry I've ever had. We’ve all been there, right? That overwhelming sense of dread sneaks in uninvited, turns the volume up on every worry, and leaves you wondering why your brain can’t just chill.