Journaling – Lifestyle-by-designs

A Lonely Brain

Posted on September 17, 2024September 15, 2024 by Lifestyle-by-designs

My lonely brain and how it worked to isolate me

Comprehending the neurological impact of loneliness is essential for effectively addressing it. The lonely mind often enters a self-reinforcing cycle, making it increasingly challenging to re-establish healthy social connections. One manifestation of this cycle is holding friends and acquaintances to unobtainable high standards. This behavior leads to frequent disappointments, reinforcing the belief that others will inevitably let you down. This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, further justifying the choice to withdraw from social interactions.

In times of isolation, the secluded mind frequently seeks justifications for its solitary existence. This behavior mirrors the psychological patterns observed in individuals suffering from depression, characterized by a distorted perspective that portrays their suffering as unique and incomprehensible to others. This limited viewpoint can further fuel feelings of isolation.

For instance, during my journey of extreme loneliness following my mother’s death, while in my forties, I clung to the irrational belief that no one else my age could fathom having a father restricted to a wheelchair and wanting to be closer to my mother dying of cancer. Back then, this conviction seemed unshakeable, but in the wake of my healing journey, it appears woefully narrow-minded. These beliefs, while illogical, served as an excuse for withdrawing from social interactions, propelling me further into the isolation of my career.

In my quest to break the cycle of loneliness, I journaled every day by identifying recurring patterns that were pivotal. Observing and writing about my lonely brain and comprehending its process led to a notable decrease in my self-loathing behavior. Recognizing that my experiences were not as unique as I had perceived was a crucial step. Gaining the perspective that others worldwide were enduring profound suffering empowered me to transcend isolation. I realized I could make a difference by serving both myself and others.

Healing a lonely brain from depression requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the emotional, physical, and social aspects of well-being.

Here’s a step-by-step process that served as a roadmap during my healing journey:

1. Acknowledge the Pain

Self-awareness: Accept that you’re feeling lonely and depressed. Denying it can create more stress and block the healing process.
Journaling: Write down your feelings daily to understand the triggers and patterns of loneliness.
Self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness, recognizing that healing is a process, and that feeling this way is valid.

2. Create a Supportive Environment

Declutter your space: A clean, organized living space can significantly improve your mental clarity and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Comfort zones: Create a dedicated cozy corner with comforting objects like books, candles, plants, and soft lighting where you feel safe and relaxed.
Reduce digital noise: Limit social media, which can sometimes amplify feelings of isolation.

3. Nurture the Brain with Physical Care

Physical activity: Engage in light physical activities like walking, stretching, or yoga. Exercise releases endorphins, which naturally improve mood.
Sleep hygiene: Develop a consistent sleep schedule, creating a nighttime routine that includes calming activities like reading or meditation.
Nutrition: Eat brain-healthy foods rich in omega-3, antioxidants, and fiber (salmon, berries, leafy greens, whole grains) to support mental clarity and energy levels.

4. Gradually Rebuild Connections

Start small: Engage in low-pressure social activities, like a phone call with a friend or attending a small, casual event.
Volunteering: Helping others can provide a sense of purpose and belonging. Look for local opportunities that align with your values or interests.
Community involvement: Consider joining a club, or support group, or attending events (like art or reading meetups) to meet like-minded individuals.

5. Cultivate Meaningful Habits

Practice mindfulness: Daily meditation, even for just 5–10 minutes, helps quiet the mind and fosters self-awareness.
Creative expression: Engage in activities like painting, writing, or playing music to channel emotions into a constructive outlet.
Positive routines: Build a daily routine that includes moments of joy, like a favorite hobby, spending time in nature, or listening to music.

6. Challenge Negative Thoughts

Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (CBT): Identify negative thought patterns and actively replace them with more balanced, positive thoughts.
Daily affirmations: Start the day with positive statements like, “I am worthy of love and connection” or “I am stronger than my feelings of loneliness.”

7. Professional Support

Therapy: Seek out a therapist, counselor, or support group specialized in depression or loneliness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or other talk therapies can be especially helpful.
Medication: If necessary, consult a healthcare professional about medication that can support your healing, especially if depression is persistent or severe.
Support networks: Surround yourself with a support team of friends, family, or mentors who can offer encouragement and a listening ear.

8. Find Purpose and Meaning

Goal-setting: Set small, achievable goals that give your days structure and purpose, whether it’s learning something new, starting a project, or making a personal breakthrough.
Spiritual practices: Engage in spiritual or philosophical exploration if it resonates with you, as this can help provide meaning beyond day-to-day struggles.

9. Create Time for Joy

Laughter therapy: Engage in activities or watch content that makes you laugh; laughter releases chemicals in the brain that help reduce depression symptoms.
Gratitude practice: Every day, write down 3 to 5 things you’re grateful for. This shifts focus away from negativity and train the brain to notice positive moments.

10. Be Patient with Yourself

Celebrate small victories: Acknowledge every step forward, no matter how small, and avoid self-criticism for setbacks.
Progress over perfection: Healing isn’t linear, and it’s okay to experience difficult days. Keep moving forward with kindness and persistence.

I hope this blog post helps you find a way out of your loneliness to joy.

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.”

Peace & Harmony, Cheryl

Uncategorized

Spiritual Well-Being

Posted on April 4, 2024March 30, 2024 by Lifestyle-by-designs

Stay On Track

In our everyday lives, we’ve got routines for everything, but we often forget to give our spiritual side the same attention.

In today’s fast-paced world, we tend to have routines for just about everything. We have a set route to work, a workout plan, and a daily schedule. But it’s surprising how creating a routine for meeting our spiritual needs often gets overlooked. We rush around to make it to appointments and fulfill our commitments. In our drive to be productive, our spiritual well-being often ends up taking a backseat.

Let’s be real, meditating or writing in a journal doesn’t exactly put food on the table or give us six-pack abs. With all the pressing stuff we have to deal with, it’s easy to wonder who the heck has time for that. But guess what? Taking care of our spiritual side is like the secret sauce that keeps us energized and grounded. When we nourish our souls, it’s like we unlock the superpower to keep our lives on the right path.

Meditation can be super helpful for staying calm and focused. Some folks only need to do it once a day, while others might find it more beneficial to spend up to 20 minutes with their eyes closed and their mind clear. It might sound like a lot of time to do nothing, but this state of nothingness is powerful for staying calm and focused, so you can get more done. Writing in your journal every day is another great way to stay connected with your thoughts and feelings.

If you want to live a happy and healthy life, you need to take care of your soul regularly. This means setting aside some time each day to do things that make you feel good, like spending time with loved ones, getting exercise, or reading a good book. When you take care of your soul, you’ll have more energy and enthusiasm, and you’ll be better able to handle life’s challenges. So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your life, start by taking care of your soul. It’s the best investment you can make.

Creating a daily routine to care for your soul can be a lifesaver when things go sideways. It helps keep you down-to-earth and connected to yourself during rough patches. Taking care of your spirit not only keeps you on track but also ensures that your life aligns with your soul’s desires.

Peace ♥ Harmony, Cheryl

inspirational, Journal Writing, Journey

Keeping a Creativity Journal

Posted on January 9, 2024 by Lifestyle-by-designs

One of the best ways to get creative is to try new things

There are many different kinds of journals. Some people write down their deepest thoughts and feelings every day. Others write a single poem or a few lines of an essay once a week, every few months, or whenever they feel like it. The best part about journaling is that there are no rules or restrictions. If you want to get your creative juices flowing, start a journal to record your inspirational thoughts and ideas, or to keep track of an artistic project.

Find a blank book that you like, with or without lines. It should be a color, size, and texture that appeals to you. You can also make your journal, designing a cover with drawings and photographs. The most important thing is to start journaling. Initially, you might want to schedule time for journaling each day. But even if you don’t, you know that your journal is there waiting for you when inspiration strikes.

One of the better ways to encourage creativity is to try new things. Don’t let your preconceived notions of what a “journal” should be get in your way. Anything too formal or linear is up for grabs when flying with your creativity flag:

write with your non-dominant hand
write in a different
Write in a different direction
Landscape orientation is a great start, diagonally, or even in a circle

When it comes down to it, you don’t have to write anything at all. You can draw, doodle, or paste a collage of images. The important thing is not to worry about your artistic skill, but to focus on expressing yourself. Anything fresh will help jumpstart your creativity: use different colored pens or pencils, fill your pages with colorful doodles, words from magazines that catch your attention, anything to keep you from thinking in the same old ways.

Your journal can be about any aspect of your creativity. You may or may not believe it at this moment, but there is no such thing as a “non-creative person”. A collection of fragments can be a place for you to store your dreams, a place to jot down brilliant ideas, or even the beginning of a larger creative project.

Don’t just put together a journal and forget about it. Every once in a while, take it off the shelf and read it as if you found someone else’s journal lying there (and that it was okay to look inside). You might be surprised by the inspiration you find.

Happy Journaling ♥

Journal Writing, Uncategorized

Posted on January 14, 2020January 13, 2020 by Lifestyle-by-designs

Teal Journal Writing

One of the best ways to relieve stress and process emotional issues is actually free, easy,-and it’s something you learned how to do in grade school. We’re talking about journaling.

The simple act of describing one’s feelings helps people to clear their minds, makes them less anxious, and makes them happier. So to make 2020 the year you pick up a journal again, here’s what you need to start.

[LEARN MORE: https://www.apa.org/writing ]

Find Your Journaling Routine

When it comes to creating a self-care ritual you’ll actually stick with, establishing a routine is key.

*Have a specific set time of day

*A place where you write

It’s about creating the rituals that work for you-there really is no wrong way to do this. There’s no bad, there’s just do. You have to be your own scientist and try to experiment with what works for you.

Focus on Feelings

When researchers talk about the benefits of writing for stress relief, they’re actually talking about something called “expressive writing,” putting down on paper positive or negative life experiences, rather than creating stories. Expressive writing is aimed at trying to understand and come to terms with difficult events in your life. Creative writing, in my mind, is playing with new ideas. While beginning to write may very well get your creative juices flowing, for maximum health benefits, focus your journal on events in your own life and explore your feelings around those events.

Carve Out 15-20 minutes

Simply write for 15-20 minutes to get a handle on the event, and your reactions to it. If trying to understand the stressful event isn’t helpful, you can work to look for some positive features of the event, or something positive that may come from it – There are lessons in everything we go through in life. I would also recommend using a timer to provide some structure to your free-writing.

Try a Prompt

Some people find it easier to begin writing when they are given a prompt that directs them to a topic, like writing assignments in high school when the teacher asked the class to describe their happiest or saddest childhood memories. I will sometimes use prompts to get my creative juices flowing, you can find plenty of websites dedicated to writing prompts.

Tag: Journaling