Join Zachary Phillips on an odyssey into his mind as he shares his lived experience with mental illness, the recovery process, and pursuit of happiness through authentic vulnerable expression.
It’s okay to not be okay… but is it okay to be okay? Are we romanticising mental illness? What can we do to best safeguard our ongoing mental health?
In this episode I muse on these questions, as well as break down the come down from Christmas season…
Read MoreIt’s that time of year again, when people like me find themselves conflicted by the festive season. On the one hand I want to enjoy myself, but on the other hand I feel overwhelmed by it all.
In this episode I discuss how I am managing to survive (and hopefully thrive) this Christmas.
I also talk about generational trauma - focusing on what it is, and why it is almost impossible to completely break the cycle.
Read MoreAm I starving or full? What am I actually craving to eat? When should I stop? And why does it feel like love and food are intertwined?
Recovering from trauma is a long and complex. My current, and longest, battle is around re-establishing the mind-body connection. I want to be know what I am feeling and what those feelings actually mean.
To do this I will be counting-calories. Not to lose weight, but to teach myself what the feelings that arise actually mean - without the added fear, anxiety and ignorance. Please help me to stay on track with this!
Read MoreIn this episode I discuss the impact of over-analysing emotions of others and how excessively reading into tone/facial expressions/word choice can lead to the exact opposite outcomes from what was intended.
I also discuss my positive experiences with the initial stages of EMDR…
Some of my responses to the current state of political turmoil engulfing the United States, as well as the potential flow on impacts for the rest of the world….
Read MoreI am not in the best way ATM, but unlike previous times I have felt this way I have made a different choice.
Rather than choosing to inebriate myself, I chose not to. I recognised how I would feel during and after the inebriation, and how I have previously felt and made a different choice.
So now I have been left to sit with the pain, but also to recognise that my pain won’t last (because it never lasts).
I can take good actions:
- I followed my crisis plan
- Undertook self-care
- I prioritised my mental health
- I focused on the good
Christmas can force us to spend time with people we otherwise wouldn’t. This can produce a level of anguish, triggers, and awkwardness; all resulting in a diminished mental state.
Fortunately there are ways that you can guard your mental state in order to survive the coming week.
I’m Coming For You - Poem
Reflections of the Self: The Poetry, Insights and Wisdom of Silence - Out now
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Navigating trauma isn’t easy. Not for the person suffering, nor for the people around them.
When triggered, I am faced with an overwhelming gush of emotionality. I feel afraid. I feel like I am reliving the past trauma. This can cause me to act in a way that seems selfish - I will lash out, require comfort or alone time. I can seem angry and ungrateful - Despite this, I need the support of those close to me.
Open and honest communication is key.
In this episode, I read and dissect my poem 'I Over Thought It & Hurt My Own Feelings,’ and discuss how you can help someone who has been triggered.
As a response to trauma, we may dissociate.
This is a defence mechanism, one that keeps us safe from the terrors of the moment. It blocks us off from reality and keeps us safe.
Unfortunately, this process can run rampant, triggering itself in times of safety and peace, leaving us confused and unable to understand what is happening or explain it to ourselves or others.
In this episode I read and dissect my poem ‘How Do I Explain This Feeling’.
Read MoreWhen you get triggered it can feel like the world is ending, like all your past trauma is happening simultaneously.
In this episode I discuss how it feels for me, as well as what I do about it in the moment and over the long term.
Read MoreLooking at Coronavirus through the lens of collective trauma will help us to manage the crisis - both internally and communally.
We are all going through something new, unique and scary. We don’t have complete information, and we are seeing people lose their freedoms, livelihoods and lives.
This is traumatic, and is causing us to act and respond in a compromised way.
In this episode I discuss the importance of mentally re-framing as a way to maintain our mental states and relationships.
Read MoreWhen you are triggered, you feel like the trauma is happening again.
This is never an easy situation to manage. Whilst triggered, you will experience intense emotions combined with a diminished ability to cope.
This can lead to catastrophe.
In this episode I discuss how I manage my triggers, both internally, as well as how I explain it to those close to me.
Self care is not simply ‘feeling good in the moment’ - It is about real and long term growth. It is about establishing discipline, getting therapy, reaching out for help, diet, exercise and meditation.
Ask yourself ‘will this action help me in both the short and long term?’
I always felt out of place growing up, both socially as well as internally - I would feel the need to ‘act to fit in’. The problem was that this act wasn’t me, and it wasn’t sustainable.
Clearly I did not have a secure attachment. The fear and neglect I faced growing up has ramifications to this day.
In this episode I explore these impacts - both on myself as well as on how I parent.
Topic: Neglect is the absence of something. When it comes in terms of physical needs (food, water, shelter etc) the consequences are immediately obvious. However, when it is emotional neglect, and attention neglect, the ramifications are often hidden. In this episode I discuss these ramifications as well as what I am doing to overcome them.
Book Chapter: ‘Learn How To Learn’ (00:12:50) ch:4.2 of How To Get Your Sh!t Together
“Learning how to learn is life’s most important skill.” – Tony Buzan
Click Through To Listen
Two days ago, I experienced the worst PTSD flashback of my life. It was of an intensity that far exceeded anything that I have ever experienced before in my life.
Click here to listen to this episode
Look after yourself as a matter of priority this Christmas.
The added social and financial pressure of this time of year can be the tipping point for those of us with mental illness or a history or trauma.
In this episode I discuss why this happens, and what you can do to manage yourself this festive season!
This episode has three parts:
1) I give a preview reading of my next blog post titled “If someone opens up about their trauma - believe them!”
2) I answer three Patreon supporter questions
3) Updates on the progress of How To Get Your Sh!t Together, as well as some other housekeeping.
Enjoy!
Read More"When you open up and start to talk about your traumatic experiences, a few things will happen.
More memories will come flooding in and that may become overwhelming. In addition, people will react differently to what you will expect. Some will be supportive and will share their own experiences, while others will disbelieve what you say..."
Read More"Writing has been one of the most therapeutic things that I have done. I started with poetry, but quickly moved into a longer format of fiction and blogs, culminating with a book ..."
Read More
This is shadow work with a twist.
- Featuring -
12 exclusive guided audio tracts, introspective contemplations, expansion challenges, & email coaching.
Read more about the course here.
