Is it possible to see the world objectively, to understand events as another does, to truly empathise, and to step outside of ourselves?

We are blinded by our bias; our upbringings, religions, parents, education, gender, age and ethnicity.

These things will dictate what we believe, and how we interoperate new information, and thus how we perceive and act upon the world.

Everybody’s life has unique challenges, but no matter where we find ourselves, there are still positives to embrace, along with the realisation that it could be worse.

In this episode I discuss how contemplating darkness has helped me to better see the light, and how it could help you as well.

Today I am going to share the financial side of my online work, breaking down the profit’s made against hours spent working.

I hope to show you the growing success, as well as highlight how all of what I am doing here is clearly a passion project.

My ongoing hope is to create the resources (books, blogs, podcasts, teachings) that I wish had have existed when I needed it most, and to destigmatise mental illness, trauma and the recovery process.

Optimal performance is found in the balance between action and rest.

I have learnt my limits and have come up with an approach that enables me to be hyper-productive, without burn out.

In this episode I breakdown my approach.

I have long since struggled to find the right diagnosis, as well as with the concept of a diagnosis it self.

Not only can a diagnosis be prescriptive and limiting, it can also be given incorrectly. There is a massive crossover between the symptomologies, and some specialists have a tendency to over diagnose to the affirmative of their area…

Over the last couple of weeks, my mental state has taken a turn for the worse.

In this episode I break down what has happened & why, as well as discuss what I am doing to mend.

We are in unprecedented times, so it makes sense that you may be also struggling.

Mindfulness Meditation is the act of purposefully paying non-judgmental attention to the present moment.

To begin meditation, focus on the sensations of your breath. When you notice that you are distracted, gently return your focus back to the breath. Sounds simple enough, however, the beginning meditator quickly runs up against a plethora of questions, concerns and insights.

This talk aims to inform and empower all who wish to start a successful mindful meditation practice.

Active self-care is vital to maintain functionality. Last week was a struggle for me, so I decided to take some action.

We are living in tumultuous times.

The impacts of Covid aside, we are facing social disruptions and protests.

The Black Lives Matters movement, Trump and issues like wealth disparity have resulted in an increasing number of people to call for a revolution; to take action to tear it all down.

This is my response to those calls.

Trauma, neglect and abuse leave lasting scars upon individuals and families. It is generational - what happens to the child is often repeated when they become the adult.

The cycle can be broken of course, but with out therapy and a lot of work it likely wont.

*Extreme trigger warning on this episode

Coffee is a drug, but unlike prescription medication it’s not given any respect. This despite the fact that we consume it to alter our mental states.

I practice ‘strategic caffeination’ - specifically choosing when to use it, and abstaining at other times - just as I would with all drugs.

Coffee is a useful tool, but over use reduces its effectiveness and causes anxiety.

I need to learn to be okay with failure. To accept my own imperfections and to let things go.

Doing so will enable me to take risks and try new things. There is a risk that it won’t turn out well, but to not take the chance is far worse.

Whats the alternative? To live out my life, never leaving the comfortable rut?

The page listens. It doesn’t judge. It can be discarded.

Alongside meditation, exercise and self-care, writing therapy is a central part of my mental health management.

In this episode I break down my process, and teach you how to do it yourself.

Changing medications has highlighted the potential (& extreme) range of my moods. Over the course of a day I went from depressed to hyper-sexual.

In this episode I discuss my challenges with emotional variability as well as the ways I am managing my medication.

The life we have now is distinctly different than the one we were promised.

Job security and income levels are down the drain, education leaves us crippled by debts, people are rioting and the planet is warming. Our leaders seem incompetent and corrupt.

And our lower backs hurt.

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’.

Protesters are on the streets and people are rioting. Police are out in force.

Clearly something needs to change, but will it? Will the passion, anger and outrage over George Floyd's death result in real world change? Or will it die out, only to be reignited following another similar tragedy?

In this episode I explore the causes and results of racism, and dissect the impact of the medias twisting of the narrative to pander to their viewers bias.

I discuss if it is even possible for a ‘privileged’ person to truly empathise and understand systemic racism, and suggest that the changes that are needed may realistically take a long time to be implemented.

When 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.