The only way to truly heal is to embrace your past. To acknowledge it, work through it, and accept to it. Ignoring it won’t help, and hoping it will go away is just wishful thinking.

This is a hard process, and one that must be repeated often. But the result are worth it.

In this episode I share how writing therapy has helped me to relieve some of the inner pressure. I cover some of the problems and pitfalls of using writing therapy to address trauma. I also share two pieces of writing therapy, the poem ‘Flash Back’, as well as a short essay ‘What is a dream?’.

We are a product of our environment. Our values, beliefs and societal norms are just a construct of the time and place we are born.

Historical events cause societal shifts. War, revolution, natural disasters and disease change the people experiencing them. When those people reintegrate with society, the entire society is transformed.

We are in the middle of an unprecedented global event. In this episode of The Reality Check Podcast, I discuss how our shared experience may transform the foundations of global society.

Clutter is depressing and anxiety inducing.

Unfortunately anxiety and depression often leads to disorganisation and indecision, which causes the accumulation of more clutter.

This is cyclic.

In this episode I discuss the connection between mental health and our environments, as well as ways that we can take positive action in the face of mental illness and mess.

There is a certain romanticism to revolution: overthrowing tyranny, destruction of the systems of corruption, bringing fairness and equality to the oppressed masses.

Unfortunately the reality is violent, chaotic and unpredictable; often with completely undesirable outcomes for most people involved in the revolt.

I am concerned for society. There is so much hate and distrust, perpetuated by communications technology that punishes nuance and rewards soundbites and appeals to emotion.

In this episode I discuss this issue, and what we can to combat it.

When 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.

People will profit from Covid-19. They will use this situation to their advantage. This is what people have always done.

It doesn’t mean they created the virus, and it doesn’t mean there is a conspiracy. All it means is that people are opportunistic.

Governments included. We will see an expansion of powers, and thus a contraction of freedoms.

In this episode I deconstruct the conspiracy theories and discuss the personal impact of our governments response to the crisis.

It is all to easy to look at the end result of someones life and believe that they had it easy, and that they knew where they were going.

We are blessed with hindsight and detachment.

Every successful person has their cross to bear. Most had no idea that they would make it to the heights that they did.

What does it take to keep going? How do you know that you are on the ‘right path’?