NEVER MINDING THE JUDGEMENTS

Written by Andi Bazaar | June 3, 2022

I’ve been noticing a trend lately on social media where people are self diagnosing mental health illnesses or are using fancy jargon to label others as: Narcissistic, Gaslighting, Claiming ADHD/Anxiety etc.

Here’s the problem with that, so when we say things like, “____ is such a Narcissist they only think about themselves."

We have to ask questions such as, “in what context does this person seem to exhibit this self centeredness," or “does this happen often or only in reaction to someone else’s behavior?”

However, when adequately assessed by a mental health professional, receiving a diagnosis can be healing and validating since the professional is taught to listen to the individual’s experience and understanding the context of the issue also (hopefully) have a non-judgmental stance.

Mental Health diagnoses only show one side of someone’s story, it may speak to specific types of behaviors but without context it gives a limited understanding of who someone is. A person’s diagnosis cannot and should not only define them!

When we label people without the advice of a mental health professional, we can cause damage to ourselves and others. Self diagnosing mental illness may causes us to look at ourselves and or other people in black or white terms, act irresponsibly or devalue others.

Instead of being quick to label someone with a mental health diagnosis, remind yourself that:

• you might not have all the facts.
• labeling can sometimes dehumanize people.
• seeking out a mental health professional might be more helpful than self diagnosing.

"nothing is as chaotic as it seems, nothing is worth your health, nothing is worth poisoning yourself into stress, anxiety and fear"

Smile, breathe and go slowly. Worrying about things in the future doesn’t stop them from happening, it just takes away your happiness today.

We suffer more often in imagination than in reality, psychology says life is 10% what you experience and 90% how you respond to it.

"man is not worried about real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems." — Epictetus.

Do not let your difficulties fill you with anxiety, after all it is only in the darkest nights that stars shine more brightly.

If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment and live in the breath. Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows but only empties today of its strengths.

Practice the 4-4-4 breathing technique.

• inhale for a count of four
• hold for a count of four
• exhale for a count of four
• pause

Repeat 3 times in succession, remember to practice when calm too, so you develop a nice habit. Read books about discipline and thoughts, each person needs to find a daily routine and treatment approach and that works for them.

Self-help books that target anxiety management can also be a very useful part of the treatment journey.

Surround yourself with people who:

1. Believe in your dreams
2. Encourage your ideas
3. Support your ambitions
4. Bring out the best in you

Avoid people who:

1. Lie to you
2. Disrespect you
3. Use you
4. Put you down

Remind yourself that life is a journey, remember that what you are going through is temporary. It will pass, always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think also twice as beautiful as you’d ever imagined.

“the beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.”

Wrap Up:

1. Routine: Heal with the flow
2. Track: Document your journey
3. Willpower: Fight through events

Life changes with time, nothing ever remains same. Master your mind and master your life.

How To Create A Morning Routine That Reduces Anxiety and Stress

"Did you know that self-care rituals you practice in the morning can improve your mental health for the rest of the day?" — According to: Lee Chambers, Environmental Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant:

Morning routines are powerful and set our pattern for the rest of the day, so "how can you enhance your morning routine and maximize the rest of your day?" Here is how.

WAKE UP EARLY

Waking up early will give you enough time to prepare for the day, instead of rushing and yelling, you can work calmly because you have enough time. Start small and build up.

DRINK WATER

It is advised that you start your day by drinking a glass of water before your cup of tea or coffee, according to experts drinking water increases our cognitive function, allowing us more clarity of mind. This in turn can elevate our mood and energy, thus promoting a more balanced emotional regulation.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE

When you teach your brain to always look out for the positive things in life, you will eventually find yourself very calm and collected. Don’t allow negative thoughts to consume you every day, stepping out of that pattern of darkness first thing in the morning helps to get your day started on a positive note.

MANIFEST YOUR DAY

Start the day by claiming positive things, you will feel better when you affirm certain things and command the type of day you would like to have. Believe in it and most importantly believe and trust yourself, you are more than what you think about yourself.

A special thanks to The Me: You Can’t See and…

• Consulting by Dr Oliver Schofield
• Journalist by Clayton Euridicé Schofield
• Photographed by Benjamin Schenkkan Joseph