I always find January to be a bit of a mixed bag.

On the one hand, it’s a fresh start and a new year full of potential and possibility. But on the other hand, it can be a tough month weather-wise (at least in my part of the world) with cold temperatures and often gloomy days. It’s also a time when many people are trying to stick to resolutions and make changes in their lives, which can be challenging.

Resolutions are promises or commitments that an individual makes to themselves, usually at the start of a new year, to make positive changes or improvements in their life. These changes may be related to personal goals, such as improving physical or mental health, or professional goals, such as advancing in a career or starting a new business. Resolutions are often made with the intention of creating a better or more fulfilling life for oneself.

I find it interesting that we usually tend to make resolutions around the new year.

There are a few possible reasons why we tend to think about resolutions around New Year:

1. The start of a new year is a natural time for reflection and goal-setting. It is a time when we can look back on the past year and assess what we have achieved and what we want to achieve in the coming year.
2. New Year’s resolutions are often associated with cultural traditions and rituals. Many people make resolutions as part of their New Year’s celebrations, and it has become a common practice to make resolutions at this time of year.
3. New Year’s resolutions often serve as a way to motivate and inspire people to make positive changes in their lives. The start of a new year is a fresh start and can be a great time to set goals and make positive changes.
4. The start of a new year can be a time of transition and change, which can encourage people to think about their goals and resolutions. This may be especially true for those who are entering a new phase of their lives, such as starting a new job, moving to a new place, or getting married.

Why should one make resolutions?

1. Resolutions help to set specific goals and intentions for the year ahead.
2. Taking resolutions can help to improve one’s personal and professional life by providing direction and motivation to make positive changes.
3. Resolutions can help to improve self-discipline and accountability, as one is more likely to follow through on their commitments if they are written down and specific.
4. Setting resolutions can be a good way to celebrate the start of a new year and reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and areas for improvement.
5. Taking resolutions can be a helpful tool for self-improvement and personal growth, as it allows one to focus on specific areas of their life that they want to improve or change.

It’s definitely true that January can be a month of contrasts. The start of a new year can be a time of excitement and optimism. It can also be a time when people feel the weight of their resolutions and the pressure to make changes in their lives. The cold and gloomy weather can also contribute to feelings of sadness or low energy.

However, it’s important to remember that every month has its ups and downs and it’s up to each person to find the silver lining and make the most of the situation (with or without support). It’s also important to be kind to yourself and remember that it’s okay to take things one day at a time.

And YES, you can make resolutions at any time of the year. It is not limited to the month of January. Many people choose to make resolutions at the beginning of the year as a way to set goals and start fresh, but you can make resolutions at any time that you feel motivated to make positive changes in your life.

“Begin again.

Begin again.

Every year
Every day
Every moment
Begin again.”― Shellen Lubin

New Year, New Resolutions. was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

A journal prompt is a statement, question, or idea that is intended to inspire and guide the writing of a journal entry. Journal prompts are often used as a way to help people reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and to explore and express their emotions in a safe and private space. They can be used to prompt the writer to describe a particular event or moment in their life, to reflect on a particular theme or topic, or to explore their thoughts and feelings about a particular subject.

Here are ten journal prompts for the end of the year:

1. Reflect on your personal and professional growth this year. What are some accomplishments or milestones you are proud of?
2. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced this year and how did you overcome them?
3. How did you spend your time this year? What did you prioritize and what did you neglect?
4. What are some things you learned about yourself this year? How did these discoveries shape your goals and plans for the future?
5. How did you grow and develop your relationships with friends and family this year? What are some things you are grateful for in these relationships?
6. What are some things you wish you had done differently this year? What lessons can you take from these experiences for the future?
7. How did you prioritize self-care and self-improvement this year? What are some things you can do differently in the coming year to take care of yourself?
8. What are some new hobbies or activities you took up this year? What did you enjoy about them and how have they impacted your life?
9. What are some goals you set for yourself this year and how did you progress toward achieving them?
10. How did you contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the world around you this year? What are some ways you can continue this work in the coming year?

Journal prompts can be used by anyone who is interested in self-reflection and personal growth and can be a helpful tool for people who struggle with writing or who are looking for inspiration for their journal entries. They can also be a fun and creative way to explore different topics and ideas and to develop a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s experiences.

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”
― Anais Nin

Reflecting On The Year’s End: was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

“Bran thought about it. ‘Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?’ ‘That is the only time a man can be brave,’ his father told him.” ― George R.R. Martin

Fear is a natural emotion that is experienced by all humans. It is a response to perceived danger or threat and is intended to help us protect ourselves. There are many different things that can trigger fear in people, such as loud noises, heights, public speaking, or the unknown.

Fear can be a healthy and adaptive emotion, as it can motivate us to take action to avoid or mitigate potential risks. It is normal to experience fear in certain situations, but it can be overwhelming in other situations. It is essential to find ways to manage and cope with fear so that it does not interfere with your daily life.

Phobia is an intense and irrational fear of a specific object or situation. Phobias can be very disruptive to daily life, as they can cause people to go to great lengths to avoid the thing they fear.

Fear and phobia can be overwhelming and debilitating, but by understanding what is causing our fears and developing the courage to confront them, we can often overcome them and become stronger as a result. It’s important to recognize that it’s normal to feel fear, but it’s also important to recognize that fear does not have to control us.

One way to start addressing fear and phobia is to seek out information about what is causing the fear. This can help us understand the fear and see it in a more rational light. It can also be helpful to talk to a mental health professional, who can provide support and guidance as you work to overcome your fears.

Be kind

It’s also important to be kind to ourselves as we work to overcome our fears. It’s not always easy, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time. It’s also important to remember that it’s okay to ask for help when we need it.

Overall, it’s important to remember that we are stronger than we think and that with understanding and courage, we can overcome even the most challenging of fears.

Talking about our fears (with kindness and empathy)

Person 1: Hey, what are you afraid of?

Person 2: Oh, lots of things. I’m afraid of heights, and I’m also afraid of public speaking.

Person 1: Yeah, those are pretty common fears. I’m afraid of the dark, and I’m also afraid of snakes.

Person 2: Yeah, snakes can be scary. But I think the thing I’m most afraid of is failure.

Person 1: Failure can be scary, but it’s also a natural part of life. We all make mistakes and we all have to face challenges. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to be afraid, but it’s also important to try to face our fears and not let them hold us back.

Person 2: Yeah, you’re right. It’s important to remember that failure is just a learning opportunity and not the end of the world. Thanks for the reminder.

Conquering Fear: Strategies for Overcoming Anxiety and Building Courage

Dealing with fear can be challenging, but there are some strategies that may be helpful in managing and coping with this emotion:

Acknowledge and validate your feelings:

It’s okay to feel afraid in certain situations. Recognizing and accepting your feelings can help you better understand and manage them.

Identify the source of your fear:

Try to understand what is causing your fear. Is it a specific event or situation, or is it a more general anxiety? Understanding the root cause of your fear can help you come up with ways to address it.

Practice relaxation techniques:

Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation are all effective ways to calm your mind and body.

Seek support:

Talk to someone you trust about your feelings. It can be helpful to have a supportive person to listen and offer guidance.

Gradually face your fears:

Instead of avoiding the things that make you afraid, try gradually exposing yourself to them. This can help you build up your confidence and resilience.

Seek professional help:

If your fear is causing significant distress or impairment in your daily life, it may be helpful to seek the support of a mental health professional. They can help you develop coping strategies and provide additional support.

Remember that it’s normal to feel afraid at times, and it’s important to take care of yourself and seek support when you need it. Even the bravest of hearts can be shaken by fear and phobia. But with understanding and courage, we can overcome these challenges and find strength in facing our fears.

“The Unseen Enemy: How Fear Can Hold Us Back” was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The holiday season can be a difficult time for people who are struggling with mental health issues. The pressure to be happy and to participate in holiday traditions can be overwhelming. The increased social activity can be exhausting for people who are already feeling low, to top it the added financial and social demands, and the loneliness that can come with being away from loved ones can all contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Causes of stress during the holidays:

One of the main causes of stress during the holidays is the pressure to be happy and to put on a brave face, even if we are struggling emotionally. The expectations of festivals like Christmas as a time of joy and celebration can be difficult to live up to if we are dealing with mental health issues, and the fear of being judged or perceived as a burden can add to our feelings of anxiety.

The added financial and social demands of the holiday season can also be a source of stress for those struggling with mental health issues. The pressure to buy gifts, attend social events, and participate in festive activities can be overwhelming, especially if we are struggling with financial or social anxiety.

Loneliness can also be a major issue for those struggling with mental health during the holiday season. For those who are away from loved ones, the holidays can be difficult, as we may feel isolated and disconnected from others. This sense of loneliness can be exacerbated by the pressure to be surrounded by friends and family, which can make us feel even more alone.

It is important to remember that it is okay to feel overwhelmed or anxious during the holiday season and that it is important to take care of our mental health. This may mean setting boundaries, taking time for ourselves, and seeking support if we are struggling.

Here are a few tips for managing stress and practising self-care during the holiday season:

Set realistic expectations:

It’s okay to scale back on holiday activities if they are too overwhelming. It’s also okay to say no to invitations if you don’t feel up to them.

Take care of yourself:

Make sure to get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise. These activities can help boost your mood and give you the energy you need to get through the holidays.

Reach out for support:

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional for support. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Practice self-care:

Take time for yourself to relax and recharge. This could be as simple as taking a walk, reading a book, or listening to music.

Focus on the present:

It can be easy to get caught up in the past or worry about the future, but try to focus on the present moment and the things that bring you joy in the here and now.

If you’re struggling with depression or anxiety, it’s important to remember that it’s a treatable condition. Don’t hesitate to seek help if you need it. The holiday season can be a difficult time, but with the right support and self-care, you can get through it. It is important to remember that we are not alone and that it is okay to ask for help and take care of ourselves.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues during the holiday season, there are resources available to help. Many mental health organizations like TickTalkTo offer support services and helplines, and there are also online resources and support groups that can provide a sense of community and connection.

Navigating The Holiday Blues was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We maybe placed in any corner of the world, gun violence happening in the farthest place from us will shake us up. Mass gun shootings will stir us more. An umpteen amount of gun rounds shot at school children will send even crazier shivers down our spine.

We are just being human. We are getting fearful, anxious, angry, speculative and introspective at the same time. Some of us are more sensitive, so are probably getting affected more than others. It’s ok, no two people can have the same level of impact on their minds.

“Increasing the strength of our minds is the only way to reduce the difficulty of life.” ― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Direct Victims

There are the ones who have been a direct victim and survived. God be with them. It’s the worst of traumas to have been hit with. PTSD, anxiety, depression, paranoia or even a complete nervous breakdown maybe one of the consequences of it. They would require support from their families, friends and communities to come out of it. This base level support cannot be assumed that it’s there, it has to be made sure it’s there in a solid, tangible way. They will need a psych consult from time to time. A certain level of supportive therapy in the form of bio-feedback and JPMR(Jacobsons progressive muscular relaxation) relaxation techniques must be started right away. They will have to be encouraged to join support groups for victims of gun violence. It’s going to be a long drawn, consistent and spaced out long term psychotherapeutic support. We should never assume their trauma or shock is just going to wear off on its own. They are going to require working through it.

Family or friends who have lost their loved ones

They are a case of collateral damage. They are left alone to deal with the mishap. Their loved one’s massacred. They probably require more mental health support than the logistical one in the form of a case being registered or the attacker being identified. Family, friends, colleagues and neighbours should all come out and encourage them to reach out for support, majorly emotional support. They need to have one or two people with whom they connect to do catharsis and be able to talk about the tragedy that has befallen them. Never leave them to nurse their deep emotional pain on their own. They are capable of living a functional life and may seem all ok from the outside. But they are in shambles from the inside. Please be kind and find time to just sit and connect with them and get them to talk and share.

For the rest of mankind whose heard about the gun violence

We are affected too. Simply by reading about it. We don’t even have to have known the victims. We are impacted by it because we are all one big family and connected at some level, as fellow beings sharing this earth space. We, too, need mental health support to deal with this. More so we need some strategies to keep our mind feeling safe amidst this untoward mishap we are exposed to, even if virtually. We have to start by reading less about it. Trust me, we are not Sherlock Holmes and no one needs our help to solve the killing. We can immediately stop the trauma of playing the incident in our head by not revisiting the news around it. Social media feeds for the next few days are not going to let us live this down. Abstain from searching this or constantly looking at notifications around this. Keep away from discussions , remember again, you are not the detective assigned here. Pray, go for a run, connect with friends, take on another work assignment….anything that get’s your head off the unfortunate happening.

All you are doing by the above is keeping your mental peace and calmness. You are not being insensitive. You were over sensitised and suffering. And it was not helping gun culture to change or the violence to unhappen . You can have opinions around what’s happening with shootouts and voice them on platforms that will help create a change around gun ownership laws and safety. But if you are going down in the dumps thinking and talking about it, you have to quit. Else, you are taking many other’s down with you, your family and friends who in turn are not able to put this behind them and have to show solidarity with you on this.

It’s sad but true that gun violence is now very prevalent. What we can best do is not bow down to it by offering our mental health at its alter. Instead let’s join hands in building mentally swell communities where support to the vulnerable groups is given in time, with consistency and in the best way.

Mentally healthy individuals are the cornerstone for strong communities that don’t harbour violence.

Stay strong. Stay mentally well.

“But no matter how much evil I see, I think it’s important for everyone to understand that there is much more light than darkness.” ― Robert Uttaro

How To protect Your Mental Health In An Era Of Gun Violence was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

As we go about our business of existence, we are bound to have some not so pleasant experiences. We are all vulnerable to them.

But, there is always something we can do about them. We didn’t have to suffer the experience till it wears us out.

The experience can impact our bodies or our minds, or both.

Have you noticed how we automatically, instinctively and protectively evade a pothole on the road or a nasty thorn while picking a flower? Those are attempts at physical self-care.

When it comes to our mental self-care we tend to slack. For no particular reason. Maybe since an emotional hurt is not as tangible as a physical one we let it pass.

And then this becomes a habit. Next, the pile-up of these mental setbacks puts us in the doldrums. It’s a maze we can’t come out of.

This is where the term ‘ psychological sophistication’ comes in.

We must protect our minds just like we shelter our bodies from physical harm. We must do something actionable when we are facing an emotionally perilous situation.

When faced with a toxic person, situation or set-up, simply follow the 3D rule.

• Disengage- withdraw from the conversation, physically remove yourself from the situation or politely exit the set-up that’s not making you feel good.
• Distance — Remain low key, stop further communication, and do the disappearing act for a bit. It will harm no one.
• Defocus.- Mentally shift focus to other thoughts. Physically get your hands involved in some work. Do a complete energy shift.

Or else you will find yourself soaking up the negative vibe, trying to swim against the tide and barely managing to keep your head above the water.

Another point to remember is to not feel guilty about this type of emotional self-care. Like the subtitle of the article says, even if it’s a family member we need to temporarily shut off from, do that.

Avoiding interacting with him/her for a day or two will help de-escalate the tide of negativity you faced in your last interaction with them. This is self-care. It will also send out a subtle yet firm signal that your emotions were put at stake and that it’s not acceptable to you.

In the words of Lalah Della -“Self-care is how you take your power back”.

And this ability lies within us, to feel empowered by taking care of ourselves. It’s that simple.

And keeping interactions minimal because we don’t feel like it or because we are not up for them is self-care.

Practice this form of self-care as and when you feel the need to. You are plainly setting yourself up for good mental health practice.

Keeping Away From People On Certain Days is Self Care was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

When experiencing an ailment that requires complete rest and confinement to a room, a person’s mind inadvertently moves to the inside of one’s head.

It happened with me, very recently.

Numerous studies and research’s in the past few decades have consistently pointed towards a close association between physical pain and the onset of depressive episodes and symptoms of anxiety. I, too, was a firm supporter of this theory and have often enough helped people cope when they were facing mental health issues due to a physical ailment.

And yet I had a divergent encounter when i was healing from a leg injury. To start with it was not even a major injury till it got bad.I am going to save you the cringe by omitting the gory details of it. Anyway, the healing was slow and dragged. “ You just gotta wait it out”, were the exact words of my doctor.

The ‘ wait it out’ period turned out to be one of profound discernment for me. Each day I was zooming in, connecting and getting aware of my innermost fears, anxieties, personal bias’s and my recurring thoughts.

This astuteness was helping me gain control of all the tangible and intangible free-floating anxiety. I, for one, have self-proclaimed to be a high anxiety individual. This period of waiting out was the closest I came to unknotting the tightly woven web of thoughts I was forever in the grip of.

My injury was an angry and persistent one. It was not going to go easy on me anytime soon. Imperatively, I should have slowly slipped into a dismal abyss, but here I was smiling triumphantly at the fragility of my mind and it’s waywardness.

As my ‘ wait it out’ days marched on, I was getting numb to the pain in my leg and reconciling with my immobility. My meticulous self was now looking the other way at any unfinished or disorganised chore around me. I was not even guilty of doing away with my prior self assigned tasks and responsibilities( that’s another of my personality traits, ‘forever guilty’). I was asking for help when the need arose and was even enjoying the pampering that came my way(psssst…a gourmet meal served in bed). Was I turning narcissistic?. But hey, I was on a positive self-acceptance route, so no diversions allowed towards the negative side tracks.

My talkativeness was in check too, maybe I had silenced my thoughts by being mindful of them. Earlier, I was being propelled towards verbal diarrhoea by my monkey mind. I was now accepting and compassionate even towards it’s jumpiness. I understood the rationale behind it and was ready to take up the challenges of making changes wherever necessary. It was a call to action type of a clarity.

I was looking forward to my visible progress towards deep introspection and growth. I could sense it, almost smell it. It was a feeling of victory of sorts. A physical suffering had led me to reign in my mind.

“ Endure the pain in the sunrise, so when it’ sunset , there’s lot of profit to be gained”.- Seyi Ayoola

What could have led to existential anxiety even in the most calm individuals made me overcome my anxieties that were running across a longish spectrum.

As a mental health professional, one of my go to suggestions while providing support was that you need to get out of your head to get a fresh perspective on your issues. I, on the other hand, delved deeper into my mind and found myself making peace with whatever was going on in there and gaining a new perspective to my mental functioning.

It seems serendipitously, a not so pleasant happening turned into a blessing.

Some of the changes that transpired with my mental functioning were :-

• Deep reflection and introspection
• Cognizance and insight
• Reasoning and inference
• Fierce self-compassion
• Pragmatism

I’l pen off by this final observation that not everything has to go in one direction. Life may spring up many a pleasant surprise even in the gravest of circumstances. So let’s chin up and look out for that silver lining in a cloud.

“ Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create. — Ray.T.Bennett.

Enduring physical pain made me take stock of my mental quagmire was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Self-love being a belief, a promise or an understanding that one has with themselves to love, value, take care and show utmost compassion to oneself.

Nice….and still some of us have to be tutored about it.

The one thing that most people agree to is the fact that women have a natural tendency to put others before themselves like their children, their spouses, their parents and many times even their colleagues. By and large in most societies they are nurtured to be primary care givers.

What we need to understand is that their predisposition to care for others is not a sign of weakness, definitely not a compulsion. If at all, it’s strength of character and it’s out of choice that they spread themselves thin for the ones they care about. (even in doing that they hold their own and don’t vanish)

Does this mean that self- love did not feature itself in their lives automatically and so it has to now be planted through soft suggestions and hard knocking hysteria around women’s liberation.

‘You cannot pour from an empty cup’….They are told, just so they may start looking after themselves better and in turn become become better providers.

I don’t think a giving person can ever be empty or feeble or broken, they somehow remain intact under every circumstance as they are committed to others.

For most women, self-love is entwined in their self-worth and self-worth for them comes from the fact that they are valued members of society at large. They are contributing in their homes, communities, workspaces and are donning each role with aplomb. Isn’t this where self-love and love for others merges ?

“Once you figure out what respect tastes like, it tastes better than attention.” — P!nk, musical artist.

They don’t need to be given those discounted coupons on women’s day to feel special. Yes, everyone likes special treatments but this seems more like a masked consumer strategy to make epic sales of spa treatments and knock women over with marked down make-up and dresses. (knowing the legendary shopaholic streak of the fairer sex).

I think we need to mellow out on this one. Women don’t need to be sermonised about accepting their body sizes, taking a break from kid’s and household chores, doing girl’s night often or looking out for exploitations happening in offices. Their inherent proclivity for benevolence is a part of their being.

Self-love is not a new discovery… it’s their eternal truth.

They are sunshine and thus spread it in the lives of those around them.You can’t shine without self-love, can you?

Why are women being introduced to self-love in this new age? was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Imagery is a powerful tool in coping with the pitfalls of a negative experience.

https://unsplash.com/@baumnico

We all suffer a negative event or encounter every now and then.

Negative, here, would be something or anything that has made you feel let down, belittled, exploited, piqued and other similar heart burning feelings.

Event or encounter could be a one off with an acquaintance or even a stranger or it could be a series of subtle backstabbing’s by a close aid.

Either way, our feelings get marred and our thoughts are so negative that we keep spiralling into an abyss.

Using our imagination or visualisation in the words of therapists is not about tricking our minds rather about thought stopping and gaining perspective into our feelings.

When we shift our focus from a constant negative thought process into a relaxing image we actually provide our minds with the bandwidth to process the anxiety created by the unfortunate encounter.

This rest period that we allow ourselves by means of visualising an image or scene is therapeutic enough to help us overcome the emotional repercussions of a negative event.

For me, imagining a peaceful face( an image of a Guru from my faith) puts me at ease even if momentarily. It feels like an anchor from the quicksand of negativity I was getting sucked into.

The pause it allows strengthens me. There is more clarity around what I was feeling and why I was feeling so. I also become more accepting of my feelings. There is no running away from them. I also do not judging myself for feeling so down and out.

The more often I went back to visualising the peaceful face, the easier it became to handle my emotional setback.

I didn’t feel challenged anymore from the event rather challenged my negative, irrational and unhelpful thoughts.

This form of visualisation is of course informal and unstructured and totally curated as it works for me.

For those of you seeking a more formal set up and structured visualisation techniques can do so under the guidance of a professional.

Visualisation can involve utilising more than just one sense.

When I was imagining the peaceful face, I was captivated by the serenity of expression and felt it encompassing my being and leaving me healed.

This seems like a spiritual experience and may seem surreal to some but truth is that there is enough empirical evidence to back this psychotherapeutic technique as effective in dealing with a range of disorders including panic attacks and agoraphobia.

Let go of the thoughts that don’t make you strong. -Karen Salmansohn

Big shout-out to peaceful images.

Use the potential of mental imagery and empower yourselves.

Visualising a peaceful face to overpower a dark feeling . was originally published in TickTalkTo on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

https://unsplash.com/@zacdurant

“Adventure-seasoned and storm-buffeted, I shun all signs of anchorage, because The zest of life exceeds the bound of laws”

- Jamaican-American writer and poet, Claude McKay.

As we are well into the second year of COVID restrictions, most of us are nosediving into nothingness some more. Part, because we are not completely ridden of the virus fear, and part, we seem to be unable to shake off the staticness of the year gone by.

I have put together some content using the acronym ‘ lockdown’ in the hope of becoming mindful to the exact opposite of that word , which would be ‘ Open up ‘.

A Learning from’ LOCKDOWN ‘ literally

L – Look beyond your nose ,

• Are there people worse placed than you in life
• Are you only about your troubles
• Are you hardwired for frustration
• Can you lift your heels and say ‘I will have a bright future’ ( no matter your age)

O – Open your hearts to others

• Show unconditional compassion to random people
• Step into someone else’s shoes every once a while
• Listen to others without interrupting their thoughts
• Be keen to pick on non- verbal cues of others

C – Create something, anything

• A financial goal , maybe
• A poem devoted to friendship
• A meal that appeals
• A new sleep regime that benefits

K – knock off all stressors

• Disengage from conversations that put you in doubt of your self-worth
• Do not take the onus of pleasing everyone around
• Allocate work when you feel overwhelmed with tasks at hand
• Do not overspend time on one thing, schedule and fix time limits

D – Dogged approach always works

• Will help see you through your short and long term goals
• Keeps you focused and on track
• You will make tangible progress
• Builds on your positive emotions

O – Optimal is achievable

• Stopping short of it is wasted effort
• Gives visible outcomes
• Uncompromising attitude is contagious
• Should be adopted for our nutrition, exercise, work output and income generation

W – Wealth creation is a skill

• Money making is not an evil thing
• Learn the ropes of passive income
• Use side hustles to accelerate cash flow
• Financial literacy is the buzzword

N – Necessity is the mother of invention

• Realignment in the face of little choice
• Novel pursuits keep us motivated
• Helping ourselves is in the greater good of mankind
• We are human, our basic needs will be our driving factors , accept this without guilt.

I need to rely on Claude McKay one more time to reinforce my message in this write up.

“ I have forgotten much, but still remember The poinsiana’s red, blood-red in warm December”.

https://unsplash.com/@jessicalfadel

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