Healing Archives - The Road To Mental Wellness

Have I figured out the meaning of life?

Have I figured out the meaning of life? When battling major depression this is what keeps me going.
Tweet

As humans, it is in our nature to question our own existence; I mean really, why are we here? I suspect that the answer is a difficult one for many to uncover. However, I also have my suspicions that there’s more than one answer to this question. Perhaps it’s as individual as humans themselves?

From my perspective. the answer has somewhat come to light over the course of my lifetime. With that said, my answer may not correspond with other people’s definition. Regardless, it bears thinking about. And I thought it might be helpful to share.

The meaning of life, or at least as I understand it, has come to me after continuously battling mental illness. When coupled with my brain’s tendency to be in overdrive nearly every moment of every day, I was bound to reach a conclusion at some point.

How you ask? Interestingly, I have decided on its meaning, not through a dictionary definition, but rather, the instability that comes with a horrible dread of a depressive episode. Likewise, I posed this question during the more peaceful moments in between.

How to manage a depressive episode

Truth is, if I had not contemplated the meaning of life both in my darkest hours and at my happiest times, I believe the answer would have alluded me; quite possibly for the remainder of my life.

firstly, as most people with depression can attest, one is often stuck ruminating over why they are even here in the first place. Similarly, they can often question the point to it all. I know I do; frustratingly so, it occupies my neurocircuitry whenever I suffer a boat of major depression.

Negative self-talk and depression.

The beauty of this darkness? I actively seek to answer the question; what’s life’s purpose?

This question often crosses my mind organically, no matter my mental state and thankfully, I’ve come up with a conclusion that I think many may agree with.

Looking for help? Try our Mental Health resources page

So, without further ado, here goes nothing: Have I figured out the meaning of life?

“Humans have a beautiful ability to connect to one another in a very significant form of kindness.

At its core is a little thing called Love. This emotion, with the strength of gravity, pulls us towards those whom we have a “Humans have a beautiful ability to connect to one another in a very significant form of kindness.deep affinity for.

But connection and love are more than just mere feelings, they are natural survival mechanisms that have allowed humanity to form families and social networks. Because of it, we have survived for thousands of years.

Because its strength is so strong, so undeniable, it is the very essence for life itself”.

Looking for books that inspire? Go here:

I believe that this is the formula for the meaning of life. Love, connection and unity equal stronger, longer and more robust relationships. In my view, this is a beautiful gift.

Think of it, when we have this formula going for us, we are much less likely to feel lonely and isolated. Personally, I find that when I do a gratefulness inventory, my episodes of depression seem to be shorter.

Finally, while I know firsthand that major depression can feel really lonely and isolating, I also know that I do have many strong connections and thus many reasons to ride the wave of mental illness. The people I have in my life are truly amazing! So, Have I figured out the meaning of life? You decide.

The Road To Mental Wellness – The Book

Cover reveal

I am excited to announce that I will be revealing my first book cover in mid-January. Called The Road To Mental Wellness, it chronicles my lifelong battles with mental illness. It’s goal? To help others by telling my story…. Check back for updates. However, if you would like to see it sooner, simply subscribe to The Road To Mental Wellness email list and I will be more than happy to send you the exclusive first look at it.

Note: The Road To Mental Wellness is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Note: The Road To Mental Wellness is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Lemonade Stand III

Order Lemonade Stand Vol III

January 9, 2021January 9, 2021

Jonathan ArenburgLeave a comment

Authenticity the way to healing?

Authenticity, the way to healing? What do you think?
Tweet

When I look back on my life, I think of how often I roamed through the world hiding my true self. For years, I just hid, doing what I didn’t want to do. The thing that held me in place? Fear. But maybe it’s deeper than that, I think when I was younger, I believed that my passions were little more than pipe dreams, not something worth chasing.

For far too long I allowed my thoughts to consume me over how people viewed me. Moreover, I grew up with a whole host of socially scripted narratives; expectations of who I was supposed to be and how I was expected to carry myself.

In my view, this is a flawed way to think. Even so, we continue to lay the groundwork for how we expect the next generation to conduct themselves. For example, there is a lot of pressure to go to college, get a good job and so on. If one just follows this well-worn path, they will find happiness. But is trampling down the same street as everyone else really the answer for everyone?

Follow your own way

Sure, there are undoubtedly many who find fulfillment while subscribing to this traditional and predetermined way forward; but for those who have a deep urging for something different, their way forward seems forced.

Could it be possible that if people were free to go their own way, that mental illness could be alleviated? Could authenticity be the way to healing?

I am of the option that it just might. When we go against the grain of what we really want out of life, whether it be a career choice or a way of being, if denied, it could produce anxiety. What’s more, eventually those of us who don’t fit the standard box, may become depressed.

NEED HELP? DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN? CHECK OUT OUR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES PAGE

If this sounds like you, could releasing your authenticity be the way to healing for you? Could giving yourself permission to be the real you, the one hiding just below the surface be your way to happiness?

Your own road to mental wellness may very well be the road of going your own way. So, you do the real you and do what your heart is aching for, you may just find the fog of mental illness start to lift.

THE ROAD TO MENTAL WELLNESS – THE BOOK

Cover reveal

I am excited to announce that I will be revealing my first book cover in mid January. Called The Road To Mental Wellness, it chronicles my lifelong battles with mental illness. It’s goal? To help others by telling my story…. Check back for updates. However, if you would like to see it sooner, simply subscribe to The Road To Mental Wellness email list and I will be more than happy to send you the exclusive first look at it.

Lemonade Stand III

Order Lemonade Stand Vol. III

Recommended reads

Processing…

Success! You're on the list.

Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.

If you are struggling please go here for help: Crisis Services Canada

Checkout our Mental Health Resources Page

Contact me on my Facebook page: The Road To Mental Wellness

January 16, 2021I will never bend to it’s will

I will never bend to its will, to my mental illness. These …

January 16, 2021You have the right to refuse

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES PAGE

January 14, 2021Every stage of life is a gift.

January 13, 2021Can a new day be a new start?

CAN A NEW DAY BE A NEW START?Tweet NEED HELP? DON'T KNOW …

December 27, 2020January 11, 2021

Jonathan Arenburg1 Comment

Path to Mental Healing

The rocky path to healing — Path to mental healing.

Mental healing can be long and arduous.

The path to mental healing is not an easy one to navigate through. It’s by no means a clear, well maintained road. The terrain of mental illness is way to rough for it to every be paved with a smooth blacktop of continual happy.

Along this path there have been points were my mental pain has acted like thick overgrowth, forcing me to a slow crawl, sometimes on my belly. Regardless, I know I must carry on with this battle and not let my mental health condition get the best of me.

Since you’re here, check out Pave New Roads

Like life in the physical world, the realm constructed out of our neurology has some debilitating moments. But, like life in the world that surrounds us, we also have mental moments where it’s nothing but clear sailing; our path is clear and free of the mental mess that sometimes trips us up. In these moments, we feel like we have reached our goal, we are finally healed. At least, this is how I feel when I experience those moments.

“Always remember, don’t pay attention to the naysayers, they have no idea what a mental illness battle is like. Only you know how you feel”.

The road to mental wellness and its accompanying pain is a consistent venture. One that anyone suffering any form of long term pain can sympathize with. Prolonged discomfort digs away at our tolerance and takes a fast walking, always energetic individual down to a slow, barely one foot in front of the other type of person. It’s as though they were thrown in a vat of molasses and asked to run to the ladder. They tire almost immediately.

Mental Illness and exhaustion

Mental illness is that vat of molasses; that thing that slows and exhausts the biggest go getters, often robbing them of their positive disposition. This mental exhaustion is a devastating blow to what wellbeing that remains. This, understandably makes matters even more dire.

In my experience talking to others who are too sick to contribute to the world, not one of them, not one has said “I’m sick but I’m thrilled to be at home”. Always remember, don’t pay attention to the naysayers, they have no idea what a mental illness battle is like. Only you know how you feel.

The focus? Is to get better. Or at least arrive at a point where you can reintegrate into a world that wizes by you as though you are cloaked. We are invisible to them because they have zero emotional investment in our lives. Remember, you get to choose where you put your energy. Put it on those who care.

Ways to improve your mental health

So, a road to healing may seem daunting and impossible but working on you despite that is imperative. Clean eating, exercise and embracing those who know your worth will help you circumvent the tougher points. You can get better, some wounds never heal completely so always remember how far you’ve come.

If you are suffering from PTSD, please reach out. I thank you for your service and you are still worthy and mean something. I believe in you!
If you are struggling please go here: Crisis Services Canada

Want help fund my book? donate: GOFundMe – The Road To Mental Wellness – The book

You may also enjoy: But a Mere Crawl: Slowly making my way towards mental wellness.
Contact me on Facebook: facebook.com/TRTMW