Do We Give Our Mental Wellbeing the Attention it Needs?

Many times we are so focused on the outside world, on what is expected from us, that we forget about our own (mental) wellbeing and forget to tune in inwardly.

We very easily tend to neglect those activities which enhance our mental health and instead turn to activities which are escape mechanisms and numbing.

So much is expected from us. We are expected to perform as a professional, as a wife/husband/partner, as a parent, as a sibling, as a child, as a friend, ... and try to live up to the expectations of all of those roles. Living up to the expectations of others is exhausting and the world turned upside down.

In living up to the expectations of others, our lives are filled with 'should': we 'should' make that call, we 'should' go to that party (of a person who feels toxic and negative), ... and makes us want to escape all of those 'should's. At the core, there is nothing we 'should' be doing.

If we look to nature, we can see how lost and disconnected we are.

Does a rose think she 'should' be blossoming? That she should be blossoming quicker? That she should have more petals and less thorns? That she should have been a tulip? I don't think so. She is in full alignment with her being a rose.

When we take the time to turn inward a few times a day, tune in with our feelings, with our body; when we take the time to pause and breathe, we can get in touch with our nature, our essence, a place of peace where there are no 'should's.

If we live from the inside out instead of from the outside in, we start to live from a place of mindfulness, peace, joy and creativity. This will inspire us moment to moment what to do. It will be revealed in every moment.

Being mindful means to go home to yourself. Then you know how to take care of the things that are happening inside you, and you know how to take care of the things that happen around you.

Living in the moment will no longer drive us to wanting to escape in over-eating, drinking alcohol excessively, binge-watching, but inspire us to spend our time creatively expressing our talents, to spend our time in meaningful conversations with others, to spend our time in supporting others who are in need.

Until we give our mental wellbeing the attention it needs, our physical world will start falling into place. If we are mentally balanced, we will be able to have a more relaxed perspective on our reality. The more our mental wellbeing will be enhanced, the more our physical wellbeing will strengthen.

May you take the time today to tune into your feelings, into your body and come home to yourself. May you find that peace today.

Much love, Barbara