Quieting the Storm Inside Your Mind: Finding Balance with Emotional Intelligence

Before diving deep into this week's theme of the EQ Oasis, I want to take a moment to apologize for my low levels of LinkedIn intelligence. I take pride in my high levels of emotional intelligence—except when offspring and fluffy bunnies enter the picture. They have the ability to reduce my EQ by at least 50%.

Sometimes, I publish LinkedIn articles from the intellectual part of my brain to share insights about fostering safety in the digital age. Although the end result may lead to inner peace, these articles are not part of the Inner Peace Saturday series. However, LinkedIn's default publishing mode is set to my weekly Inner Peace Saturday Newsletter. Consequently, I occasionally publish my intellectual articles as part of my creative newsletter.

I apologize for any confusion this may have caused and promise to improve my LinkedIn savvy and do better in the future!

Now, let's delve into my creative newsletter!

I have been trying to wake up earlier lately so I can get my morning routines done, clean the rabbit cage, feed him with his veggies, and write before my offspring wakes up. His lifeline is luckily not mobile devices, at least not yet, but food. And he is probably the only man for now, who can get me to cook for him at any time of the day. But this morning, I felt tired, and he woke up at the same time. He was in a good mood, so for us parents it means opportunity. I hugged him and asked if he could help me with the bunny. His compliance rate was 100%, and when he wants to, he does an even better job than I do.

Once the bunny was munching his veggies, he looked at me with a smile and said:

"We have such a nice family, the three of us. I am so happy with our lives."

His words triggered both emotions of pure bliss and appreciation.

Bliss because, for me, success is exactly this:

My family and me are healthy, well, and at peace.

Appreciation because, not so long ago, the situation was quite the opposite.

When I look back at the past few years and everything we have been through, I can't help but feel gratitude in every moment today.

A few years ago, I remember clearly staring out of the window from my couch, wondering if I would be missed if I were gone.

A few years ago, I felt exhausted on a mental, emotional, and physical level and did not know how to move forward.

During most of my life, I had to be in Gladiator mode, fighting to mark my place in life, while navigating life's ebb and flows. Then, when life started to become easy again, I had to learn to sit down my Gladiator and live with a regulated nervous system—one which was not in constant survival mode. And that's hard to do when all you have known is hyper-vigilance and expecting people and things to turn out bad, because that is what experience of the past taught you.

This week's theme is about my own experience with depression, how I healed from it, and how I realized in hindsight that it was more a call for deep rest rather than depression. This may not resonate with everyone, and this is certainly not a clinical piece on what depression is or feels like.

We can't imagine what it truly feels like for someone to be battling with dark thoughts if we have not been through it ourselves. To feel as if they are not enough and don't matter in this world.

About 280 million people worldwide live with depression, according to the WHO.[1 ] Those aged 18 to 29 have the highest prevalence of depression at 21%, followed by those ages 45 to 64 at 18.4%, ages 65 and over at 18.4%, and ages 30 to 44 at 16.8%.[5]

It is my hope that by sharing my own experience, someone who resonates feels hope and inspiration to accept a fundamental truth in life, no matter how things look on the outside:

"You are more than enough, and you were put on this planet for a reason. You matter beyond the materialistic definition of what it means to be enough. You are enough simply by birthright."

And that's what this week's EQ Oasis Theme is all about: From the Depth of Your Darkness, You Shall Rise as the Phoenix from the Ashes.

If you want to experience the full newsletter and explore my story, strategies, and creative wisdom, consider subscribing to the EQ Oasis Newsletter . These insights will leave you feeling inspired to help someone you know who is struggling with mental health and perhaps even inspire you to feel more than enough if insecurity has been a constant in your life.

Welcome to your EQ Oasis Weekly Digest!

Each day, we’ll focus on practical tools, reflections, and stories to help you shift from perfectionism to self-acceptance and emotional freedom.

Monday: Moonlight Motivation ??

Theme: Healing from Depression

Monday represents the moon, which symbolises all that is hidden. I love Carl Jung's perspective on our shadow sides. He believed that our shadows are not something to fear; instead, they hold the key to healing when we face and embrace them. In this week’s Monday Motivation video, I share insights on healing and wholeness for those ready to explore their own shadows.

Key Insight: “Imperfection is the new perfection. As machines become more and more efficient and perfect, so it will become clear that imperfection is the greatness of man.” - Unknown

<< Watch Full Video Here >>

Tuesday: Mars in Motion ??

Theme: The Power of Rebirth

Tuesday is ruled by Aries, the planet of fire, action, and masculine energy. It’s a day to harness this energy and commit to reshaping our habits, even when it feels challenging. Our habits of mind, thought, feeling, and being often need unlearning and reshaping to align with who we truly are. In this week’s Selfies of the Mind episode, I delve into the transformative power of rebirth as a constant evolution.

Key Insight: “All things are difficult before they are easy.” - Thomas Fuller

<< Tune in Podcast Here >>

P.S. Again, due to my low levels of technical intelligence, last week's podcast episode about managing your fear when recovering from burnout remained unpublished. The link has been updated, and you can tune in here.

Wednesday: Mercury’s Wisdom ??

Theme: A Note from Your Future Self

Mercury, the planet of intellect and communication, guides us to reflect on our future selves. One of the most empowering tools on my journey was envisioning what my future self might say during tough times. Imagining my future self at peace, strong, and thriving gave me the motivation to keep going. If this resonates, tune into my short Notes from My Future Self, designed to uplift and inspire you to persevere.

Key Insight: “The only real measure of success is the number of obstacles you've overcome.” - Tim Fargo

<< Watch Full Video Here >>

Thursday: Jupiter’s Growth ??

Theme: Rising from Darkness and Overcoming Despair

Dark thoughts can feel endless, convincing us that we’re alone or that things won’t change. But Jupiter, the planet ruling Thursday, stands for growth and expansion — and this week it is helping us find light in our darkest hours. Growth here doesn’t mean pushing pain away; it’s about honouring where we are and choosing small, steady steps toward hope, even when despair feels overpowering.

Practical Strategy:

Use the ABCDE Technique, inspired by the work of the late Dr. Albert Ellis , is to help you navigate through dark thoughts with self-compassion:

• A: Acknowledge your feelings without judgment.
• B: Breathe and Break it down.
• C: Challenge those thoughts gently.
• D: Develop compassion for yourself.
• E: Execute one small action toward hope today.

Key Insight: Growth in dark times isn’t about grand leaps; it’s about gentle, meaningful steps. Even the smallest steps toward hope can lift you out of the shadows.

Friday: Venus Friday ??

Theme: Poetry for Healing and Self-Love

Friday is the day of Venus, the planet of love. Showing ourselves love during challenging times is where healing truly begins. Today, I’ve written and recorded a creative piece to remind us of a universal truth often discovered in hindsight:

“Life is not meant to be lived in someone else's clothes.”

This may feel triggering to some, but remember, feeling triggered is often an invitation to let go of what no longer serves and walk forward with a lighter back pack on your back.

Key Insight: “I know of nothing more valuable, when it comes to the all-important virtue of authenticity, than simply being who you are.” - Charles R. Swindoll

<< Watch Full Video Here >>

Saturday: Saturn’s Shield ??

Theme: Protecting Your Peace with Emotional Boundaries

"Depression is extreme sadness or despair that lasts more than days. It interferes with the activities of daily life and can cause physical symptoms such as pain, weight loss or gain, sleeping pattern disruptions, or lack of energy according to the [American Psychological Association. ]

In my journey, I’ve learned the importance of seeking professional help—no shame, just wisdom. Just as we protect our physical health, sometimes we need a guide to manage the weight of our emotions.

But when you feel ready, there may come a time to focus on what’s ahead, stepping fully into the role of main character in your life. When I reached that point, I took control of my own ship, steering it in a new direction.

Below is a snapshot of the tools that freed me—mind, heart, and soul—from anxiety and physical stress. These aren’t just habits; they’re commitments that require consistency and discipline. Because true freedom, I believe, comes only when we show up for ourselves every single day.

1. Feel Your Feelings and Flip Your Script – Acknowledge your emotions and rewrite the stories that no longer serve you.
2. Move Your Body Regularly – Physical movement releases tension and creates mental space.
3. Be Mindful of What You Put in Your Body – Nourish yourself with intention; what you consume fuels your energy.
4. Connect with Your Inner Child – Rekindle the innocence, curiosity, and joy you once had.
5. Infuse New Energy into Your Life – Try new activities, meet new people, and expand your world.
6. Block Time for Yourself, Non-Negotiable – Treat time for yourself as sacred and essential.
7. Stop Judging Yourself – Self-judgment drains your spirit. Embrace self-compassion instead.
8. Communicate Your Needs – Your needs matter; expressing them brings you closer to the peace you deserve.
9. Be Mindful of Who You Surround Yourself With – Surround yourself with those who uplift you and respect your boundaries.

Protecting your peace is an act of resilience and self-love. For a deeper dive into these tools, check out the full EQ Oasis newsletter. ?? #SaturnsShield #EmotionalBoundaries #ThriveWithEQ #EmotionalResilience

Sunday: Solar Shine ??

Theme: Nurturing Inner Resilience with EQ Vitamins

As we step into a new week, let’s recharge with some essential EQ Vitamins—simple, powerful practices that nourish our resilience. These reminders keep us grounded, compassionate, and hopeful through every challenge.

Here’s a sneak peek of today’s EQ Vitamins. For the full version, subscribe to the EQ Oasis newsletter!

1. Acceptance – Embrace your emotions without judgment.
2. Self-Compassion – Be as kind to yourself as you would to a friend.
3. Resilience – Every setback is a setup for a comeback.
4. Mindfulness – Stay present; ease past regrets and future anxieties.
5. Connection – Reach out; isolation amplifies sadness.
6. Hope – Hold onto hope; change is constant.
7. Activity – Physical movement can shift your emotional state.

For the full EQ Vitamins to help you develop your own Solar Shine, check out my weekly EQ Oasis Newsletter here .

Looking Ahead & Stay Connected

Thank you for being part of this community—I truly appreciate your support! Next week, I'll be sharing strategies on how to navigate jealousy and envy in both your personal and professional lives using emotional intelligence.

I'd love to hear from you! What topic would you like me to dedicate the next Weekly EQ Oasis newsletter to? I’m here to support and guide you, so please share your story or reflections with me via email or on social media.

Remember, it's okay not to be okay. When dark thoughts try to tell you that you’re not enough, know that you are more than enough. Embrace the messiness of being human—it’s what makes us truly magical.

With love & gratitude,

Nadja ?? ?? ??

P.S. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs to know they are more than enough too.

P.S.S. If you’re ready to dive deeper...

• 6-Day Inner Peace Challenge: Start your journey to inner calm with this foundational challenge. Learn more .
• Subscribe to the EQ Oasis Newsletter: Every Saturday , I share insights, creative reflections, and practical strategies to navigate life’s challenges.
• Join the EQ Oasis Community: A healing space to rest, replenish, and rise into your personal power. Join the Waiting List .