Navigating Mental Health

Sometimes, understanding ourselves can feel tricky because of a clash between knowing ourselves and what stands out the most. It's like when you focus on things that bring you down; there's a worry that it might overshadow the good stuff and the progress you're making. If there's something you're scared to think about, that's the very thing you should dig into. That thing you're avoiding is probably important, even if you don't realize it. Today we talk about navigating mental health and tools that might help. We hope you enjoy it!

Understanding self-care:

Taking care of ourselves is like having a solid foundation, you know? Basics like moving around, eating well, and getting good sleep are like the building blocks. But it's not just that – having good relationships is super important too. If things are not good in a relationship, it's tough to take care of yourself properly.

Understanding ourselves is a big deal. We need to think about what we know about ourselves and what we don't. Being curious about what's happening inside us and how we deal with the world is key.

Getting ready for future challenges is a must because, let's face it, they're gonna happen. The better we take care of ourselves now, the more ready we are to deal with tough stuff later on.

Oh, and emotions, they don't follow a schedule. They don't care about what time it is or what day it is. They just happen when they happen. So, taking care of ourselves is like being prepared for anything, anytime.

Journaling:

Journaling and self-reflection are super important for personal growth. When we look at our life story, it helps us ask important questions and figure things out. Writing in a journal lets us see the real truths about ourselves, how we've changed, and the impact of things happening around us. Life can get crazy busy, and it's easy to rush through it, but taking a moment to stop and think is crucial. Looking at how people before us lived can give us cool insights into who we are and where we fit in the world. Journaling is like a time machine that brings back memories of our past selves, and this can help us become better. It also makes our brains work in different ways, helping us solve problems by seeing patterns. Reflecting on ourselves might even show if we need professional help, especially when we're dealing with really tough feelings. Sometimes, just talking about a problem can be the first step to getting past it.

Structures of ourselves and the unconscious mind:

Okay, so think of our minds like a complicated machine, with lots going on beneath the surface. But, as we work on being healthier and more effective, things start to get simpler. It's like peeling away layers. So, the starting point is the unconscious mind, the deepest part of ourselves. What's in there has a big impact on what we're aware of in our conscious mind.

Picture it like an abscess - you know, when your body walls off an infection. That's a sign something's wrong somewhere else. Well, we can have something similar emotionally, like hidden issues we need to figure out. Sometimes, we hide bad stuff deep down, maybe because of guilt or shame. But, surprise, it comes with problems we can fix if we bring it to light.

To tap into this unconscious stuff, it's about being curious about yourself. Once we do that, we can understand defense mechanisms that pop up from the unconscious and affect how we think. So, it's like figuring out why we do things and steering our thoughts in a better direction.

Defense mechanisms:

Imagine our minds like a nest around the unconscious mind and defense mechanisms – it's how we deal with the world. Think of it as our character structure. To make things better, it's like taking care of a garden; we need to tend to it.

So, the self grows out of this nest, kind of like a little home on top of the unconscious mind, the conscious mind, and the character structure. When we take care of ourselves, we're looking after the whole setup.

These defense mechanisms, they're like actions that come from our unconscious and shape how we interact with the world – sometimes for the better, sometimes not so much, depending on how healthy they are. They pop up from our unconscious mind, but guess what? We can understand and change them if we take a moment to look. Knowledge is like having superpowers!

Here are some examples of defense mechanisms: avoiding stuff, turning our feelings into something else (that's called sublimation), or doing things that hurt ourselves, like binge drinking. It might seem like these things happen automatically, but guess what? If we actively search for them, we can actually change them.

Strivings, humility, and empowerment:

Strivings are like understanding why we do things and what we're aiming for. Like, if you're stuck in a job you hate or feel stuck in a rut, those are signs to pay attention to.

Now, humility and empowerment are like superpowers that lead to feeling in control and grateful, making us happy. When we look at all parts of ourselves, it helps us be humble and empowered, appreciating how complex we are and how hard it is to navigate life. These actions become the way we see and live our lives.

Humility doesn't mean ignoring the good stuff – it's about being honest, recognizing both good and not-so-great things about ourselves. Dr. Paul Conti says empowerment and humility are like potential super-states that show themselves through our actions.

We want our inner drive (generative drive) to push us towards things that bring peace and happiness. Everyone has the power to understand themselves and all the different parts that make them who they are.

Self Narratives and Building Community:

Dr. Paul Conti says something important: "Don't make yourself special in ways that hurt you." It's like saying, "I'm good at one thing, but I'll never be good at something else." We can actually go for whatever we want, but sometimes we believe certain parts of ourselves are just off-limits or cursed, and that's not good.

Some people create an outer version of themselves to hide the sad or painful things they feel are missing inside. But, here's the catch – it messes up what we really want to achieve in life because it's like the world sees one thing, but we feel another.

Here's a cool idea: think of yourself like a cupboard, and if you're avoiding opening it, there might be something important inside. It's okay to be scared, and it could be a chance to get support from others.

When you're on a journey, surround yourself with good people. If you believe you deserve better, you'll connect with positive folks. Being part of a community is powerful – it gives you strength and prevents feeling alone. And, guess what? Whether it's online or in real life, if you focus on misery, that's what you'll find, but the same goes for positivity!