My Journey: A few simple steps for a happy life and spiritual healing

I had been in a very weird depression funk for the past couple of years and I'm ready to be open about it. I'm not the type of person that's unhappy with my life, in reality I'm actually very happy with my life, but I am ultra-sensitive to my surroundings and during this time period a lot of external stimuli were really bringing me down. I have empath-like qualities and tend to absorb the feelings of others, especially negativity and it has been really harmful to my mental health. I've faced defeat, rejection and internal battles about a career change I had been fighting for, and it started eating my soul away from the inside out. It wasn't until recently that I made the decision to become spiritually and emotionally grounded and the changes I have made have really cleansed me internally so that I now feel like an entirely new human being.



I have always had a spiritual essence about me. I find a strong connection with a higher power, that can be interpreted as G-d, Spirit, good karma, positive energy, or all of this, which to me are essentially one and the same. But as I've grown older and adulthood has kicked in, I've spent years in stressor mode of battling constant anxiety and over-analyzing of everything. I have never known it is possible to just turn your thoughts off, or have control over your own productivity and focus. I have always believed in the law of attraction but it hasn't been until now that I have really re-visited the idea in a meditative sense and method of actually achieving the things I want (and do not want) in my life.

Don't get me wrong here.. I am a scientist AND an artist, so I have a pretty split mind of creativity and open-mindedness while also being scientific and practical. Even with the need for proof of things, I have been able to come to terms that I personally believe there are things happening in this world and beyond that are more than we may ever be able to fully understand or prove with scientific peer-reviewed literature (such as paranormal and metaphysical forces). I have been getting plenty of shit for my personal dabbling in astrology, crystal healing, ghost hunting and an interest in witchcraft, but as a person working in the science field, I see no harm in strengthening myself spiritually and getting involved in activities that only strengthen my ability to meditate and turn off my busy mind. As far as I'm concerned, even if the healing vibrations in crystals and rocks have no PROOF they do anything, the proof is in my mind that I can feel happier, empowered, more productive and focused. It's one of those things that doesn't affect or harm other people-- so there really is no harm in doing it, nor does it warrant commentary and crap from anyone who doesn't approve! (and by "WITCHCRAFT" I just mean reading up and doing some personal research on this subject and some dabbling in spiritual healing in a positive sense, not that I actually plan to become a legitimate "WITCH" -- but I do consider myself a good witch for the healing powers I have instilled in myself and hope to share with others!)

I have never been able to meditate or do yoga because I'm too impatient and didn't understand why anyone would want to waste their time doing an activity where you AREN'T supposed to think.. after all, I'm an overachiever that always has a list of art projects to get to, often-times multiple jobs at once to tend to, and a personal TO DO list like no other and have have always used every moment of time trying to multi-task in my busy head. I FINALLY learned, that the only true way to happiness is just to STOP.. and learn to turn all of that off. It's actually possible! To stop worrying about things you don't have control over, to stop overanalyzing and thinking about woulda shoulda coulda, and a true and logical understanding that any negativity in the mind will draw that right back to you with more negative thoughts, more worry, more anxiety, and in turn, negative outcomes and events in life. For this reason, I have made the choice to cut toxicity out of my life, and realize that some things and people will never change, but that I have. True optimism is hard to maintain, but the addiction of positivity comes when you start your mental journey with controlling your thoughts to only be positive so that's all you draw back into your life.. and as crazy as this really sounds it works! Ridding yourself of negativity is extremely important in order to be able to do this. The sayings and ideas of thinking/doing/being positive have more layers to them now that I really understand what the law of attraction is all about and how I've used this in the wrong way the past couple years I've been trapped in an anxiety-ridden and depressed mind.

To learn more about this, I do suggest reading the book THE SECRET.. just to get a grasp on the idea of what the law of attraction really is. I'm not a fan of the encouragement to use this for shallow and tangible things like money, big houses and fancy cars, but the thought process does really work in bringing positivity back to you when you think about it, even manifesting itself into a physical and tangible form in opportunities, people, places and things. The opposite holds true, that if you focus on negativity that's all you will draw back to you as well, in thoughts, events, circumstances and events... which is exactly what I had been doing for far too long.

Enough about me... here are a suggestions of things that may help if you're stuck in a mental rut these days. Do what works for you.. and don't do anything you don't want to, but I have no doubt that each and every one of these things have significantly helped me on my spiritual journey to strengthen my own mental health.

Tips for spiritual healing and growth:

~ Make your bed every morning.
This may sound silly or unnecessary, but a mental cleanse really starts with cleansing and organizing your physical space. If you get in the habit of making up your bed every morning first thing, it will become second nature and won't be an inconvenience. Clean up the clutter, increase the fengshui in your personal living space, and life will be more relaxing and enjoyable. Something about a messy bed and messy space just screams stress in my brain and causes a lot of unnecessary anxiety (may be the same for you without you even realizing it!) Since I've started making my bed the past few months, I feel more reenergized and motivated to start my day and also less likely to want to crawl back into bed. Also, cleaning and decluttering an area you work in the most REALLY REALLY helps. I just cleaned and rearrange my art studio for this reason. Just try it- I promise it'll work!

~ Eat better.
You are what you eat. This is simple. Resist the urge for shitty food by not buying any. Stick to a shopping list and don't go food shopping when you're hungry. Get yourself some cookbooks or indulge in some favorite food blogs (I have TONS of great recipes on my blog here too!) to motivate you. Without recipes, I am unmotivated to cook but if I whip up a cookbook, the ideas are endless and I get excited about food prep. Find cheap cookbooks at book sales, garage sales, thrift stores or online. Make your culinary experience enjoyable, all the way from the kitchen to your mouth. Always make leftovers for an effortless lunch the next day. If you don't have time to cook, try experimenting with quick and easy recipes, or try using a slow cooker. I have found that convenience meals are great, but nothing is as satisfying as a home cooked meal and the pride and effort that went into it.

~ Make a change.
Do something daring and spontaneous. I recently chopped a lot of my hair off because a friend suggested I do it. I'd been fearful of getting a drastic haircut since each and every time a "trim" went bad and left me traumatized for life. I went and did it without thinking too much this time and am in love with my new shorter hair--- I physically feel lighter after taking a lot of length off of what had been very long locks. I mean, it's just hair it'll grow back! Make a change in your appearance, your wardrobe, your family (maybe.. adopt a pet!) or your routine that feels drastic enough to distract you and pull you out of a mental hole you've been hiding in. If it's a physical change to your appearance, that boost of self-esteem may have been exactly what you've needed, and if it's a lifestyle change, it will be the perfect distraction to get you out of your mental funk!

~Beautify yourself.
I am not vain and I don't want to promote "vanity". However, tying into making a big change in your life (physically) I think that looking good so you FEEL good about yourself is so important. After all, your body is the shell of your soul and you want it to project how you feel. If you look in the mirror and hate what you see, you will likely NOT feel good or happy. For the ladies.. get a fun nail polish and do your nails or go get your hair done. Dye your hair a new color, get a clean trim or new hairstyle. Try a new lipstick or experiment with a new makeup look. Dudes... clean up and groom that facial hair or switch it up for something new. Go get some new clothes (and by NEW, thrifting is certainly OK!) that you feel great in. Make an effort to look good each day and you'll feel amazing.

~Play.
I have an annual pass to Disney World and it's been worth every penny. When they say Disney is "the happiest place on earth".. I think what they really mean is it truly is a place to ease your mind and forget about all the stresses and problems you have outside those Disney gates. Whenever we go, I feel SO happy all day that it is the best mental distraction when I have a lot going on. You can play in any way which you enjoy... video games, socialize, theme parks, get lost in a book store or your local library, go thrift shopping, explore a new town, do some outdoor activities, sign up for an agility class with your dog, attend a local festival or event, throw a party, go camping, travel, etc. You're ALLOWED to take breaks from work and life to have fun!

~ Meditate.
Isn't this the hardest? Whether you literally close your eyes and lay down for a few minutes each day and focus on your breathing (breathe in slowly and count to 10.. hold it and breathe out), try out yoga, read a good book, learn about your chakras and focus on ways to cleanse and clear out each one, writing in a journal (look up one-liner journals if you're not much of a writer), dabble in healing crystals or get lost in a metaphysical store and treat yourself to something cool.. meditation is whatever you want it to be (or don't want it to be!).. MAKE the time to meditate for at least a few minutes each day and you may be astounded by how much of a difference it makes. I always thought I had no time to meditate and that it was "dumb".. but I'm so glad I did and it has been life-changing for me. You can also look up several mental exercises that really help strengthen your spirituality while easing a busy mind, or go get a book on energy healing and crystals if you have an interest in it.

~ Stop thinking so much.
I recommend reading Eckhart Tolle's book, "The Power of Now". It will teach you how to stop thinking and recognize that your MIND is not really you.. it's your ego. Every time you over-think or analyze something that is giving you anxiety, call yourself out for it internally and shift your focus to the here and now. There really is no need to think about things unless it's in the here and now and it's for a task at hand. Over-thinking anything else just causes unnecessary stress, pain and suffering. It sounds easier said than done of course.. so I suggest reading the book (or re-reading it)!

~ When you DO think.. think positive!
The law of attraction is no joke. It's basically the idea that you literally draw everything that happens to you.. good or bad through your thoughts. If you feel bad, you think bad thoughts, and vise versa. Thinking bad draws in more bad and negative things. The more and more you think negatively, this actually energy draws negativity into your life and then the more you dwell on the horrible things that are happening, the more you keep thinking this way and the more bad things keep happening. As easy as it is to think negative and to feel bad, it's possible to think good things, and in turn the opposite will happen and you'll feel good. When you feel good you think positive. Positive thoughts draw in more positive thoughts. Positive thoughts emit a positive energy and frequency, and this draws in positive events, things, people and circumstances to you. I am by all means an advocate of hard work.. I am a go getter and don't ever rely on my "wishes" and "thoughts" to do everything for me, but your mindset absolutely goes hand-in-hand to your actions!

~ Get physical.
Get outside, go on a hike, go to the gym, ride your bike, take the stairs. Anything helps! Exercise makes your body release endorphins and your will feel greattttt. Getting outside in nature and away from society is a BIG plus and doubles as meditation!

~ Cut out the social media.
Cut out or just cut back. I'm an addict for sure. When you limit yourself on Facebook or Instagram you'll really be surprised at how much TIME appears that you always claim you don't have to do anything! I find that I'm the least productive when I spend all day checking social media. When I make new habits of just going on briefly in the morning and at night (or not at all!) I get so much done throughout the day. Break the habit of constantly checking and you will also cut that anxiety that comes with addiction. Social media is a real addiction and most of us have it! If you can't quit, just limit your time on there, and try to avoid it when you're at work and in social situations. If you even break the habit at home, you'll be amazed at how many other things you can achieve, like reading that book that's been sitting on your nightstand for months or years, cooking a delicious and healthy meal, trying out that new hobby you just bought supplies for, or doing the laundry that's been piling up... because social media is literally nothing but a time suck AND a mental drain when you find yourself getting wrapped up in other people's crap and drama.

Just a few little suggestions.. but I hope you'll try them if you aren't already and I hope they help! Are you depressed? Overly-anxious? Trying to become more spiritual? Want to learn how to meditate? Looking to easy an overly stimulated mind? Let me know if you find any of this helpful, because making all of these changes in my life have really helped me! Lots of luck and good energy to you on your own spiritual path :)