You're not a buzzkill

Jesus Christ the effing news at the mo! 🙈

Inflation, interest rate hikes, energy price increases, billionaire tax loops…there’s no doubt that certain aspects of the world around us can be a massive downer. 😶 --so I'll spare you the motivational guff.

So, if the wellness industry is effective at solving our problems, why are we constantly going back for more? On which scale are we improving ourselves and who are we pitching ourselves against?

Here’s the reality check

Contrary to what modern, new age forms of spirituality might have us believe (*cough* ‘The Secret’ - Rhonda Byrne), humans are most definitely NOT at the centre of existence. Neither are you comparatively special or chosen. The universe is much bigger than us mortals and isn’t going to bend itself to suit our every career, car, house, holiday or whim. 

Especially in a cost of living flunk. 💁

So how do I cope?

☝️ Hear me out, but it’s important to acknowledge negative emotions.

Ever heard of spiritual bypassing? This is where we may seek to bypass or suppress uncomfortable emotions in favour of a false sense of positivity.

So-called negative emotions are valuable signposts and ignoring them can have a long-term impact on our mental health.

To dive deeper into the topic, a study conducted by Kashdan and McKnight (2010) explored the relationship between emotional complexity and well-being. The study revealed that individuals who experienced and embraced a wider range of emotions, including negative ones, demonstrated higher levels of overall well-being. They concluded, 

“By confronting and processing negative emotions, we cultivate emotional intelligence, resilience, and a more authentic path toward well-being.”

So there we have it. You're not a buzzkill. 🤗

Putting time aside for conscious breathing with a practitioner is a good way to invite in the full spectrum of emotions, without the bland positiva offered by a lot of new age spirituality.

Feeling into these delicate places can be a powerful way to work with challenging life events, connecting behaviours to childhood patterns from your formative years. It can get quite trippy in places too. 😵‍💫

Hit reply if you want to talk - constructive moans are welcome here! 😀

Or if you do need a boost - this podcast is bloody hilarious.