Brief disclaimer cuz some of y'all are ignant: I am not a mental health specialist. I have no authority to diagnose or treat mental health disorders. What I share here in regards to mental health issues is for entertainment purposes and is largely anecdotal. In other words, enjoy what I write and record then go see a trained professional.
Peace Family,
I've heard that in depression you dwell too much in the past and with anxiety you dwell too much in the future. I find that to be true in my experience and observation. From what I know of anxiety it is a feeling rooted in fear. It is a bitch and it is one of the most prevalent issues I see in my peers. Restlessness, insomnia, procrastination, workaholics, perpetual angst, hyper vigilance and the inability to chill without guilt while always fully expecting whats coming around the corner to be a complete disaster. It is one of the reasons I think we all should be talking to a mental health professional on a regular basis.
When I think about anxiety I'm reminded of that scene in Apocalypto when Jaguar Paw returned from the forrest with his father. His father sensed his son's uneasiness and told him, "fear is a sickness. It will crawl into the soul of anyone who engages it.....strike it from your heart".
In many ways thats my orientation towards anxiety. "Strike it from your heart". Easier said than done though. You fuck around and give that heffa an inch and she will take a Green Mile on yo ass. For this reason alone we need to all have tangible strategies on hand to deal with anxiety. Whether they come from your Mama, your therapist, intuition, or yoga instructor its valuable to have the tools to be able to work through your anxiety, because “it will crawl into the soul of anyone who engages it" and raise HELL.
I was recently having a conversation in a private FB group about anxiety. There was a post about needing some support and strategies during that period of time in between therapy sessions. Out of compassion, empathy, and solidarity, I commented, " [E]verytime an anxiety wave comes don't fight it. Let it pass through and then repeat ten times, 'and what if everything works out fabulously in the end?'. Theres no need for you (anxiety). Breathe deeply and keep moving. Repeat as needed. So what if you have to say it 300 times a day". Healthy strategies like these are essential in disrupting and changing negative thought patterns.
One sista was so inspired by my comment that she posted the above photo and commented, "I Like it So Much I'm immediately using...Thanks Adrianne". Another sista responded, "Look at you changing lives early in the morning". That comment made me realize I should probably share this with a wider audience.
I recently posted this on my FB and IG :
"I am at a point in my life where Im viewing perceived wrenches in my plans as adventures instead of setbacks. Its a great place to be! I approach life in terms of "what if things go great" instead of "what else can go wrong". It grooms flexibility, affirms faith, and makes challenges easier to handle simply due to my orientation. It doesn't mean be wreckless, it just means be yielding to the flow of life. #Breathe #ItsGonnaWorkOut #TiTiTalks "
Learn how to engage and disempower those intense feelings. If you don’t have the knowledge or the tools to do that alone seek help. Your mind will thank you for it.
Check out my TiTi Talks episode 4 with Blue Lotus Counseling & Holistic Wellness as we discuss mental health issues in the Black community:
Also listen to episode 11 with Jay (Honors) English of Honors Yoga as we discuss strategies to improve your mental and spiritual health:
~TiTi Talks~