Daily Archives: December 31, 2014

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My thoughts on the New Year 2015

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2014 = a watershed.

(This seems a bit like a mathematical equation, darling. Explain yourself …)

It’s been a year in which the first six months brought in two great achievements: publishing my first novel and finishing a semester of study as a postgraduate student at the University of Sydney. The second half of the year was the exact opposite and I struggled to find my feet. December brought in a ‘recovery’ of sorts and my creative juices started flowing again. There’s one absolute certainty in the middle of all the uncertainty: I will continue writing. There’s also a nagging reality: I need to add more streams of income to the ones I currently have.

A few days ago I emailed a friend of mine, and I expressed my wishes of a greater sense of self-awareness for 2015. Her reply—more or less— went like this:

“After the year you had, you’d probably expect a bit more than just self-awareness.”

Her comment left me wondering whether I’ve become a bit of a conformist. As I was going about my daily business today, bang! I had one of my brainwaves. A few days ago I read a new definition of insanity:

'Definition of insanity,' from http://imgarcade.com/1/definition-of-insanity-meme/
‘Definition of insanity,’ from http://imgarcade.com/1/definition-of-insanity-meme/

 As far as I’m concerned, I’d swap ‘insanity’ for ‘stupidity’ here. However, either one or the other are the complete opposites of self-awareness.

In other words, aspiring to stay as self-aware as possible entails a very open pair of eyes and a sharp mind to spot opportunity and to take informed decisions. It also involves allowing myself to try a different way of doing things, because at the end of the day if I do the same bloody stupid thing again, and again, and again, how can I expect to achieve different results?

In any case, make no mistake: I want to become rich, famous and influential. Luck is of the essence—good luck, that is.  A serendipitous shift of fortunes. The appearance of a positive something that wasn’t there before.

Happy New Year! Have a wonderful 2015 :-)
Happy New Year! Have a wonderful 2015 🙂

Right now I’ve become painfully aware that my stomach is kind of empty and I need to get dinner ready ASAP. All the same I want to wish you a very happy New Year. May 2015 bring in everything that you want or need, and none of what you don’t want or don’t need—and a lot of self-awareness to make the most of each and every situation.

Thanks for following this blog and for reading me! FFJ

Bipolar disorder, Brain, Inspiration, Mind, Physical exercise

Managing depression II: a friend’s words of wisdom

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I met Kev way back in 2005, at a bipolar therapy group run by Melissa Subiaco, a young doctoral candidate from the University of Sydney. Kev and I had an immediate connection and developed a rock solid friendship. He’s been supportive in more ways than one. Besides, he isn’t judgmental in the least and we can laugh our heads off at the drop of a hat. For Kev, friendship is a lot more than rhetoric or empty words.

Here are his words of wisdom on how to manage depression. They’re especially valuable because he’s been dealing with the bipolar roller coaster for over 25 years. I appreciate his peer-to-peer insight because I know he lives by it. Over to you, Kev!

'Up early! Sun up, get up!' Wherever you are, do harness the beneficial effects of the sun.
‘Up early! Sun up, get up!’ Wherever you are, do harness the beneficial effects of the sun.

Things that help:

  • Acknowledge the fact that you’re feeling depressed, rather than labelling yourself as depressed. There’s a huge difference in feeling, as compared to being labelled, whether by yourself, or by others. It will make a huge difference, to the length of the healing period.
  • Good, healthy food. Lots of fruit & vegetables!
  • Lots of water formula: .033x body weight, for example, .033 x 75kgs = 2.5lts/day.
  • Exercise, but not excessive. The body needs some time out too. Swimming & walking, high on the agenda.
  • Up early! Sun up, get up! It’s the most energising part of the day! SUNRISE!! Take in the energy of the sun. Walks in nature, if possible. Oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains, parks etc.
  • Good, meaningful sleep. Sleeping pills, only if absolutely necessary. A lot of people don’t sleep well, because they don’t prepare well. That’s the key. Do the research, it takes practise!
  • Meditation
  • Mindfulness
  • Yoga, using true top to bottom, breathing technique. It’ll slow the mind, with practise!! This is the key!
  • Take yourself out of all possible areas of possible conflict!
  • Supportive friends, not “arm chair specialists”.
  • Seek help from a counsellor, if you haven’t already! Never go beyond 3 weeks without seeking help from a professional! Personally, for me, a physchotherapist.
  • As the head starts to clear, address what changes have recently happened in your life, in most cases, you don’t start feeling depressed for no reason. Depression, is often set off by things that we haven’t really addressed, or dealt with properly, and will just keep coming back. Unless we do so, we will be continually surrounded by triggers.
  • It’s not about what happened, ie, the events, it’s about how we deal with them. People spend so much time going over things from the past. You certainly need to acknowledge that certain things did happen, but going over & over things can’t change whatever happened!! Poor investment of your time that you can’t buy back.
  • Rebuild resilience, your foundation. People with good foundation don’t fall.
  • Picture yourself as the root system of a tree. Only the week foundation trees fall. How is your foundation? It should be like a Canadian redwood!
  • Find what has worked in the  past. Learn from each experience. Have a preset management plan. Use your daily diary! Preset your days. 24 hrs unplanned, is a huge day to fill in when feeling depressed!!
  • Have faith, but be proactive!
  • Be accountable for yourself! No blame games!!
  • Uplifting music. Lots of music!! You can judge your mood, by the music & volume that you play!!
  • Be patient & kind to yourself!!

Thanks for your words of wisdom, Kev! My blog is so much richer for your contribution 🙂 FFJ