Befriending Your Brain (and Actually Living Your Life): An Intro
Prologue:
Dear reader,
I took a hiatus from writing to make some space for myself and heal from some of the major impact that the pandemic (and frankly many years of burnout prior to that) have had on me. I felt so much guilt and conflicting emotions of relief and pain for what felt like an ‘abandonment’ of something I love so much: writing and connecting with you.
I realized in that time a need to detangle writing from the concepts of self-worth and perfection (surprise, surprise), which meant some time releasing from the pressure I felt. I say all of this because I want everyone on this journey of mental health to know that the ‘behind the scenes’ look behind the advice and knowledge you receive in this blog comes from not only my research but my lived experience and my heart.
One of the professors at my grad school told us 1st year students something I repeat to myself every day. He said if we want our clients to see change and emotional progress in their lives, we must follow one simple rule:
“You go first.”
I hope to live that authentically through my writing and my work as often as I can.
Love,
Chay
Mental health is how I make my living, and I am absolutely in love with the concept. Every day, everywhere I look, I see examples of how understanding our mental health while nurturing it, prioritizing it, and investing in it will not only help individuals lead healthy and fulfilling lives, but also create a society where all can be respected.
Yet, as more and more of us are realizing, there is a surplus of information and a lack of comprehensive tools or filters to help our brains absorb what is useful and important to our daily living.
So, I started working on a mental health curriculum. And I want to imperfectly start workshopping it here, small concepts that I hope are the seeds to something that will one day be grown everywhere.
I’ll be writing a series of 9 blogs outlining the overview of what could go into each one. I’d love wholehearted feedback and questions on anything you see as interesting, intriguing, challenging, or missing from what you see. I’m realizing more and more that my tendency to try to be a ‘lone expert’ is outdated and serves only a model of burnout; though (and especially because) it is a vulnerable place for me, I am committing myself to making mistakes and having conversations.
Befriending Your Brain:
Emotion & Empathy: What are they and why do we struggle with them?
The Happiness Trap and ACT: What is Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and why does everyone need it?
Vulnerability: The Ultimate Strength in Everyone’s Weakness
Decolonizing is for Everyone and Essential to Mental Health
Starting with a Single Step: Creating Lasting Behavior Change
Relationships: The Endless Cycle of Connection with Others and Reflection of Self
Self-Esteem & Worth: Where does it really come from?
Communication: How to Figure Out What You Want to Say, then How to Figure Out How to Say It
Identity: Who Am I, Why Should I Care, and How Do I Find Out
