I'm currently going through a pretty rough patch with this perimenopause rollercoaster ride and my brain is doing all kinds of mean things to me.
It's telling me that I am never going to get my hormones back in balance and that I should just curl up in a ball and lay in bed forever.
And yeah, curling up in a ball and laying in bed is probably a good thing for me to do some of the time (because I know how important it is to rest in times like these) - but I also know that I can spiral pretty quickly into despair and allow more and more of the Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) to pile on if I'm not careful.
So, eventually I make myself get up, put on a cute and comfy outfit, curl or straighten my hair, put on some makeup (including my favorite red lipstick), maybe even paint my nails, and try to change my thoughts - which eventually leads me to start taking the baby steps I need to take for my overall health and wellness plan.
Some days it feels like I have to work extra hard at it, but it's always worth it in the end.
"Unless we train our minds to recognize our thoughts for what they are and not what they say they are, we are condemned to living out whatever negative scripts our brains generate."
- How to Be Nice to Yourself by Laura Silberstein-Tirch, PsyD
So, here's to brain training combined with gentle, forward baby steps! My forever most helpful life formula.
(The concepts in this blog post do not replace the need for proper mental health care. If you are experiencing mental illness, please seek help through a licensed mental health professional.)
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