avatarCaroline de Braganza

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Abstract

and disappear As mantra whispers in my head ‘Choose me instead’</p><p id="f38a">Twenty minutes pass In which Time dissolves As do my fears And doubts Ego sleeps and Heart connects to Who knows where?</p><p id="b8ba">Then I return and Seize the day</p><p id="6309">Knowing Without knowing I’ll be okay</p><h1 id="3452">Music</h1><p id="472c">Soother of the soul Makes me whole Rhythm plays Body sways Heart dances</p><h1 id="159a">Laughter Limerick</h1><p id="9e16">When this woman’s feeling down Forehead puckered in a frown She digs out the funny Searches for punny Laughter turns her mood around</p><h1 id="312b">Writing</h1><p id="fd1d">Words — Building blocks of thoughts Ideas Opinions Clarify Articulate Share sentences that Resonate</p><p id="44ba">Perhaps create an essay Or a funny piece Play with poetry Whimsical caprice Or serious stuff</p><p id="5b95">The act of writing is Enough to Smooth the way When things get rough</p><p id="74d9">If I’m in a happy mood Writing flows well That’s understood</p><p id="9a36">When words run dry That’s my cue Not all is well in my mental zoo Pause for an inner mission Leave the blank page without contrition Need to see why she’s so blue</p><p id="c1db">I warned Lucy that I’d respond to her prompt <b>“Reflect on what’s in your anxiety toolbox”. </b>She asked me which is my favourite tool. I don’t have one, because each plays a role — sometimes a solo appearance, other times the entire cast is on stage.</p><p id="a552">Here’s the link if you want to join in.</p><div id="bcf3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/inside-this-box-6decf63effad"> <div> <div> <h2>Inside This Box</h2> <div><h3>poetry prompt and self-care

Options

challenge: reflect on what’s in your anxiety toolbox</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*agVo3LGIhQYXQ37YCnYQsg.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="7915"><b>Thank you for being here.</b></p><p id="0795"><b><i>Further reading on mental health you may find helpful:</i></b></p><div id="0478" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-terror-of-agoraphobia-and-how-i-stepped-outside-7aabaca63cc0"> <div> <div> <h2>The Terror of Agoraphobia and How I Stepped Outside</h2> <div><h3>The scariest thing that ever happened to me</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*dF5VDKHQKREcQAu-eXYUtA.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="f0e8" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-push-start-your-mind-let-your-body-do-the-talking-74a63557b937"> <div> <div> <h2>How To Push Start Your Mind — Let Your Body Do The Talking</h2> <div><h3>What to do when your mind stalls</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*Yc_OOVf5xGvmSbO7oJGWNQ.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Mental Health

These Are the Helpful Tools I Always Use to Service My Mental Motor in Case It Backfires

Emotional equilibrium requires on-going self-maintenance forever

The consequences of neglect. (Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay)

My last therapy session was in April 2000, after sixteen years of intermittent bouts of major depressive disorder (MDD) coupled with anxiety attacks.

The grand finale was my admission to a psychiatric clinic with agoraphobia in January of the new millennium. The seven weeks I spent there were the best thing that ever happened.

I worked hard and learned so much — still use the same lessons today.

In poetic form, I present the five tools I use the most, in no order of popularity.

Daily journal

Written kernel of thoughts Some days a sterile roster of Yesterday’s events Scribbled in dispassionate voice Absent of emotion

When past lessons learnt Detect the empty words Of routine without meaning Heart signals a warning The next morning to Engage with Self

I nod, accommodate Thoughts and feelings The good the bad The happy sad Embrace them if they’re helpful Send them off if harmful

Journal put away I’m ready for another day

Morning Meditation

Journal complete, I meditate Two minutes breath work Then disengage from senses Close my eyes Dive into silence

Conscious thoughts whirl Curl up and disappear As mantra whispers in my head ‘Choose me instead’

Twenty minutes pass In which Time dissolves As do my fears And doubts Ego sleeps and Heart connects to Who knows where?

Then I return and Seize the day

Knowing Without knowing I’ll be okay

Music

Soother of the soul Makes me whole Rhythm plays Body sways Heart dances

Laughter Limerick

When this woman’s feeling down Forehead puckered in a frown She digs out the funny Searches for punny Laughter turns her mood around

Writing

Words — Building blocks of thoughts Ideas Opinions Clarify Articulate Share sentences that Resonate

Perhaps create an essay Or a funny piece Play with poetry Whimsical caprice Or serious stuff

The act of writing is Enough to Smooth the way When things get rough

If I’m in a happy mood Writing flows well That’s understood

When words run dry That’s my cue Not all is well in my mental zoo Pause for an inner mission Leave the blank page without contrition Need to see why she’s so blue

I warned Lucy that I’d respond to her prompt “Reflect on what’s in your anxiety toolbox”. She asked me which is my favourite tool. I don’t have one, because each plays a role — sometimes a solo appearance, other times the entire cast is on stage.

Here’s the link if you want to join in.

Thank you for being here.

Further reading on mental health you may find helpful:

Mental Health
Poetry
Life Lessons
This Happened To Me
Psychology
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