Halcyon ecstasy

I once met a person, who was having a little bit difficulty communicating with other people. He told me that he's been suffering from depression and anxiety. There's a lot to talk, but I don't want to mention his name so we are going to call him Jon for now.

The beginning:
Jon is not a social person. He's been through a lot. He grew up in a narcissist family, where his mother always saw him as that one object that she could take out her frustration on. This is the reason why he is kind of introvert. Can't blame him though...

Fast forward today:
We had a heart to heart conversation about our past life. While I was talking to him, I notice that he was too negative about his life. He always complained about being alone, sad, and depressed for most of his life. Anyway, he had a difficult time making friends and communicating with other people, including the members of his family. The funny thing was that after I suggested him to join me and my company of baboons(my friends), he refused. The only time he was comfortable talking was either when he was in his comfort zone or with someone whom he knew for a long time.

It took me a while, but finally, I finally came up with a solution.

You cannot stop the seas, but you can sail on it

Well, whoever is reading this, first of all thank you for taking some time, and before going ahead with your reading, I would like to tell you that I, by no means have any sort of degree for mental health, this is just my opinion, so don't get mad if it doesn't fit with your ethos.


Many people see their negative thought as a bit of a huge problem, like some kind of malignant tumor, ready to attack. Sometimes too many negative thoughts can do so much harm, like heart problems, high blood pressure etc. Then you usual response to that situation is suppression. In worst cases, you need medications to do so. You go to religious communities, and the hazy, amorphous suggestion is too much for your mind. So then, should one give up?

OFCOURSE NOT!

I told him one simple drill. It's called thought counting. I suggested him to write down his thought, as negative as it may seem, just put them down somewhere. He kept doing it, and soon found the hidden writer in him. But still, he's a bit naive to accept it. But this drill really helps a lot. So how does it work? Well, think of it this way, your writing instrument(in his case the smartphone) is like a mirror. It doesn't show you what you are inside, but a reflection. When you put on good clothes, you look in a mirror to see how you look right?
The same thing happens when you put your thoughts on paper. Because when you read them again, you find yourself questions "Is this really me?" or "Wow! few minutes/days ago I was thinking this" This helps the brain to train itself to deal with tough situations more efficiently because, your brain can now see a reflection of itself, through those written words.


So...what is the big picture then?
Writing allows you to express yourself freely. your journal is not going to judge you, it's not going to leave you unless of course
you lose it or it is from a Harry Potter movie. People who suffer from such problems must try it sometimes. Of course, by all means, I suggest doing therapy, but whenever you feel anxious, or alone or left out, let your emotions, feelings, and thought be recorded. Who knows, maybe someone else may relate to same kind of experience that you were experiencing and you may be helpful to them as well. Life is a gift,LIVE IT, LOVE IT!