146: I Over Thought It & Hurt My Own Feelings

/
146: I Over Thought It & Hurt My Own Feelings

Navigating trauma isn’t easy. Not for the person suffering, nor for the people around them.

When triggered, I am faced with an overwhelming gush of emotionality. I feel afraid. I feel like I am reliving the past trauma. This can cause me to act in a way that seems selfish - I will lash out, require comfort or alone time. I can seem angry and ungrateful - Despite this, I need the support of those close to me.

Open and honest communication is key.

In this episode, I read and dissect my poem 'I Over Thought It & Hurt My Own Feelings,’ and discuss how you can help someone who has been triggered.

Read More

145: How Do I Explain This Feeling?

/
145: How Do I Explain This Feeling?

As a response to trauma, we may dissociate.

This is a defence mechanism, one that keeps us safe from the terrors of the moment. It blocks us off from reality and keeps us safe.

Unfortunately, this process can run rampant, triggering itself in times of safety and peace, leaving us confused and unable to understand what is happening or explain it to ourselves or others.

In this episode I read and dissect my poem ‘How Do I Explain This Feeling’.

Read More

144: When Ideals & Reality Clash, Violence Occurs - On Systemic Racism, Protests & Making Real Change

/
144: When Ideals & Reality Clash, Violence Occurs - On Systemic Racism, Protests & Making Real Change

Protesters are on the streets and people are rioting. Police are out in force.

Clearly something needs to change, but will it? Will the passion, anger and outrage over George Floyd's death result in real world change? Or will it die out, only to be reignited following another similar tragedy?

In this episode I explore the causes and results of racism, and dissect the impact of the medias twisting of the narrative to pander to their viewers bias.

I discuss if it is even possible for a ‘privileged’ person to truly empathise and understand systemic racism, and suggest that the changes that are needed may realistically take a long time to be implemented.

Read More

141: Do You Want Emotional Validation Or Actionable Advice?

/
141: Do You Want Emotional Validation Or Actionable Advice?

Emotions colour the perceptions of both the giver and the receiver. Potentially resulting in misalignment of support.

Do you want/need emotional validation, practical support or actionable advice?

In this episode, I discuss the importance of detachment and honest communication on all sides.

Read More

138: The Writer's Prayer

/
138: The Writer's Prayer

Working out how you work is vital. There are many different approaches to performance, but what works best for you?

In this episode I breakdown the optimal circumstances for my own artistic performance, as well as how I came to know it, and then give you the tools to do the same.

Read More

136: Why it Hurts So Much To Heal

/
136: Why it Hurts So Much To Heal

The only way to truly heal is to embrace your past. To acknowledge it, work through it, and accept to it. Ignoring it won’t help, and hoping it will go away is just wishful thinking.

This is a hard process, and one that must be repeated often. But the result are worth it.

In this episode I share how writing therapy has helped me to relieve some of the inner pressure. I cover some of the problems and pitfalls of using writing therapy to address trauma. I also share two pieces of writing therapy, the poem ‘Flash Back’, as well as a short essay ‘What is a dream?’.

Read More

135: Why We Won't Come Out Of This The Same

/
135: Why We Won't Come Out Of This The Same

We are a product of our environment. Our values, beliefs and societal norms are just a construct of the time and place we are born.

Historical events cause societal shifts. War, revolution, natural disasters and disease change the people experiencing them. When those people reintegrate with society, the entire society is transformed.

We are in the middle of an unprecedented global event. In this episode of The Reality Check Podcast, I discuss how our shared experience may transform the foundations of global society.

Read More

134: Clean House, Clean Mind

/
134: Clean House, Clean Mind

Clutter is depressing and anxiety inducing.

Unfortunately anxiety and depression often leads to disorganisation and indecision, which causes the accumulation of more clutter.

This is cyclic.

In this episode I discuss the connection between mental health and our environments, as well as ways that we can take positive action in the face of mental illness and mess.

Read More

133: Lets Avoid An Anarchists Revolution ... Please?

/
133: Lets Avoid An Anarchists Revolution ... Please?

There is a certain romanticism to revolution: overthrowing tyranny, destruction of the systems of corruption, bringing fairness and equality to the oppressed masses.

Unfortunately the reality is violent, chaotic and unpredictable; often with completely undesirable outcomes for most people involved in the revolt.

I am concerned for society. There is so much hate and distrust, perpetuated by communications technology that punishes nuance and rewards soundbites and appeals to emotion.

In this episode I discuss this issue, and what we can to combat it.

Read More

132: Reframing The Coronavirus As Collective Trauma

/
132: Reframing The Coronavirus As Collective Trauma

Looking at Coronavirus through the lens of collective trauma will help us to manage the crisis - both internally and communally.

We are all going through something new, unique and scary. We don’t have complete information, and we are seeing people lose their freedoms, livelihoods and lives.

This is traumatic, and is causing us to act and respond in a compromised way.

In this episode I discuss the importance of mentally re-framing as a way to maintain our mental states and relationships.

Read More

130: Deconstructing The Corona Conspiracy & Draconian Governmental Expansion

/
130: Deconstructing The Corona Conspiracy & Draconian Governmental Expansion

People will profit from Covid-19. They will use this situation to their advantage. This is what people have always done.

It doesn’t mean they created the virus, and it doesn’t mean there is a conspiracy. All it means is that people are opportunistic.

Governments included. We will see an expansion of powers, and thus a contraction of freedoms.

In this episode I deconstruct the conspiracy theories and discuss the personal impact of our governments response to the crisis.

Read More

95: The Lag Between Taking Action & Actually Noticing Results

/
95: The Lag Between Taking Action & Actually Noticing Results

There is a lag between taking action to improve yourself (diet, exercise, meditation etc) and noticing the results of those actions.

Keep this in mind whenever you start a new positive habit. If you know that it will take a while to see any benefits. then you will persevere with it long enough to actually see those results.

Read More

94: My Morning Routine (& How You Can Make One Work For You!)

/
94: My Morning Routine (& How You Can Make One Work For You!)

For me, sticking to a morning ritual is key, both for my mental health, but also for my productivity. In this episode I break down my morning, I talk about why I use a routine, as well as how you can implement one in your life.

My mornings in a nutshell:
- Wake at 6am
- Green tea with jasmine
- Meditate (40 mins)
- Black coffee
- Russian language lesson #1 (3 mins)
- Exercise (45 mins)
- Russian language lesson #2 (3 mins)
- Prioritise my day (3 mins)
- Respond to social (5 mins)
- Post on social (5 mins)
- Cold shower

Click to listen to this episode!

Read More

93: Meditation - The Lead Domino For Good Mental Health

/
93: Meditation - The Lead Domino For Good Mental Health

If I could only choose one treatment option to manage my mental health, I would choose Mindfulness Meditation.

It is the lead domino for mental health. It will enhance your focus, clarity and ability to detach from negative thoughts.

Read More

92: Making The Impossible Possible - Then Remembering How To Do It Again

/
92: Making The Impossible Possible - Then Remembering How To Do It Again

You have done the impossible, but it just doesn’t feel that special because it is a thing of the past. You have grown since then. The person that found it ‘impossible’ no longer exists. Thus it is increasingly easy to discount those accomplishments.

Try to remember how hard it was, and despite that difficulty, you persisted and succeeded any way.

Realise that this will happen again. What you think of as impossible, will (with time and effort) be overcome, and it too will become easy.

Read More

91: Who Is Worse Off? Is It Possible To Ever Tell?

/
91: Who Is Worse Off? Is It Possible To Ever Tell?

How can you ever know if one person is worse off than another? Given that we all view the world through a subjective lens, this may be impossible. In this episode, I talk about how I approach this issue, and use it to help myself and others.

Read More