Depression often gets a bad rap, confused with plain old sadness. But guess what? Many folks stuck in the depths of depression aren’t sad at all—they’re just chilling in a frozen state!

It’s like their brains flipped the “protective mode” switch.

We need to see depression as a reaction, not as a pesky illness.

Back in my deepest, darkest days, I realized my brain was just trying to shield itself. I remember thinking, “Feeling numb is like a body part going into hibernation!” Sure, it dulls the hurt, but to wake up again, you’ve got to give it some TLC. And let’s be real—nobody gives you a crash course on this battle, making it all the more tricky!

We grow up with the notion of happy endings, only to find ourselves confronted with the harsh truth that survival often involves masking our pain.

Perhaps the hardest part is not just enduring, but doing so quietly, concealing the weight we carry.

Yet, amid it all, we discover a strength we never knew we possessed, for despite the heaviness, we continue to move ahead.

As we kick off a brand new year, I just want to shout out a HUGE thank you to everyone who’s been part of my wild ride. And to anyone feeling a bit lost, trust me, there’s a sparkling light waiting for you at the end of that dark tunnel.

Here’s to endless gratitude and the happiest New Year ever—may it be the best one yet! 🎉✨

You just go through the motions on autopilot.

Numb to everything, not looking forward to anything.

You lose interest in everything you once loved.

Foggy intuition, robot mode.

Drugs and alcohol just amplify this zombie state of mind.

I’ve been there. It’s very much possible to turn it around.

Is it going to be easy? All you need is a sprinkle of curiosity and a pinch of courage to dive deep into the whirlpool Mind body and spirit. We have to change our lifestyle to adjust sometimes.

You either will in life or you won’t and that’s what separates us from the rest.

I have all the faith in YOU!! We are here for you and I love you.

The woman behind Harry Potter brought joy to millions, but admits she felt despair while writing the magical novels. Her dark moods even inspired her series’ soul-sucking creatures known as Dementors. “It’s so difficult to describe [depression] to someone who’s never been there, because it’s not sadness,” she told Oprah Winfrey in 2010.

“But it’s that cold absence of feeling — that really hollowed-out feeling.” 

First up, we have sleep—the ultimate escape artist!

It whisks us away from the chaos and heartaches of the world, giving our minds a cosy little shield against all that pesky pain. You could be knee-deep in laundry or scrubbing dishes, and suddenly, all you can think is, “Nap time, please!” Sweet dreams await!

Next up is the art of forgetting—because let’s face it, some wounds are like those stubborn stains that just won’t budge! Those memories? Ouch! They can linger longer than a bad song stuck in your head. Sure, they say “time heals all wounds,” but let’s not kid ourselves—time’s more like a comforting hug that can’t quite fix the broken vase. It helps us see things clearer, but it often leaves those pesky emotional scars behind, reminding us that some battles leave marks that never fully fade!

Adverse childhood experiences, for example, are traumatic events that occur during childhood that have effects that last into adulthood. Such experiences can include things like neglect, abuse, violence, substance use, divorce, and the loss of a loved one.

These adverse early experiences are linked to later problems, including depression, unemployment, financial difficulties, substance use, and health problems.

Despite the passage of time, these wounds leave a lasting mark that time alone does not heal.

The following things may prolong your healing even though a notable amount of time has passed:

Remaining fixated on something, like how a harsh breakup ended
Refusing to let go of a betrayal by holding a grudge
Denial that something has happened
Not forgiving yourself or a person who was accountable for the wound or trauma
Not having a solid support system or emotional outlet to express your emotions
Resorting to unhealthy coping and/or distraction mechanisms
Relying on drinking or taking drugs to numb pain associated with the event

Of course, some experiences are so traumatic that they leave us scarred for a while, and this scarring is our brain’s way of keeping us healthy

Consider Robin Williams, Anthony Bourdain and DJ Avicii. Despite the passing of time, they still struggled with depression, the pressures of life, and/or numbness from the loss of loved ones.

Michael Phelps, the swimmer who’s won 28 Olympic medals said his first “depression spell” happened in 2004, but his lowest point came after the 2012 Games.

Phelps said he sat alone in his bedroom for 3 to 5 days “not wanting to be alive,” and he knew he needed help.

After he sought treatment and started talking about his feelings, he said “life became easy.”

Now he understands that “it’s OK to not be OK.”

Bruce Springsteen “The Boss” had bouts of depression in his 60s that “lasted for a long time,” he told CBS Sunday Morning. “It’s like this thing that engulfs you. I got to where I didn’t want to get out of bed.” He said it didn’t affect his work, and wife Patti Scialfa’s “strength and love” were key.

“She’d say, ‘You’re going to be OK. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it’s going to be all right.’ ”

He also got professional help.

Gwyneth Paltrow; the Academy Award-winning actress shined a light on postpartum depression when she opened up about her 5-month battle after the birth of her second child, Moses.

“I felt like a zombie,” she told Good Housekeeping in 2011. “I couldn’t access my heart. I couldn’t access my emotions. I couldn’t connect.” She dealt with clinical depression, too, after her father died in 2002. 

Ashley Judd, the Kiss the Girls actress had what she calls a “dysfunctional” childhood.

She felt isolated and insecure. As a result, she’s felt a bad place as an adult.

Things took a turn for the better, though, when she checked into a treatment facility in 2006.

“I needed help,” she told Glamour magazine. “I was in so much pain.”

Ashley’s mother, Naomi Judd, the country music icon, died by suicide in April 2022 after a long battle with depression. She told ABC News and WebMD contributor Robin Roberts that she began to feel what she called “completely debilitating and life-threatening depression” in 2010.

She says she “would come home and not leave the house for 3 weeks and not get outta my pyjamas, not practice normal hygiene.

It was really bad.” She wrote about her depression in her book River of Time: My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope.

These are clear indications that time alone is not enough to heal emotional wounds.

Back to my forgetfulness; I could totally blank on the basics—like what day it is, what time it is, or even the date!

It’s like my brain hits the snooze button on reality!

Third up is madness, where the brain takes a wild detour to dodge a colossal hit, seeking refuge in the land of insanity.

Sometimes this escape is a blessing, sometimes not; the mind might come back or decide to stay on holidays. For me, this is where the chaos erupted—six months of my brain being on a rollercoaster ride! Not the outrageous kind, but a sneaky blend of quiet moments, chattiness, snoozing for ages, and pulling all-nighters like a party animal!

Last on the list is death, the ultimate escape hatch.

A weary mind pushes itself to the brink until it just can’t anymore.

I mean, nothing really hurts when you’re six feet under, right? But hey, I’m super relieved I didn’t hit that low. Help swooped in just in time! With true friends, my tribe cheering me on, and the magical trio of deep breaths, scribbling my heart out, and chatting up my own reflection, I found my groove again.

Plus, oh, the wonders of meditation, nature walks, and fuelling my body with good eats worked wonders!

You’ve got this too!

Gratitude is like that secret spice that makes everything taste better.

So here’s a gigantic virtual bear hug for sticking with us—thank you!

Let’s sprinkle some inner peace seeds and watch our outer worlds sparkle like a disco ball!

Let’s pump up our patience and turn the courage dial to max!

So when life throws its wildest curveballs, we can just smile and say, “Not today!”

Here’s to dreamy days that unfold like magic—sparkly, full of wonder, and overflowing with love and joy. Hugs and kisses, Xo!

When it comes to making meaningful life changes, many believe that thinking big is crucial for success.
Yet, Lynette Stein (Lynnie), author of “Whispers of Magic,” presents a different perspective.
She highlights that genuine transformation arises from the cumulative impact of numerous small choices.
Discover the power of small changes through her Shades of Magic book series, featuring titles like “I Love You,” Everything You Love About Yourself, and Sensuous Beings, all available on Amazon.
These books draw inspiration from her transformative courses and retreats that have empowered countless individuals to enhance their relationships, careers, and overall well-being.

We want to feed you!
(with interesting, mouth-watering updates)

P.S. FREE GIFT!

Subscribe and also receive FREE Gut Check Guide

I’ll send you love letters regularly with more delicious goodies to help your life and tummy shine.

You may unsubscribe at anytime.

No SPAM ever! Read the privacy policy

 Have you peeked at my rad school yet?