studentofthegame

I will do mate, and likewise if you end up on another platform. I might resurrect my journal or start a vlog as mentioned... i'm giving it some thought. I realised after i posted that it has been a year since my last post on your journal... amazing how quickly time passes sometimes... this could be great motivation to use time to the full! Keep up the progress.

@Gladius It's been some journey. Well done on all your progress. Using an online journal on this site definitely had it's benefits. These days i am trying to build a pen to paper journalling routine, which is good but lacks the accountability aspect that sharing a journal online can offer. Perhaps an online blog is an option. That is something i will think about.

@Gladius hi mate. that's an interesting observation about an inner fear to post. I experienced it with my journal. I felt reluctant to write about setbacks, as it could appear that i was making no progress or wasting my time. But, reading my old journal front to back, landmark progress is obvious to me, no matter how many set backs or resets with 'back to basics'. What ive learned is that it's part of the human condition to slip up, or find yourself going off-course. The key is noticing it and making corrections. A bit like a space ship which is by default heading off-course and relies on constant correction. So, definitely for me, it's always enjoy the wins, and when there's a wobble then back to basics : )

Hi mate. Good to catch up with your newer journal. Some real progress evident and a clear evolution in your thinking. Keep it up.

@Gladius Hi mate. I did look into family constellations after your message. I will update on that when I have spent more time with it. Thanks it was good to catch up and read your updates in your journal. You mentioned things like forgetting certain insights, and occasionally slipping up. These are things that happen to all of us and will continue to do so (this is also a reminder to myself). One of the things i am gradually learning is to accept slip ups and not to let them set me off course. In certain arenas, mistakes are essential parts of the process. The point about forgetting is a good one. I believe it is referred to in spiritual texts - 'the forgetting'. It is why reading and re-reading books is valuable, taking notes, having conversations, learning and being inspired. I fell into the trap for many years of reading the information but not acting on it, and then in recent years I have read very little and forgotten a lot of the principles. For me it is about balance. Doing the work but also reading to remember. Things are well at the moment, but i am working on locking in certain daily habits. And i am trying to keep them very simple.

EMDR has finished for the most part, possibly a few sessions later in the year to wrap it up, but the therapist has left me with some techniques to continue to process traumas by myself. EMDR hasn't been a miracle / lightswitch cure for me but it is another tool in the box. I know without any doubt that a wholistic approach to self-care / therapy / healing / growth / inquiry or whatever other pursuit is the way forwards. And remembering that we are humans not robots and being very kind to ourselves when we slip. Would I recommend EMDR? Yes, it's worth looking into. These past few months I have established a daily walk in solitude and it has become a very important part of my day. However I have been tired lately and I put a lot of it down to being dehydrated, so it's 'back to basics' and re-establishing a habit of carrying a bottle of water around everywhere I go.

Sounds as if it has been an interesting few months with some challenges for you. As you say, progress is always non-linear and we will have bumps / challenges in the road. The quote about trauma rings very true. It's in the moment that we can slip up. Also when we are stressed or tired. Incidentally I have heard that a meditation practise can make us less reactive in the moment and give us a small moment to pause and choose our reactions. Sounds as if there is some important things happening career wise for you... prepare well and good luck! It's been good to catch up on your updates.

Im working my way through the huberman podcasts. I tend to look for simple solutions that intuitively make sense to me. And one of those that huberman has given me is the importance of getting sunlight in your eyes in the morning. Very simple, very actionable and strikes me as worthwhile. Basically i listen to the podcasts and write down a few key pointers that I can put to the test. Don't get bogged down in all the theory, focus on putting the practical suggestions to the test if you are moved to.

Still relatively early days with the EMDR and i'll be seeing it through until the end. In the mean time, more work on the basics. I sleep well most nights and only have the occasional late night. Sleep is a priority. My eating is now becoming more balanced and moderate and i am eating more fruit and vegetables, cutting down on alcohol and 'treats'. I am still very interested in gut health and have some work to do on that. Need to increase exercise and after listening to the Huberman Lab podcast, i have learned of the importance of getting sunlight exposure, particularly in the morning soon after the sun has risen. Generally finding out quality information such as this gives me a tremendous boost and fills me with confidence, but of course it's acting on the information that is important and sometimes there is resistance to doing even simple things like making the effort to go outside first thing in the morning. This is what i need to work on.

Good luck with the professional challenge my friend and remember if it is throwing up fear and doubt then there is growth on offer. 'No growth in comfort'. Looking forward to hearing how it goes.

@Gladius i share your perception of 'catching up with normal people'. It does feel like that doesn't it. A good reminder for oneself is that everyone is on a journey and is on their own path. Keep it up mate.

@Gladius Yes I remember you mentioned EMDR before. I'm glad you found that it helped. I have been exploring and processing old traumas for a number of years now, with different therapies, but i still feel like there is a lot of work to do. Reading 'the body keeps the score' was an education and has led to the EMDR. Ultimately, as we have discussed, the key is to inhabit the body and not to overly identify with the mind. I don't intend to spend decades in therapy. The aim has always been to do the work and then support myself with a balanced lifestyle, time in nature, and listening to the body. Your latest post on your page has me thinking about starting a new journal myself. That will be an option - this journal was always about experimenting and exploring. Perhaps I will review the whole journal at the end of the year and look at what worked and what was not useful.

Undertaking a new therapy. EMDR. Hoping it isn't too long term, as it is expensive. Goal is to process old traumas and help myself to live in the moment, rather than the past or future. The therapist has noticed in early sessions that I occupy my head far too much and I need to move into the body. This makes sense to anyone who's read 'The body keeps the score' or 'the power of now' - although it's good to remember that you don't need to understand this conceptually. You need to feel it, and stop identifying with the mind all the time. What I find helpful is to 'check in' with the gut. Alongside that, the daily work is to maintain balance in all things, which i believe is one of the keys to life. @Gladius glad you found Huberman useful. I'm still working through his podcasts and making notes of any practical advice that intuitively makes sense.

Sounds as if you are making fantastic progress. If you were ever to review this journal i think it would be quite an emphatic read! Maybe a bit emotional too! I know what you mean about not being sure what to post. I'm sure there will come a point where this particular journal has run its course for you. I have been thinking about this myself lately. I have started a new therapy which I will post about, and I have a big year ahead which I will document on my journal. After that I will consider moving on. I like the idea of a very small group of like-minded people offering support and accountability on a platform, but i'm not sure what that would be. Anyway, keep up the good work ?

Feels like i've been on a rollercoaster recently. Started to find balance in terms of eating, good habits, positive mindset, then found myself quickly slipping back into a pretty dark place. After conversations with people close to me I have found the inspiration to get going again. I have long felt in my gut that for me at least, a productive morning is the key to a good day so that is what I am focusing on for the coming weeks. Getting up at a set time and getting some exercise either at the gym or by going for a walk outside in nature. No pressure on me to do anything else for now, just getting that right. @Gladius Glad you found some Value in the van warmerdam podcasts my friend. I was recently recommended to listen to the Huberman Lab podcast. He is a neuroscientist and the podcast deep dives into lots of important areas of health and wellness with a science based approach. I'm a few episodes in and am learning a lot. I would recommend you give him a listen ?