Category: Mental Health

Certain Truths

On By epil(epsy)ogueIn Mental Health, Personal StoriesLeave a comment

List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

  1. Epilepsy will never be cured. Especially mine, not in my lifetime, not this intractable, unknown caused, epileptic brain.
  2. All living things are mortal- life is too short, live and enjoy it while you can. Go explore, learn, and experience while you still have the capacity to.
  3. The Second Law of Thermodynamics – The Second Law is often cited as the reason for the “arrow of time.” The universe is observed to be evolving from a state of lower entropy (the Big Bang) to a state of higher entropy, giving time a direction. In simpler terms, heat flows from hotter to colder environments. This is how I keep myself warm, by sucking the warmth out of others.
  4. Change is constant – you are a speck on top of a world rotating around the sun. This sun is rotating around a universe, rotating around a galaxy rotating around a solar system rotating several galaxies. All plunging through space together because… we exploded together. That is wild to think about. So technically on a base level, you are truly forever in motion. So if someone tells you to “get off the couch and get moving” you can tell them you have! But I wouldn’t recommend the response unless you want to keep your job, relationship, or allowance.
  5. You are reading this sentence. This is a direct, undeniable experience you are having right now. At some point, you had past experiences that led you here. And you will make choices from this moment that will influence your path forward. Your life is partially a creation of your choices.
Mouth of Truth in Rome, Italy
Photo by Sergio Scandroglio
  1. Every person is unique. Even those who share the same DNA. Their perspective and their communication is entirely their own and should be respected within reason.
  2. To learn, you must admit you do not know. This is extremely difficult, especially as you become more well versed in a subject and your ego gets in the way.
  3. The energy spent on the focus of what others may think is useless. It is very likely that they are spending a lot less time thinking about you than what you are assuming they are. Dress, put on makeup, dance for you, no one else.
  4. You can only control your own emotions, actions, and decisions.
  5. Beliefs should conform to one’s best scientific understanding of the world. One should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit one’s beliefs. – TST
  6. “The Greatest Thing, You’ll Ever Learn, Is Just to Love, And Be Loved, In Return.” – Nature Boy by Nat King Cole

Your thoughts?

Do you agree with any of the above? Why or why not?

Finding Harmony Amidst Change: Letting Go for a More Peaceful You

On By epil(epsy)ogueIn Mental Health, Personal StoriesLeave a comment

What could you let go of, for the sake of harmony?

Getting a diagnosis of a chronic illness, or even experiencing an injury that fundamentally alters your life’s path, can be absolutely devastating. The initial shock, the grief, the fear – these are powerful emotions that are unlikely to remain static. Your feelings today are not what they were yesterday, and they will almost certainly evolve in the months and years to come.

My first piece of advice is simple: take things day by day.

Small meadow with the forest in the background, and the mountains in the distance illuminated in a pink hue by the sunset.
Photo by @epil_epsy_ogue


It takes time to process such a monumental shift. For me, it took five years to truly begin resetting my way of thinking. I had once made plans to move far away, back to a place I’d lived before, but that location was distant from my family and my vital support system. My career aspirations also underwent a radical transformation. As I came to terms with the possibility that I might never drive again, I began researching careers that significantly reduced the need for me to be driven frequently.

This journey is one of constant development. It’s about gently letting go of who you used to be, and with it, all your original plans and expectations. This isn’t an ending; it’s a powerful shift. “This is who I am now,” I tell myself, “and I am okay with it.”

It will indeed be a long journey, filled with days that are better than others. And it’s perfectly okay to not be okay! Feelings of frustration, disappointment, and even anger are normal.

There will be things you once enjoyed doing that you can no longer participate in, and it is right and healthy to mourn those losses. But remember, you are still that same great person. Your contributions to the world may simply take a different form. You can absolutely still be a dignified, social, and beautiful person, despite an illness.

In the context of these feelings, achieving harmony refers to a state of inner peace and balance that can exist despite challenging external circumstances or waves of negative emotions. I admit, this is far easier said than done.

Stacked stones balanced in a decorative way.
Photo by Shiva Smyth

It’s about cultivating an equilibrium within yourself, where diverse emotions, thoughts, and experiences can coexist without spiraling into internal conflict or distress. This often involves practicing positive self-talk, leaning into your core beliefs, and grounding yourself with the support of friends and family to maintain a stable emotional state.

For the sake of this inner harmony, I am actively working to let go of my expectations of perfection for my future. I encourage you to join me on this journey.

How would you answer the question above? Let me know in the comments.

Bad day? Four tips to have a brighter day.

On By epil(epsy)ogueIn Health and Wellness, Mental HealthLeave a comment

It was early, the sun was shining ☀️, the birds were singing 🐦. But I must have gotten out of bed on the wrong side. Every little thing was irking me. My partner was complaining about his back, again. He was trying to help me with something on my phone and all I could focus on was his coffee breath. ☕ Dallas went out to pee, and he was sniffing the bush for what I thought was for-ev-er.
My partner even told me he donated $100 to a local 8-year-old rock climber, who was crushed by a boulder and lost her leg. All I got was annoyed that he didn’t use his $100 elsewhere. (Like for food for people during this Covid time? Not sure I actually had an idea in mind. Again, I was just being a grouch.)
That’s what I knew I needed an attitude adjustment. How can any human be annoyed from somebody helping an eight year old girl in need? Had I suddenly turned evil overnight? Most likely not, I just desperately needed a change in mindset. 🧠


So how do we help ourselves when we feel that the world cannot do anything right?

Be aware of your words and your actions. The good news is that you realize you are grumpy. And grumpy might be an understatement… However you have the advantage here because you can recognize this. Keep that awareness; be very careful how you treat and talk to the people around you. Try to keep in mind that they are not meaning to annoy or hurt. Unless you have been very mean to them already, I’m sure they don’t even know that you’re feeling this way. You can inform them that you need a little bit of space in order to get yourself back to a not easily activated state. Be honest, tell them that there is nothing that they can do. It is best to just let you have your space at this time.

Change your atmosphere. Okay so you can’t quite just get back into bed, close your eyes, open them and literally get out on the other side of the bed, and all will be fixed. But you can change the environment that you’re in right now. If you can be outside, and breathe some fresh air, do so. Let some sun beams melt that ice on your heart. 😎 But please wear sunscreen!

Do one activity that you know always makes you happy. You know that one scene in the movie that always makes you laugh out loud? Watch that scene. Do you have a video game that you can immerse yourself in and remove yourself from reality for a moment? Play it. Are you a workout junky that gets that endorphin kick when you do 2000 jumping jacks? Jump away! Read more about how movement matters to improve mood.

Fake it ’till you make it. A wiser fella than myself once said: start with the actions, and the feelings will follow. Start with a small grin. Voice appreciation for the small things. Soon you may find yourself truly smiling and aware of the better, brighter day you are having. 🌞

How do you usually turn your frown upside down? If you use any of these tips, let us know in the comments!