Medication, Meditation and Mindfulness
- Feb 25
- 5 min read
Years ago, as a 21 year old, I experienced the beginning of what was to be a long, ongoing battle with a dysregulated Nervous System and really debilitating anxiety. From breakups to uncontrollable life circumstances, anxiety became centric to how I walked around this world. I lived in a state of constant worry and fear. It was easily explained by a number of really intense life circumstances. Everyone else saw it and agreed, I had been through a LOT. Despite being "seen" it persisted and I felt tethered to it. I saw it and felt defeated. If only they could "pluck" it out of my head like a tumor and we could be on with life... That isn't how it works though.
There were (and still are) times that I feel as though I am being hunted by an invisible predator. I know I'm not, of course! But my body tells a different story. When I began practicing Mindfulness and Meditation, I realized how much it calmed my racing mind and overstimulated body. Medication, Meditation and Mindfulness. Sometimes we require medication and that's OK! I did. Your journey is your own. Whether you choose to use Pharmaceuticals, Psychedelics or Psychology, you aren't wrong. You know your body and mind better than anyone (even if it doesn't feel like it. I know I sure didn't). I will say this: Alcohol and street drugs are never a good option. If you feel like you need help with that, scroll to the bottom, I will list resources.
The Story ...
In between the chaos that causes us to feel of kilter, there is "normal" life. Work, raise kids, etc... I wish I could flip that but, let's be honest, the former is far more impactful for the general population than the latter. I decided to attend a Reiki I & II class and hone my skills in the field of Energetic Wellness and healing. I spent time meditating and exploring the ethereal world. Diving into Mindfulness and how to heal our Internal Self and reconnect with the Divine. Then Covid happened. We, humans, did our very best to pivot in a new world of "Stay home, Stay safe". And it was H A R D!! But - I had a LOT of time to turn inward.
I found that it wasn't as easy to Meditate as it sounded. If I could hide in another part of the house and just have a peaceful hour... kids, dogs and significant other abound - there was only time for a moment. So I used it. I took the classes. I dove elbows deep into listening to the gurus and aligning myself with what others shared. Ultimately, I found that I had great difficulty integrating it into my life for a long time. Until I realized - I've been doing this sort of thing in my own special way all along. I did it at work, when I honored my body with a bathroom break between clients, When I turned on the TV only to read a book. Even when I was cooking. My brain is constant chatter, and I'd hazard a guess that yours is too. Why else would we both here, right now?
Meditation doesn't mean sitting on a little pillow with our fingers pressed to each other, cross-legged, breathing in a musky incense and humming. Silencing our mind isn't the goal. Reflection is. Letting each thought come and then letting it go with a gentle "Thank You". Honoring that chatter. The noise in your head will stop, eventually, (it HAS TO run out of things to think about, doesn't it?) and you will have a moment you didn't notice until you reflect on the experience. Probably... Maybe you're a Guru, incarnate and it just becomes YOU. I hope that's the way of it. Truly!
Each human is so dynamic and different. Therefore the experience is different.
Mindfulness is a whole other practice. For me, it shows up and I use it in a way that honors what I'm feeling right now and not giving it a reason or explanation. Just being with myself. You may not realize it, the same as I didn't, initially - we do it OFTEN! To me, Mindfulness is meeting our SELF where we are, right now. What do I feel right now? How can I support this? Usually, it shows up as feeling crappy or having a moment where I REALLY need that deep breath and to pause. You know your body. You know that tipping point where, if you don't have a minute to just take a deep breath, have a sip of water and wipe the White Board in your head clean of the mess you've made it, you might just ... what? Lose it? Melt down? Dissolve into a Panic Attack? Run away screaming? or D. All of the above.
My Sweet human, breathe. That is the core of Mindfulness and Meditation. If you don't breathe right, your brain doesn't function properly and then guess what? Yep - Panic, Stress, Burnout.. all of the things can (and possibly will likely) come up. It reminds us to care for our machine.
Easiest practice tip: Sit for 60 seconds. Ask yourself - "What am I feeling right now?" and honor that as you would a child asking you for something. What basic NEED do you have?
For example, as I'm sitting here writing this madness, I'm feeling excited and scared. Will the reader agree with me? Am I conveying this in a way that makes sense? Is another, smarter person, going to read this and tell me I'm ... wrong?? I'm uncertain and ultimately that is FEAR. So, I will proofread this, send it to a friend to make sure they have digested what I'm sharing and then I will, with reckless abandon, click the publish button. I will still do it, scared. Because I want to share it with you. I know what I feel and ultimately, this will find someone that it will help.
At the center of Meditation and Mindfulness (to me anyway), is breath and honoring ones Self.
Pro tip: quit caring what other people think and take that moment.
Moral: Breathe, be patient and, in the moments you have, honor yourself. Even for 60 seconds. Set a timer and reflect on one thing. Not to dissect it or over analyze it. But to feel into it and recognize how beautifully human you are.
5 Needs of being a Human (in case you want to know):
Breathe
Sleep
Eat
Drink Water
Poop
Everything in between is what we want. And I can only assume - we all want to FEEL good. Meditate on feeling good! How can you do that in a healthy way? By being mindful of your needs first then your wants, I think..
Bless you, you Perfect Human ;)
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