Finding Your Truth

wri en by Deborah Monshin

There may now be light at the end of the lock-down tunnel, but we are still lost in a sea of confusing information. Whatever your personal view about the Covid and vaccination situation, there are professionals and laymen on both sides who are fighting to get their conflicting messages across. How does this make you feel? I know over the past year, I have experienced confusion, frustration, impatience, depression and at times, a sensation of being totally overwhelmed. If these feelings sound familiar to you, it’s time to take time out: Understand that the media feeds on fear and confusion; you can reduce a huge amount of stress and anxiety by reducing the amount of news you absorb. Choose the source of your media wisely – if you are able to go online you can control what you are exposed to. A fast track to depression is absorbing negativity. Recognise that most people around you are currently living in fear. It is their choice, but it can be contagious. Avoid people who talk about nothing but Covid. They will demoralise you, and increase feelings of fear, stress and anxiety. Recognise you cannot change them. Accept that there is more than one truth, and that your truth may not be someone else’s. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs, even when they do not agree with yours - everyone is on their own life-path and you have to respect that. Know that what is right for you, and what is your truth, comes from within you, not from external sources. And no, your truth may not always agree with the official narrative, but that’s OK. Increase your feelings of wellbeing by practising compassion, doing acts of kindness, and observing negative thought patterns. Get out in nature, take deep breaths of fresh clean air. Know that ‘This too will pass.’ Make lemonade from your lemons. Have you been made redundant? Are you on furlough? We’ve been given a year to reevaluate our lives. Your mental health and physical well-being are paramount right now, so support your immune system. Count your blessings, tap into your creative soul and rediscover yourself again. Look into online courses or counselling that will help you access that inner wisdom. Be the phoenix rising from the ashes!

Deborah Monshin will be running a Truth Seekers workshop in April to support Finding your Truth. www.deborahmonshin.com