The Life of The Tortured Artist: Vincent van Gogh.
Vincent Willem Van Gogh who was born on the 30th of March 1853 in Zunder, Netherlands and died on the 29th of July 1890 in Auvers-sur-oise, France was a Dutch Post-impressionist painter who after his death became one of the most famous figures in history. N.B: Post-impressionism is an art movement that expresses emotion rather than realism. Within a decade, Vincent Van Gogh created about 2,100 artworks which includes about 800 oil paintings and most of them were created within the last two years of his life. These painting include landscapes, still-life, portraits, self-portraits. Vincent was born into an upper-middle class family and as a child, he drew, was very serious, quiet and thoughtful. As a young man, he worked as an art dealer and he traveled often. He was transferred to London in 1873 which was the happiest year of his life but, his time in London did not end happily because he became isolated which led to him being depressed. He later moved back home in 1881 and concentrated on his painting & drawing.
When he began painting, he used peasants and farmers as his models, flowers and landscapes and then himself because he was too poor to pay his subjects. However, his brother Theo often supported him financially but Van Gogh who was obsessed with his art chose to use all the funds to purchase more creative supplies. Van Gogh was never famous as a painter during his time on earth. Only one of his paintings sold during his lifetime and that was "The Red Vineyard" which went for 400 francs in Belgium.
Van Gogh constantly struggled with poverty and his mental health. He suffered from psychotic episodes, delusions and seizures.. and even though he worried about his mental stability, he often neglected his physical health as he drank heavily and did not eat properly. He was nicknamed "Le fou roux" which means "The Redheaded Madman". It is popularly believed that Van Gogh cut off his own ear when he was engaged in a heated argument with his friend Paul Gauguin. Van Gogh had threatened his friend with a cut-throat razor but ended up having a mental breakdown so instead of harming Gauguin, Van Gogh sliced off his own ear and later wrapped it and gave it to a young woman named Gabrielle Berlatier who was a cleaner at a brothel.
After the ear incident, Van Gogh decided to check himself into the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole hospital formerly known as an asylum where he was diagnosed with acute mania with generalized derilium. While he was in the hospital, he continued creating works of art and that was where he completed his most famous work: "Starry Night". It is now recognized as a masterpiece but van Gogh was never happy with this piece and he thought it, and other works he completed in the hospital were failures. He was later discharged from the hospital at the age of 37..however, his mental health continued to decline. Things continued to get worse for van Gogh until the 27th of July 1890 when he shot himself in the chest with a revolver. Two doctors tended to him but couldn't get the bullet out.
He died two days later due to an infection in the wound. On his deathbed, his last words to his brother were "La Tristesse Durera Toujours" — "The Sadness Will Last Forever".
*I am seriously short of words and my heart bleeds for this man.*
His brother Theo, died six months later and his wife had his body buried in the Auvers cemetery next to Vincent. Johanna, Theo's wife who was a big supporter of van Gogh then began collecting as many of van Gogh's paintings as she could.
Ten years later on the 17th of March, 1901.. 71 of van Gogh's paintings were displayed at a show in Paris and gradually, his fame began to grow.
Today, Vincent van Gogh is considered one of the greatest artists in human history.
Notable works of Vincent van Gogh:
1. The Potato Eaters (1885)
2. Sunflowers (1887)
3. Bedroom in Arles (1888)
4. Starry Night (1889)
5. Portrait of Dr. Gachet (1890)
6. Wheatfield with crows (1890)
7. The Siesta (1890)
8. Church at Auvers (1890)
***"In spite of everything, I shall rise again; I shall take up my pencil which I have forsaken in my great discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing." –Vincent van Gogh.***
I'm truly inspired.
Deeply grateful for my readers and sponsors. Thank you.
Big thanks to everyone here who take their time to engage on my articles and even motivate me one way or the other, I'm really grateful. And special thanks to @LeticiaFelize for the renewal of sponsorship. I'm grateful for you and all that you do.
Big thanks to everyone here who take their time to engage on my articles and even motivate me one way or the other, I'm really grateful. And special thanks to @LeticiaFelize for the renewal of sponsorship. I'm grateful for you and all that you do.
Nature's Blessings.
What comes to your mind when you think of the word "Nature"?
When I think of nature, I think of the world, the entire universe. Plants, animals, air, mountains, deserts, valleys, soils, minerals, climate, earthquakes, erosions, the sun, the moon, the stars and so much more. NATURE = THE PHYSICAL WORLD. If you ask me, I'd say Nature is phenomenal. It lives, it moves, it reproduces. Absolutely stunning. Nature has been in existence since forever and it really is an important part of mankind.
A MOTHER.
A mother cares and provides for her children. That is exactly what nature does. Nature blesses humans in numerous ways however most people fail to see it's importance. We literally depend on nature to survive. The food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the raw materials we need, the land we live on, the sun that shows up during the day and the moon and stars during the night. Take all these away and we are nothing. It's high time we start being appreciative and paying more attention to nature.
A TEACHER.
We learn something new from the world each day if we pay close attention to it. Nature teaches us patience, cooperation, unity, the true meaning of beauty, growth, development, love. Most times we fail to recognize how much of a teacher nature is. How about we try to be more observant?
A HEALER.
There are times when I feel lost or sad and all it takes is just a really beautiful view to help me feel better. Could be sunrise or sunset or even the moon. I really love the moon. It has this calming aura. It's advisable to let the moon heal you when you're stressed. Listen to a soothing music whilst enjoying the moon's company. Get sucked up in it, enjoy the view and observe all your worries slip away slowly. Even if it's just for that period of time, it's still a feeling you want to experience.. trust me.
Then there's the sunset, which is really beautiful and symbolizes rest. The sunset is telling you to close that chapter of your life that needs to be closed, be at peace with your decision and just rest. Rest because you've done a great job. Rest because the warrior in you is in need of it. Rest because you deserve it.
And this is where the sunrise comes in. Also really calming and helps you see the bright side of things, of life. It's not just about the breathtaking view, it's also about the significance. Sunrise symbolizes growth, new beginnings, resurrection. It basically motivates you to rise up, to try again even after many failed attempts, to take certain decisions and start new chapters in your life. A sunrise is proof that no matter what happens in your life, everyday can start beautifully. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel.
There are so many other elements of nature that have the ability to heal and even silence is part of them. Nature is a healer. It soothes, it takes away pain, it restores. Nature's peace will flow away into you, if only you let it.
Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better. – Albert Einstein
Nature deserves to be respected and cared for.. instead we destroy and pollute it, which is really sad. From the animated movie "Moana", we're made to understand that mother nature is a giver. Take her heart away and darkness consumes the earth... which is why the world is as it is today. Nature is God's art and we should be grateful for it everyday of our lives because we truly are nothing without it.
If you truly love nature,you will find beauty everywhere. – Vincent van Gogh
Within nature lies the cure for humanity. – Anonymous
If you can't be in awe of mother nature, then there's something wrong with you. – Alex Trebek.
All images including the lead image were shot by me.
©the_northstar
Lessons learnt from Therapy...
Hola! Therapy session coming up! 🥁🥁🥁🥁🎷🎷🎷🕺🏽💃🏽 Sorry I can be a bit dramatic sometimes but hey, I'm just really excitedddd and I'm typing this on the spot so, I can't wait to see how it turns out.
So.. today, I'd be sharing with you lessons some people learnt from Therapy. You probably saw the title and thought it was about me yeah? Well, I actually wish but I have never been to therapy. So here's how it'll go.. I have couple of tweets which I'd be sharing today. They're about one or two lessons people have gotten from Therapy. So I'd post a tweet and below it, I'd air my thoughts on it. Enjoy.
This should be fun right? Okay,let's goooo!!
I love the last statement. "To anyone struggling, you're valid." You really are. You're important. You're seen. Please don't neglect your issues or hesitate to talk about them just cause you feel other people have it worse. No matter how small you might think it is, it's not so small if it bothers you over and over again, gives you sleepless nights, migraines, anger issues, the need to dissociate and so much more.. take care of yourself. 🤍
There are people who feel the need to make others go through one thing or the other that they went through in the past. Could be physical abuse, emotional abuse, kidnap, rape, slavery,.. etc. They want you to feel the exact pain they felt cause they don't like the fact that there are people out there that didn't or haven't gone through what they went through. It's that mentality of "If I can't have it, neither can you." "If I can't have a trauma-free life, why should you have one?" You know, sometimes these people can be our parents. Let's face it. And if we then pass it on to our children and our children passes it on to theirs, what then have we achieved? Please, be the one to break the cycle. Instead of making people feel as bad as you did, fight against it. When you come across someone going through something you can relate to, be their comfort zone. Let them find peace and comfort in your arms.
Spending time with people is nice but give yourself some "me-time" sometimes. Spend time with yourself. Spend time meditating, soliloquizing, listening to music, reading. There are so many things you could do with yourself. Your company should be something you enjoy.
The world doesn't revolve around you. Quit assuming that people's every act or reactions has to do with you. We all have our separate lives and everyone has one thing or the other going on. So just focus on you instead of trying to make everything about you.
Hey you, yes you.. why are you reducing your standards just cause someone else isn't comfortable with it? Do they have to be comfortable with it? If you've set certain boundaries due to reasons best know to you, please stick to them. Don't cut them down just cause you're trying to make someone else happy. Those boundaries and standards are clearly important to you and that's why you set them in the first place so.. why let them go? I mean, if that person or those people love and care for you, they'd respect your decision. Don't you think? Resist the urge to displease yourself in order to please others.
It's okay and normal to be sad after making the right decision. Just cause you're hurting after making a decision doesn't mean it's still not the right one. Cry. Hurt. Grieve. Feel every bit of the emotion that comes after making sad decisions but at the end of the day, stick to that decision. You know fully well why you made it in the first place. "Grieving doesn't have to mean you want it back." Actually, sometimes when you make the decision to leave someone.. you might start wanting the bond back right after cause you've gotten so used to that person and it feels like a part of you is gone but know that, you might not "need" it back. Want. Need. Two different terms. You might want something but that doesn't necessarily mean that you need it. Focus on what you need. You left that toxic friendship or relationship cause you needed Peace of mind, stability, happiness and you needed to find yourself. Focus on that. It's okay to miss and want them but do you need them?
Damn. I fell in love with this Emotion & Feeling Wheel the moment I set my eyes on it. So much clarity! It's so beautiful and detailed. Hats off to whosoever took their time to put it together. It's really overwhelming when you don't know what you're really feeling. There are times when I'd be in a weird mood and a friend would notice and be like "What's up?" And I'm like "I don't really know. I'm just not myself. Something's wrong but I don't know what it is." And the moment I figure out what I'm feeling and why I'm feeling that way, things just get easier. It's like.. you're in a very dark room and you're trying so hard to find the switch and you finally do and then, you flip it. Here's a tip: Whenever you feeling something and you don't know what you're feeling, take time to think about recent happenings in your life. The good, the bad. And if you figure out that there's something that happened which you've not tackled, then that's probably the cause of your mood swing. Or, it could be something else. Who knows?
Why deny others the chance to feel good too?🫂 You also need to be taken care of. You also need to be showered with love. Lean on someone. Let someone help you. You cannot do it all by yourself. Just, be careful of who you tell your struggles to though.
Okay, one last one..
People go about saying "Blood is thicker than water." meaning familial bonds are and should be stronger than non-familial. But here's the full quote.. "The Blood Of The Covenant Is Thicker Than The Water Of The Womb." which means that the family that you choose is stronger than the one you're born to. Most people feel more at home with friends they've made than with the family members they're born to. It's not a crime, really. You can't be in good terms with all your family members, immediate and extended. You don't even feel connected to some of your relatives so yes, sharing genetics with someone doesn't make them family and it doesn't mean you must keep them in your life. It's the fact, deal with it. 😉
So yeah, that's all for today. What would have been my gain if I had kept all this to myself? Lol. Thank you for reading and I hope you've learnt a thing or two. I definitely have. And yeah, if there's anyone who wants to share one thing they've learnt from Therapy, please do so in the comment section so that we can all benefit from it. Gracias mis amores.
I'd like to use this medium to say thank you to my new sponsor. 🤍 All I did was comment on her recent article and she decided to sponsor me. I appreciate you @LeticiaFelize Thank you, so much. 🤍
©the_northstar
I got a new sponsor guyssss!!!! 🥺🥺
I'm really so happy. Thank you so much @FashTioluwa for the new sponsorship. I really appreciate.. I won't let you guys down. 🥺🫂
My Take On Val...
Sometime last week, I was at a church gathering and myself and other teenagers were playing a question and answer game. Then someone asked, "what's your take on val?" We all took turns sharing our different, nice and funny opinions about val. There and then, I knew I had to write about it.
My Thoughts.
I think valentine's day celebration is more than just a "couple's thing". It shouldn't only revolve around people showing their undying love for their romantic partners. Yes, you should shower your partner with love. Definitely. But have it in mind that you could do more.
When last did you take your parents out for dinner? When last did you hangout with your siblings? When last did you do something nice for a neighbour? You see.. more.
There are people out there who are actually really lonely and we all know how hard it is to deal with loneliness sometimes. There are people who have lost a loved one or two to the virus. There are people who are finding it hard to heal from a heartbreak and it's taking a toll on their mental health. There are so many people in need of a simple act of love.
Q: How can I show love to people on valentine's day?
A: There are so many beautiful, special ways you could show love to people. You could...
1. Spend quality time with your loved ones. Be it your parents, spouse, siblings or children. Just spend time laughing, chatting and having fun with them.
2. Check on your elderly neighbour. Visit them and ask how they're fairing. You could even get them a present, if you want to.
3. Donate money to a charity organization or a cause you really care about.
4. Give out belongings you no longer use to people who you think might really be in need of them.
5. Put a call across to that friend that you haven't heard from in a while.
6. Mend a broken relationship you have with someone.
7. Take time to appreciate your friends and maybe even hangout with them.
8. Genuinely lend a listening ear to someone in need of it.
9. Run an errand or perform a chore for someone.
10. Prepare a meal for someone.
11. Play games or see a movie with your siblings.
12. Display random gestures of kindness. Give compliments to people, smile whenever you make an eye contact with someone on the street, pay for someone's lunch, help an elderly person cross the expressway. The little things aren't so little.
Bear in mind that these are things that we can do anytime, anyday. We can show love to people on other days too, not just valentine's.
Here's a challenge I came up with. Everybody can participate.
On Valentine's day, express your love and gratitude to at least 3 people. Tell them why you love them and how grateful you are for them.
The Lead image and last image were gotten from unsplash.com. The other two were designed and shot by me.
©the_northstar
Me, Myself & I...
Good day fellow readers and writers. Hope we're doing good and staying safe? And I hope we're taking care of our mental health? For me, I've been fine and really occupied but.. it'll get better.
Well today, I'd be telling you all few things about me. I ought to have done this since but, it's never too late.
I'll start with my name. Well, my name's Benita. Nickname's Polaris, which explains why "the_northstar" is my username. Polaris is a star in the sky. The north star, to be precise and it's very significant. Maybe some other time, I'll write about it. Moving on, I'm a citizen of Nigeria and I hail from Edo state. I'm an introvert, I have a very small circle of friends. I'm from a family of 3.. My Dad, My Sister and I.
A STUDENT.
I'm a final year student studying Entrepreneurship in the National Open University of Nigeria. I really love the course cause it shapes one's mind and helps one see why they should be self-reliant. It opens one's eyes to see the bigger picture and be vigilant cause opportunities don't come by easily. When I was younger, Entrepreneurship wasn't what I intended on studying. But now, I'm really glad I chose the course. Dedicating my time to study and fully understand it has made me wiser and has broadened my knowledge on so many things. Two of the numerous things I've learnt from this course and I've been practicing are: Being Innovative and Taking Calculative Risks.
A TALENTED HUMAN.
Not to brag but I'm really talented and I'm really sure there are other talents within me yet to be discovered.
Singer..
I'm quite the singer. My sister and a musical movie helped me discover my talent in singing. "High School Musical" I saw this movie when I was very little and all the songs stole my heart. I would always sing them and act like I was doing so on a stage. Lol superstar moves. My sister noticed my interest in music and asked if I'd love to join the church choir. At that moment, I felt like I had just won a trophy. I told her I'd love to even though I didn't actually think it was possible cause I was very young. She assured me that it was possible and so, I joined and I received a very warm welcome. I've been singing in the choir ever since and I've come to learn so much about music. I can actually read music now and hopefully soon, I'd learn how to play one or two musical instruments.
Artist..
Creating works of art has always been my thing. I also discovered this talent when I was very young. I would get crayons and postal colors and draw and paint. I never got tired of it, it felt really good that I could create really beautiful things with my hands. There was a time when I didn't draw for years. It was like a part of me left, which is why my artistic skills is a bit rusty now but.. I'm trying my best to revive it. I haven't drawn anything of recent but one of these days, I'll find the time and inspiration to do so.
Writer..
I started writing during the lockdown. When the pandemic began in 2020, I was devastated. Everybody was. Almost everybody discovered one or two talents during that period. Mine was writing. It helped me escape from reality. I found solace in it and it has been a coping mechanism for me ever since. When I found out that there's a site I could write articles on, I didn't hesitate to join. I felt if I participated, my writing skills would improve. And they have. I'm glad I challenged myself and I'm grateful for read.cash.
There are other talents but I'd stop here lol..
Seven fun facts about me:
1. I'm acrophobic. Heights make me cringe.
2. I'm allergic to most seafood. Because of me, we hardly prepare fish in my home lol.
3. I love babies. I think they're so adorable.
4. I have a deep voice. 🌚
5. I love dictionaries. I mean, I think it's amazing how thousands of words and their meanings are compiled in one book.
6. When I was a kid, I'd always say "I want to be a newscaster!" And now, I think it's really hilarious cause I'm not much a talker.
7. I love to love. I just think the concept of love is really beautiful.
I think I'm an interesting person. I'm a mystery sometimes but what's the fun in being an open book? 😌
So now that you know a few things about me, I hope you don't mind telling me one thing about you in the comment section.
All images are gotten from my gallery.
I have been so busy and my schedule have been so tight that I literally forgot to do this. 😩 I'm so sorry and thank you so much @Lucifer for sponsoring me. My very first sponsor! Muchas gracias!
Losing a loved one.
Few days back, my sister told me about a guy who died last week and how he died. He was brutally murdered. The news weighed me down and I began to ponder on a lot of things. Things like: "How heartless can people get?" Cause he was shot. Twice. On his head and arm. He committed no offence. "How weird can life get?" "How's his family members taking the news?" So many questions, no answers. Life's weird and unpredictable. I mean, isn't it weird how a person would come to earth, grow, learn, struggle, have plans, have goals, strive.. and in the blink of an eye, those things won't matter anymore. In the blink of an eye, death shows up.. unannounced. It's scary. May his soul rest in peace. I hope and pray his friends and family get the comfort they need. Losing a loved one is heartbreaking. Adapting to their absence is difficult. I know almost everyone can relate to the pain.
Nine years ago, I almost lost my sister to appendicitis. Appendicitis is a painful swelling of the appendix that can be very serious. In other words, it's very critical. She fell ill from time to time and she used to have migraines all the time. She had so many sleepless nights and walking became very difficult. Consuming food and water became a very hard task for her and it got to a point where I started to think she was aging. She looked like she had no life left in her. She could barely even speak. She was in so much pain and it scared me to death. I was so young and seeing my sister in that condition made me so terrified. I started to wish it had happened to me instead cause I badly wanted to ease her pain. Her condition got that bad because the first doctor we took her to gave her a very wrong diagnosis. So definitely, the drugs he administered to her didn't work. Her condition got worse and we decided to visit another hospital. We did and we were told that she had appendicitis. Apparently, her appendix had gotten really large cause it wasn't treated on time so it needed to be taken out immediately. The news was shocking and devastating cause we really didn't see it coming. The doctor told us that a surgery would be carried out on her. I was so scared. My sister was about to undergo a surgery, I feared I'd lose her. I was really trying my best to be positive but the negative thoughts would creep in at intervals, they were so disturbing.
Well, an appendectomy was carried out and it was successful. My joy knew no bounds. My sister was out of harm's way. Pure bliss was what I felt. I later got to find out that if the appendix had remained in her body for one more day, it would have ruptured. Whoa. Dumbfounded again. I was having mixed emotions. I wouldn't have been able to bear the pain of losing another loved one. My sister was on the verge of losing her life but she survived. I will forever be grateful for that. And that experience will remain evergreen in my memory.
I know the pain of losing and almost losing someone dear to you. It's rough. Sometimes, a part of us goes with the person. At first, we're in denial and when we start to accept it, we feel like we're being crushed over and over again. It's one of the worst feelings ever.
So today, I'm sending so much love to anyone out there who has lost someone dear to them. You are not alone. You are a warrior and with time, you'll get through this. Adapting to their absence wouldn't be easy, it never is but.. you've got this. Please don't carry the weight all by yourself. Lean on someone. You'll be okay love. Your breakthrough is on its way.
©the_northstar
What makes you happy?
Happiness has to do with one's mental and emotional wellbeing. It's actually difficult to define because it means something different to each individual person. We all have our own particular passions from which we derive pleasure. But one thing's for sure; happiness is a positive feeling. Happiness comes in form of Joy, Excitement, Gratitude, Pride, Optimism, Contentment, Love.
Happiness is what you feel when you get a promotion at work. It's that intense feeling you get when you're about to be wedded to the love of your life. It's the feeling you get when something goes your way. Happiness is how you felt deep within the very first time you held your baby in your arms. Happiness is feeling proud of yourself for getting good grades at school. It is how you feel when your heart desires are granted. Happiness is the beautiful feeling you derive from just sitting next to someone you really love. Happiness is how you feel knowing you've successfully moved on from a toxic relationship. It's the feeling you get knowing that your friends and family are supportive of your dreams. Happiness is that feeling you get when you come back from work feeling so tired and hungry only to find out that a hot bath and your favorite meal has been prepared for you. It's the feeling you get when people show up for you. I could go on and on. Happiness can be gotten from the big things like purchasing your dream car and also the small things like watching your favorite soap opera.
I'm someone who gets ecstatic over little things. Big things make me happy, of course. But the small things? The small gestures? Wow. So I'd be listing a few things that makes me happy. Just a few lol.
Singing: I really love singing. I tell people music is my soulmate. Singing makes me feel so good. Plus, I've been told on several occasions that I have a very beautiful voice lol. That boosts my self-esteem and makes me so happy.
Learning new things: There's this saying.. "Learning never ends." I love expanding my knowledge on things, topics, life. Fun fact about me: I don't like not having a dictionary lol.
Drawing: I've been a fan of art ever since I was a kid. I would draw and draw and just keep drawing and never get tired. I still do though, but not as much as before. Whenever I pick up a pencil to draw something and I successfully do, I get so so happy. The feeling is just so beautiful.
Money: I do not like being broke. No one does haha. That is why I get so excited whenever I have money. Cause I'm able to cater for some of my needs and I don't have to bother my Father and Sister.
Hanging out with friends: I'm very introverted, so I'm indoor almost all the time. But whenever I get the opportunity to hang out with the few friends I have, I grab it cause being in their midst makes me so happy and takes away all of my worries.
When people confide in me: I've been told I make it so easy for people to confide in me but I still get so surprised and amazed when people come to tell me things and ask for my opinion on matters. I'm like "Wow, you actually trust me enough to tell me this!" Gladdens my heart.
My Sister: I have only one sibling and that is my elder sister. We have our differences but trust me when I say she makes me so happy. She's my biggest support system and she always makes sacrifices for me. She's everything to me and I love her so much.
AUTHOR'S ADVICE:
It's important to identify what makes you happy. If a person makes you happy, hang around them more often. Try to make them happy too though. If participating in an activity makes you happy, do it often. The world is chaotic, we need all the happiness we can get.
So, what makes you happy?
©the_northstar.
Mental Health Awareness
We live in a society where the importance of mental health isn't given enough recognition. Lots of people claim to be all about mental health but in reality, it's highly neglected. Often times on the internet, we see posts like "I'll always be here if you need someone to talk to", "Be brave and speak up", "Suicide isn't an option", "Talk about it before it is too late", etc. People make it look so easy but let's face the fact.. opening up isn't as easy as it seems. Especially when the society always has a way of discriminating people with mental illnesses. They either make you feel as though you're an attention seeker, you're not important or you don't deserve to be loved. Occurrences like these makes it hard for people who are mentally unstable to speak up. Fear of mockery, being ignored, discrimination and stigmatization make people create an invisible shell where they crawl into and hide from the world.
If someone fractures their knee or is diagnosed of having a lung infection, they'd most certainly not feel embarrassed to talk about it. They'd speak up and try to get help in order to get better. They wouldn't have to worry about being judged or treated poorly. Why then should a mental health diagnosis be any different?
Being fully aware and taking proper care of one's mental health is essential. When a person fails to pay attention to their mental health, he/she faces a mental breakdown.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I'M HAVING A MENTAL BREAKDOWN?
Mental Breakdown comes in different forms. You know you know you're having a mental breakdown when you start to feel overwhelmed, extremely moody, anxious, disconnected from reality, when you have emotional outbursts, a dramatic change in your eating and sleeping schedule, when you feel the need to withdraw yourself from friends and family and when you feel yourself slipping into that deep dark hole–Depression.
HOW DO I LOOK AFTER MY MENTAL HEALTH?
There are couple of ways through which you can take care of your mental health.
You can...
1. Talk about your feelings: Even though the society discriminates people who are mentally unstable, it's still advisable to talk about how you feel. Visit a therapist or talk to a trusted friend. Talking about your feelings would help get things off your chest.
2. Exercise regularly: Exercise keeps the brain and other vital organs healthy. Exercising regularly can help you concentrate, sleep and feel refreshed. Exercising doesn't just mean going to the gym or participating in sporting activities. It also includes taking a walk and performing house chores. These physical activities keeps one active.
3. Eat well: The food you eat has a long-lasting effect on your mental health. Your brain needs a mixture of nutrients to stay healthy and function properly. Make sure to always eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
4. Ask for help: When you start to get overwhelmed by how you feel and you feel like you can no longer cope with it, ask for help. You cannot solve everything by yourself.
5. Take a break: A change of environment or activity is good for the mental health. Give yourself some "me time". The world can wait. Listen to your body. If you're really tired, get some sleep. Good sleep is really important and without it, our mental health suffers and we lose concentration.
6. Keep in touch: Strong family ties and supportive friends can help you get through life's struggles. Catch up with people, be it face-to-face or online. However, if you think being in touch with someone is damaging to your mental health, then you might want to take a break from them or end the relationship in a way that's okay for you both. Remember, your mental health is more important.
7. Do something you're good at: Engage in activities that you enjoy doing. It could be dancing, painting, writing or knitting. Performing an activity you enjoy means you're probably good at it and that would help to boost your self-esteem.
8. Accept who you are: Comparison messes up one's mind. Be proud of who you are. Recognize and accept what you're not good at but focus on what you can do well. Feeling good about yourself boosts your confidence and is good for your mental health.
THINGS TO SAY TO SOMEONE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION
1. "Do you want to talk about it? I'm always here for you".. Even if you don't fully understand what your friend is going through, you can still be there for them and make them understand that they are not alone.
2. "What can I do to help?".. They probably know what does and doesn't help them. It's better to ask than assume.
3. "Do you want to take a walk or go somewhere quiet?".. Taking a walk or finding a peaceful place to talk is soothing and therapeutic.
4. "Do you want my advice or Do you want me to just listen?"
5. "I'm really sorry you're going through this. I'm here if you need me".
Do not blame them for their condition and do not judge them. Lend a listening ear and if they need a shoulder to cry on, offer them yours.
AUTHOR'S ADVICE:
Pay more attention to people around you. Be kind, you never know what someone is passing through. Just cause a person wears a happy look always doesn't mean he/she is free of struggles. Give random compliments to people. A simple "Hi, you look so good!" can make someone's day. Most importantly, prioritize your mental health. Taking care of your mental health should be a priority, not an option.
Do take care! Xoxo. ❤️
I Love You Because...
So here's the thing, I'm actually new here and I published my first article yesterday and I've been a bit confused about what I should publish next but earlier on, I read an article @Theblackdoll published. It was about showing appreciation and expressing love to a fellow user whom you're really close to. Sounded like a challenge and I was like "Why not do this?"
So here goes...
@L0neRider you've been a really good friend and I'm really lucky to have you in my life. ❤️
Why do I love you?
You once asked me why I love you and I remember telling you that I can't give you a particular reason why I love you but you're just a very cool person. And "Cool" entails a lot. Let me explain what I meant by that 😅 So sometimes, people change.. reasons fade. You might love someone because they're fleshy but what if they lose weight in the future? Does that mean that you'd no longer love them as much as you used to? That's exactly why I don't have a particular reason why I love you. They're so many and I won't list em but just to sum it all up, you're a really cool human and you have a very beautiful heart. ❤️
How did we meet?
Campppp. 🔥 I met you and we became friends at a camp our Church organized for teenagers last year August. I didn't even know you existed until the 3rd day haha. We attended choir rehearsals together because you were to rap to a song and I was to perform a duet with a friend. The songs came out so well by the way. ✨ Have I ever told you that I was mesmerized when you were on that stage dropping those lines effortlessly? You were so good and you're so talented! So basically, our love for music brought us together and ever since then, we've been sort of inseparable. 🤞🏽
What increased my love and respect for you:
Okay so I already liked you as a person cause you were a music freak, just like me. Then we went back home and started texting on social media and I got to know so much about you. Including the fact that you're big on Mental Health, just like me! I'm like.. extremely big on Mental Health Awareness and when I found out that you're that way too.. it just made me so happy. Cause not everybody pay attention to mental health. But you do, and you show it. It made me love and respect you and it just made our bond become stronger. ❤️
My Advise to you:
Do not be quick to anger. That's pretty ironic coming from me lol. But you know what goes down when you get so angry. Whenever you feel anger surfacing, inhale and exhale.. repeat that action multiple times. Listen to a very calm and soothing music, pour out your emotions in a book. These actions would help you feel better..even if it's just a bit.. and they'd prevent you from doing something you'd regret later on. Also, keep being you. You're a good person and you're doing great, don't change. ❤️
One wish:
I wish that in the future, things turn out how you picture them. You achieve all your goals and fulfill all your dreams.
I love you and I am rooting for your success! Love❤️ and Light. ✨
All images are gotten from unsplash.com
Friendship.
Okay so, to start with; What is FRIENDSHIP?
Friendship is basically a relationship between friends.
Now, who is a friend?
A friend is someone who you know well and like, someone who has almost the interest as yourself.
However, there are different types of friends. Why? Because people have different personalities.
I'll emphasize on 9 types of friends we're bound to come across.
1. A FIRST FRIEND: This is someone you've known for a very long time. You came across him/her when you were still learning how to make friends. You've had so many 'firsts' with them. Sometimes, a first friend is a forever friend. Sometimes, they're not. But one thing's certain; they'll always remain in your heart.
2. A FAIRWEATHER FRIEND: This is a friend who's with you just for the good stuff. They perform activities with you only when it's pleasant for them. There's nothing wrong in having a fairweather friend around, as long as you both are on the same page. Do not give more than you're getting, to avoid disappointments.
3. A FAKE FRIEND: This is definitely self-explanatory. A fake friend is someone who you refer to as a friend but in reality, they're not. You probably don't even trust them and they never show up for you. They're with you because of whatsoever it is they're gaining from you, not because they love you. At one point or the other, we come across fake friends. Try to be observant.
4. A FUN FRIEND: This is someone who's probably even an acquaintance. They invite you to various fun events and they always have one activity or the other going on. Having a fun friend or two is dope and sometimes advisable. But sometimes, the friendship becomes unadvisable if the 'fun' goes to an unhealthy place; a place below your standards. If it ever gets to that point, I believe you know what to do.
5. A FIERCE FRIEND: A fierce friend is one who'll always have your back, come what may. They're always there to put you back on track when you're slacking. They defend you fiercely but they also make sure you confront issues you face. They are the ones you confide in wholeheartedly because they sometimes serve as a compass in your life. A fierce friend is a great and important person to have in your life, but make sure you reciprocate the energy when you can. "Even the strong ones need a shoulder to lean on".
6. A FRIEND FOR THE SEASON: This is someone who you know isn't going to be around for a long period of time because something brought you together. Could be a contract, or something else. Enjoy the time you have with them. And if you don't like the idea of having to lose the person sooner or later, then maybe you can put in more work to make the friendship last. However, try not to displease yourself in the process.
7. A FICKLE FRIEND: The word "Fickle" means to change often and suddenly. With a fickle friend, it feels like one day you're best of friends and the next, they've distance themselves from you. One minute, they love you and the next, they're being really cold towards you. Sometimes, they're that way because they're just not in a place where they can meet the level of the friendship you seek. And sometimes, you find it hard to keep up with such people. But always remember that some problems can be fixed through open communication.
8. A FAMILIAR FRIEND: A familiar friend is someone who used to be close to you at a point but at the moment, you both aren't close anymore however.. they're still in your life. You both still talk and hang out sometimes but it's just because you're used to each other and not because the friendship is adding anything to either of your lives. It's okay to have a familiar face around as long as he/she isn't holding you back. Sometimes, we decide to still hold on to certain people despite knowing that it's time to let go. That's understandable, letting go is painful. But you'll be fine, you've got this.
9. A FOREVER FRIEND: A forever friendship is that "ride or die" type of friendship lol. You just know they'll always be around. There's no trick about it, it's just the unbreakable bond you have. You've been through so much together; the good, the bad but the bond remains strong. And you just know it'll remain that way. When you know, you know right? Your friendship isn't perfect, it's real. But, just cause you know someone will be with you forever doesn't mean the relationship doesn't need work. Even forever bonds needs maintenance.
CONCLUSION:
We all have friends or have had friends who fall into more than one category. It's normal. Be conscious of your relationship with different people. Be observant of the people in your life and distribute your energy accordingly. Most importantly, pay attention to your actions and ask yourself "What type of friend am I?" Don't just seek for better people, also be the better person.
@the_northstar
