Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows: Embracing the Chaos! (Natalie)
Disclaimer: I am by no means a therapist! This is all just tips and tricks that I’ve heard or have helped me along the way in my Mental Health journey!
Firstly – if you get the reference from the title, you’re my new best friend! And, no, that's not a love bomb. It’s a genuine sentiment, because I love Lesley Gore oh so much. I’m an oldies girl through and through, and if you know me in real life, it definitely shows!! For those of you who have never heard the song “Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows,” it’s just as it sounds — full of spunk and whimsy! As is Lesley Gore. Grab a cuppa tea as I tie all this into a grand bundle of chaos - Natalie Brooke style.
Introduction
I’m Natalie Brooke, by the way. Yours Truly, the woman of the hour — or however long it takes you to read this. I live in Ontario, Canada, with six other women and a house cat (named Nova Mercedes Lee Star!) in a quaint historical side of Windsor called Sandwich Town. Yes, we eat a lot of sandwiches here. Haha.
I love writing, reading, interning, fashion illustration, interior design, black and white films, records, Audrey Hepburn, cats, Doctor Who, Studio Ghibli, Pop Funkos, plants, and much more. I’m sure we have at least one thing in common! If not, maybe we have this in common. I’m a hardcore advocate for mental health, dedicated to empowering others and breaking the stigma! And y-o-u can too! But first, we must embrace the chaos in ourselves and our lives! It’s paramount to survive in this world.
Five Tricks to Embrace the Chaos in Yourself!
1. Give yourself grace throughout every trial you grow through. ‘Cause, hey — even though this post is titled “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows,” living through all the things life brings us sure isn’t. Oh, and don’t get me started on social media. As a self-proclaimed social media queen, I know there are many pros and cons. For example, everything on Instagram is portrayed to be happy, go lucky. When it most definitely is not! People make it out to seem their lives are perfect when, most likely, they aren’t. After all, who’s perfect? No one. Only Mary Poppins, eh?! So, give yourself a heap of grace next time you think negatively about yourself. Oh! And remember to practice positive self-talk!
2. Rebuke those negative thoughts back to the flaming dumpster they belong in! Seriously, you have the power to do this yourself. Basically, practice self-talk like I mentioned, and in doing so, you’ll rebuke the thought. How? Simply like this:
Say, you had a negative thought along the lines… “Gah, I’m so stupid!” Talk to yourself out loud or inside and say something positive. Change the inner dialogue. For example, tell yourself: “No! I am smart, confident and calm.” or “No! I’m amazingly and epically smart.” or even, “I’m capable of whatever task or obstacle that is in front of me.”
Whatever works best for you! I believe in you — you got this!!
3. Smile for 1-2 minutes a day! I’ve heard this a few times in my 33 years. And, I actually think it works. Try it right now, c’mon — I bet you can’t smile right now. I dare you not to smile. Bahahaha. Smiling releases endorphins that can act as a mild pain reliever, and it is also a de-stressor and reduces our heart rate! Wow! So cool.
4. Along the same line of smiling… call a close (and trusted!) friend and get together in person for a few minutes or hours! Getting together and casually chatting about life will most definitely get you laughing, and you’ll find yourself feeling better. Even better, get outside together in the SUNSHINE! Maybe buy yourself a LOLLIPOP or two?
5. And, if all else fails – go chase some RAINBOWS!! This can be achieved in many ways. Chase a rainbow with what you’ve hopefully learned by reading this blog post. Chase a literal rainbow outside. Or listen to good music — Rainbow Connection, anyone? And, most importantly — always, and I mean always, look for the rainbows in life!
Conclusion
Well, guys and gals… this brings my post to a close. How sad. Haha! In conclusion, I’d like to say – I’m thinking of y'all, and hopefully you’ll take that well. I wish y-o-u the best, and hope you’ll feel some sunshine, get all the lollipops in life, and see some epic rainbows. YOU GOT THIS!!
Feeling down and out? Request a handwritten letter through Letters Against Depression – a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope and support to those battling mental illnesses through the power of handwritten letters. We have over 10,000 volunteers who have written over 51,500 letters that have personally impacted each one of our recipients’ lives. We have connected people from over 60 countries, being the voice of hope and support for every person of all ages.