Happy Sunday! I thought about this blog idea but didn’t have the right words until now. As an overthinker, my days (and nights) get filled with many thoughts and ideas (sometimes, I get jacked up with worry and fear and allow distractions to happen.) Since one of my goals is to pare down my thoughts and just be, I thought I’d write about achieving that state of mind. I’m working on it and will continue to learn. I walked the walk so I could talk the talk.

Did you ever hear a teacher say, “Do the work, and you’ll get a good grade?”  That’s the simple answer. Do the work, and you’ll achieve what you want.

There’s no easy way out (like the song from the Rocky IV soundtrack says) to have a happy life. You have to do some work to make it so.

These are my thoughts, and I am not a medical expert. I just went through this stuff. I don’t mean to offend anyone by writing this. I have dealt with these life challenges, and I’m writing about my experiences.

Instead of getting gastric bypass surgery to lose weight, walk around the block to start (if you are healthy enough) and eat less. Please don’t allow pain to keep you stuck. There are safe and natural ways to deal with pain, like taking supplements or using cannabis, which has been proven to help relieve pain without nasty side effects. Why suffer? Want better for yourself! You’re worth it!

Remember when we were kids and played outside and were active and in good shape (playing Jailbreak and running for your life not to get caught and end up in jail helped.) Exercise matters. Our bodies need to move.

Also, obesity is tied to emotional health, so addressing the underlying root of why you need a cloak of extra weight on you is necessary.

Instead of taking a prescription pill to help with your depression and anxiety, talk to a qualified therapist or find someone you can trust to talk it out. Your body tells you when something is wrong, so pay attention and don’t ignore it. Taking a pill isn’t always the answer (that’s the easy way out in certain circumstances.) It is difficult and challenging to feel sad and out of sync, but facing it will bring you inner peace. If reading isn’t your thing, watch YouTube videos on the subjects. An easy fix by taking the pills might turn out to be a nightmare when you want to get off them. Anti-depression and anti-anxiety pills alter the brain’s chemical balance, and though it helps raise serotonin levels, the relief isn’t real. It’s drug-induced.

My doctor offered an anti-depression drug to me to help me with the pain I had suffered from an injury that sidelined me for a few years. I was way too sedentary, and it made me depressed. He knew I wouldn’t just pop anything without researching it, so he wrote their names for me to research. I learned that those types of drugs change the chemical makeup of our brains, and depending on usage, it can be horrifying when you try to get off them. Don’t get me wrong. Some need to take the medication. I’m suggesting an alternative to those who feel overwhelmed and sad and think life has gotten out of control. Cognitive therapy or natural help (exercise, changing your circumstances, taking supplements, eating healthy food) can be just as effective and doesn’t numb your mind.

For example, there are nights I have trouble sleeping. I take a natural product called Hyland’s Calms Forte that works well and doesn’t interact with any medication. I’ve tried many different products, and these work the best.

Instead of eating fast or processed foods (that are not giving our bodies the nutrients and vitamins they need to function well and cause our hormonal systems to go wonky), do a little research for easy healthy homemade recipes. You can make a bunch of it and freeze portions and then when you don’t have time, just defrost and heat it. Shop the outskirts of a grocery store for fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats, and dairy. The fewer ingredients, the better.

Instead of complaining and moaning about your life, appreciate what you have. Some have little and are happy. It’s all perspective. Paying attention to your thoughts takes practice and work, but when you are aware, life becomes real.

Instead of lashing out at someone else or playing the blame game, take a moment to compose your thoughts into constructive ones.

To live a peaceful life, you need to do some work. That might entail creating boundaries for people, things, or actions. It might include changing habits, and I know that can be challenging. You just have to take one moment at a time. Don’t worry about a day. Just live moment by moment. Little acts lead to significant changes.

Thank you for reading. If you have any comments, I’d love to read them. I’m human. I make mistakes. I’m okay with that. I do the work to improve each day.

To knowing we are worth the work,

Francesca