TheCable

YouNow is created for the everyday individual who seeks to gain a deeper understanding of Self, harness gifting, talent and natural abilities in order to achieve their highest potential. These write-ups are designed to help you become more conscious and deliberate in your interactions and day-to-day living.

Life is full of challenges, some greater than others.

Month end postdated palpitations, summer holiday pressures, why isn’t this working frustrations, world cup season anxieties, the list is as far as it is wide.

Some people seem to shake even the scariest of challenges off so easily while others become trapped and consumed by a web of confusion which envelopes them in the light of these experiences.

Challenges can easily create a mental and resulting physical state of despair, despondency and frustration.

For many, even though they may be surrounded by people, they feel… alone.

In a country like Nigeria, literally everyone has a measure of this pressures in higher degrees than they may realize. Therefore, its really not about them; its about us.

The only difference is what we know and how each of us chooses to apply that knowledge in a way that serves our peace of mind.

Anxiety comes when we subconsciously believe we do not have the power to turn things around. It’s easy to become addicted to anything that provides a way of escape or gives instant joy. Food, Sex, Drugs, anything.

All you need is control. Of your mind. Of yourself.

This will mean different things to different people. Depending on how far ‘out of control’ we’ve become.

The point is, this is not as strange as you think it is. Depression, mental illness, its no longer that bizarre condition that happens to poor frustrated, rich overindulged, childish immature, elderly senile people.

It’s ‘her’ and even though he’s expected by all standards to brace it up, its ‘him’ too.

We need to be more empathetic towards each other.

Separate yourself from the crowd of those who always think they know the reason why others go through the things they do. The smiling faces who wear sneers and judgment beneath.

Hold a hand, wipe a tear. If you must say something

• I validate you, you are not imagining it
• I believe you
• I have no answer; you feel terrible but you can get through this.

Extend an ear. Listen because even though our experiences are different, we will always have something in common.

While you may not be particularly prone to this loneliness or anxiety of a thing, that poverty or social stigma of a thing, this childlessness or singleness of a thing; be the one to say to another (in words and gestures they can understand) :

‘You are not alone’.

Remember Freedom is Peace; Optimism is Nature; Action is always within reach. BE MORE!

If you found this article relatable, let me know what you think in the comments. Do you want to live more intentionally and develop your gifts/talents for maximum impact? Feel free to reach me via email: [email protected]. You can also connect with me via;

Instagram @identitycoach

Twitter @identitycoach1

Facebook @identitycoach1

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yetunde Bankole-Bernard is ‘The identity Coach™”

Certified as an Image Consultant, Human connection and Personality type practitioner and Work place psychologist.