Cart / €0.00 Living Your Truth - Do We Ever
Depression occurs when we live our lives in incongruity - meaning that we don't live in harmony with our authentic selves, or instead pretend to be someone else to fit in - we inadvertently invite depression into our consciousness. Depression becomes an inevitable side effect of denying our truth and failing to embrace our genuine identity.
Depression has indeed become a widespread issue across the world. The reasons behind this epidemic are multifaceted and complex. Our modern lifestyle, societal pressures, and the rapid pace of technological advancements contribute to feelings of isolation, disconnection, and emotional distress. The prevalence of depression highlights the urgent need for mental health awareness, support, and de-stigmatisation.
In today's society, the focus often shifts from genuine needs to insatiable desires. We constantly seek more - more possessions, more success, more validation. This perpetual wanting can lead to dissatisfaction and a sense of emptiness. When "enough" is never truly enough, it strains our mental well-being.
Resentment arises when we harbour negative feelings due to unmet expectations or perceived injustices. It erodes our emotional balance. Love, on the other hand, is a powerful force that connects us. Unfortunately, in our pursuit of more, we sometimes forget its significance.
Fear often paralyses us, preventing us from embracing change or pursuing our passions. It holds us back from living authentically. Yet, within each of us lies courage and the ability to face adversity, overcome challenges, and find purpose even amidst fear.
If our core values, those values of who we truly are, become incongruent to how we are living our lives, our Heart cannot process the incongruity of our delusional living and our emotions become fully suppressed, as we project onto the world, who and what we think the world wants us to be. The same applies to bending to the will of parents, friends, lovers, work colleagues, etc, and so depression takes its iron grip.
One of the hidden causes of depression, is the fear of self-expression? Being afraid to show the world, our friends, family, co-workers and peers, who we really are. Sometimes in the need to fit into the social norm, striving for acceptance and approval, we sacrifice our self-expression in exchange for that acceptance or approval. Also sometimes we choose to avoid negative consequences like conflict or rejection.
These behaviours invoke the path to becoming depressed.
Our Emotional Needs
Every time we shut down our self-expression in order to get our emotional needs met by others. We are rejecting the Self and cut ourselves off from our intrinsic source of energy and power. Thereby diminishing our natural state of peace, our joy and love. The result is often, what we refer to, as depression. But, why would we ever do this to ourselves?
From the moment we arrive on the planet we are taught that in order to be accepted, appreciated, or to get our emotional needs met, we need to follow a set of rules. We must do as we are told, by our parents, teachers, religion, culture and society. In our human weakness, we sometimes fear that others may withhold love from us and disapproval. Especially if we don’t conform, or if we don't follow the rules. Therefore we are likely to restrict, limit or shut down our self-expression. More often than not whenever it contradicts with the ruling culture of the day.
Self - Suppression
We live in fear of who we are, we may get lost in the confusion that self-suppression is a better choice than self-expression. Unfortunately, when we constantly repress our real Self, our real truth, there is a huge unseen price to pay. We are not living our truth. Depression is the unavoidable by-product of not living our truth, not being who we really are and a direct result of repressing our Real Self.
The human mind, body, and spirit are far from foolish. The human being has an intelligence we do not fully understand. When there is an incongruence within the Heart, the mind creates situations within the mind and body, to bring congruence and harmony. One of the illnesses invoked by the mind for this purpose is depression and in doing so, slows everything down, so the human doing, becomes the human being.
We must remember, that our mind can manifest anything, in order for the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the human being, to be met. Peace is always a better path than adversity. However we must Love ourselves and in that Loving, we must respect who we are. Only then can become our true self.
Self- Expression Live Your Life As You
Self-expression is the ability to convey our thoughts, feelings, and identity through various forms such as communication, verbal, art, writing, or physical movement. When we express ourselves authentically, it can have significant positive effects on our mental health.
Authentic self-expression allows us to release tension and emotional burden. When we express our thoughts and emotions openly, we free ourselves from the weight of suppression, which can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression.
When we express who we truly are, we reinforce our sense of self-worth. It's like saying to ourselves, "I matter, and my voice matters." This affirmation contributes to higher self-esteem and a healthier self-concept.
Self-expression enables us to connect with others on a deeper level. When we share our authentic selves, we invite genuine connections. These connections provide emotional support, reduce feelings of loneliness, and enhance overall well-being?.
Humans have an inherent need to belong. Throughout evolution, survival depended on group membership and cooperation. Our ancestors needed to access food, shelter, and protection, which they achieved through belonging to a community. As a result, we developed a heightened awareness of threats to our well-being (negativity bias). This bias helped us survive, but can now work against us.
While our ancestors faced physical threats, our challenges today are often psychological and social. We fear rejection, judgment, and exclusion. When we suppress our authentic self-expression to conform or avoid conflict, we limit our potential and hinder personal growth.
Embracing Authentic Self-Expression
Here are some tips for embracing authentic self-expression:
- Understand your beliefs, values, and interests. Reflect on what truly matters to you. When you know yourself, expressing your authentic self becomes easier.
- Recognise that fear of rejection or judgment holds you back. Challenge these fears by acknowledging that everyone has their own version of "normal." Embrace your uniqueness and value your skills despite any differences².
- Seek environments where you feel accepted and supported. Surround yourself with people who encourage your self-expression without judgment.
- Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions. Notice when you're censoring yourself or holding back. Meditation and Heartfulness helps you break free from conditioned responses and express yourself more authentically.
Sometimes being our True Selves can cause others to feel uncomfortable, disapproving, judgemental, and even angry towards us for our differences. When we operate from the Heart space we can have the courage to express our True Self, knowing the ego is not the motivation behind our play. Our self-expression and living our Truth is paramount in living and when we live from our Heart and allow our True Self to emerge we realise Truth is so much easier than deceit.
Be yourself. Be your Heart.
Your job for today is to just be You. Being You requires that you follow your Bliss and Joy, Feel and Listen to your Heart, and express yourself in all ways that feel like YOU.
Spend some time today and examine your life. Are you living your Truth? Are you living Congruently? Examine the possibilities of not living your Truth and the effects on your life.
Our True Self must emerge for there to be complete harmony within the Mind Body and Spirit Unity.
If you need help or counselling please contact me
- David Ellis