Hey, how are you?

Good?

Okay, but like, REALLY… how are you doing?

Are you stressed about your life?

About the politics?

About your health?

About your security?

About your purpose?

About your business?

About your relationships?

Did you clean the dishes?

Did you pay all your bills this month?

Did you remember to call your friend and wish her a happy birthday?

Did you write that newsletter you said you were going to do this week?

Let's pause for a moment.

Take a moment to breathe in… and slowly exhale as fully as you can.

Everything is okay right now.

This newsletter is about mental health.

You'll gain a better understanding of your emotions and practical mindfulness tools that bring more clarity, personal growth, and a boost to your mental well-being.

Productivity is worth killing for

We live in a society where the hierarchy of values is not in the right order.

Productivity is prioritized over emotional health.

When you burn out or hit a wall you are labeled as sick or mentally ill, as someone that needs to be cured.

The root cause is ignored, and as a result, our system addresses people's well-being when it's too late.

You only get "help" when the damage is done—because you can't see blood from inside suffering.

Why does this happen—do we lack understanding, or is it more profitable to ignore it?

Here's what I think.

Society presents a distorted version of reality that benefits the system and not the individual. Most people buy into this illusion and end up suffering as they sacrifice their authenticity and emotions to fit into that mold.

They have been conditioned into thinking the goal is more important than the journey, and that to stay productive they must ignore or rule over their emotions and feelings.

Many fail to recognize that emotions can serve as a powerful tool for personal growth.

And I get it's not always easy to navigate because emotions can be an indication of change but also a fear disguised as resistance.

But here's the problem.

If you suppress your emotions to maintain a facade of control and productivity, you're disconnecting from your true Self, creating a ripple effect of unresolved emotions manifesting as stress, anxiety, and burnout.

Society often views emotions as weaknesses, but they reveal our true needs and desires, and that guides us toward healing and authenticity.

Feel. Reflect. Act.

Before I show you how you can bring peace to your inner self let me share a personal experience.

A personal story

At the end of 2021, I was hoping to make a living from my video production business after quitting my 9-to-5,—but the truth was it wasn't what I was called to do, so it was only a struggle to put in the work—and although I had fun when I worked on some projects for clients and got well-paid for it, I failed to make a sustainable living from it.

However, this marked the beginning of a deep, transformative journey, followed by a long grieving process.

Back then, I found myself in a dark place, overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and disappointment because I felt like a failure for not achieving my goals, both personal and professional.

I felt like I was merely existing, not truly living.

I didn't know how to ask for help when I needed it most.

I was constantly doubting my worth and the value I could bring to the world.

I avoided confronting my fears, hoping they would fade away on their own.

I didn't recognize the patterns in my life that kept me stuck.

I felt trapped in my comfort zone, scared to take any risks.

I felt disconnected from my passions and purpose.

I struggled to find joy in the things I once loved.

I didn't feel like anyone could love me.

I felt lonely.

I felt like shit.

It was time for a cleanse.

I was insecure and I had a lot of inner work to do.

The sorrow I experienced was profound; I cried so much when I confronted the reality of my situation. I realized I had ignored my mental health, numbing myself instead of staying with the uncomfortable emotions and feelings that wanted to surface.

During a period of deep self-inquiry, I devoted time to journaling and introspection. I knew I had drifted from my path, accepting breadcrumbs from life rather than staying true to myself and pursuing what was meaningful to me. It took the painful process of grieving my past for me to see my situation clearly.

That's when it hit me.

If I didn't accept my reality, if I didn't see things for what they were, and started doing something about it, I would end up living a life full of regrets, bitterness, and negativity.

I began to understand that my emotions weren't barriers, but guides toward changing what wasn't working in my life.

This realization was liberating.

Reconnecting with my true Self

I committed to start healing myself—to become whole again, and to seek truth over comfort.

I immersed myself in journaling, exercise, and meditation, refusing to escape from my emotions, and instead, I asked myself:

"What is life trying to teach me?"

I welcomed the discomfort of my emotions and thoughts.

With NF on my playlist, my Perception changed, and The Search began.

I felt Hope again.

Slowly, and painfully, I started to reconnect with my Self again.

From my experience, most often the only way is through, and after seeing what's on the other side—love, purpose, bliss, peace—I wouldn't change a thing about it.

I felt my emotions and feelings, I reflected on what came up, and I acted on it to improve my life.

Thought vs. Emotion vs. Feeling: What you need to know

We need to change how we look at emotions and feelings because expecting things to be different just because we are living in 2050 is like putting a fresh coat of paint on an old car and expecting it to run like new.

The core of what it means to be human—our emotions, desires, and struggles—remains the same.

The goal is to get back to a state of calmness, of pure awareness, so you can experience reality as objectively as possible—to regain the power you have within yourself and not become the victim of your story.

To do that we need to understand a few key things about our experience so we can navigate our inner world more effectively.

If we are able to identify and name our emotions, we gain clarity about what we are experiencing. That allows us to respond to our feelings with intention rather than react automatically.

Here's why it's crucial.

If we recognize our thoughts and understand how they are influenced by our emotions, we can break negative cycles that keep us stuck and suffering.

You can only change your future now... and now… and now.

This next part can become confusing, because, how can you define something that's always in movement, right?

But bear with me, I'll try to make sense.

Key distinctions: Thoughts, Emotions, Feelings

What is a thought?

A thought is something that happens in your mind when you react to something you see or experience.

It’s often triggered by stimuli—like seeing a friend smile or remembering a past event. Thoughts are like mental notes or ideas that take shape based on what’s happening around you.

Thoughts can be quick and fleeting, or they can linger longer and turn into memories.

For example, if you face a problem at work, the situation might trigger thoughts about how to solve it or what others might think of you.

This is important:

Our thoughts are shaped by our past experiences, beliefs, and feelings. While thoughts often pop up automatically, we can also choose to think deliberately by focusing on a thought, idea, or vision.

In short, thoughts connect our feelings to our actions. They shape how we view ourselves and the world.

What is an emotion?

Emotions are often automatic, biological responses to stimuli—like anger, sadness, joy, or frustration.

They come from our brain's complex interplay of chemicals and neural pathways, serving as immediate reactions to external circumstances or internal thoughts.

For example, if you face a perceived threat, the body triggers a fight-or-flight response, releasing adrenaline and other hormones that prepare you to act. This biological reaction can be quick and intense, often preceding our conscious thought about the situation.

Emotions can inform us about our environment and inner state, signaling what feels safe or threatening, acceptable or unacceptable.

They help us navigate our experiences, guiding our reactions and interactions with the world.

Emotions can feel overwhelming at times, but they are transient; they come and go based on our experiences and how we interpret events.

What is a feeling? Isn't it the same?

Feelings arise when you become consciously aware of those emotions and start interpreting them through thoughts.

Feelings are the subjective experiences that come from processing emotional reactions—feelings involve a deeper layer of reflection and awareness.

For instance, when you feel anger (an emotion), you might later define that experience as irritation (a feeling) after reflecting on what caused that anger—maybe a comment from a friend or a frustrating situation at work.

Your mind begins to analyze and label the emotion based on context, experiences, and beliefs.

Feelings can persist longer than emotions because they are tied to our interpretations and memories.

And did you know this?

Multiple feelings can arise from a single emotion, which leads to a complex inner dialogue about our states of being.

I'm calling feelings the mind's emotions.

Turn your inner world into a peaceful one

Sustainable change begins with awareness, flows into reflection, and ultimately culminates in action.

But, as you can see, thoughts and feelings can make life very complicated and with so much going on in today's (especially digital) world there's no wonder why we are so often confused, overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed.

It's a continuous feedback loop, where emotions trigger thoughts and thoughts trigger emotions.

Here's the truth:

If you are disconnected from your body you can't be aware, and therefore you can't make any meaningful changes in your life, so to improve you need to find a way of meditation or mindfulness.

You need to find ways to center yourself, regulate your emotions or nervous system, and regain control over your emotional well-being before you make decisions.

By practicing mindfulness and self-reflection, you will help ground yourself in the present moment, calming your body and making it feel safe and relaxed—making it possible to create a more enjoyable life for yourself.

Practical steps for inner peace

Meditation.

Meditation doesn't need to be sitting in a lotus position with your legs crossed and chanting "Om".

The essence of meditation lies in cultivating mindfulness and awareness.

Explore various meditation techniques to discover what works best for you.

Here are two things you can try:

Internal Family System's Therapy:
Look into IFS therapy, and, if possible, find a therapist that resonates with you. If you'd prefer to learn on your own, try the IFS Guide App.

IFS is frequently used as an evidence-based psychotherapy, helping people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts. IFS creates inner and outer connectedness by helping people first access their Self and, from that core, come to understand and heal their parts.

It's a mix of meditation and introspection.
Mindful Movement:
Utilize exercise as a form of meditation, focusing entirely on the activity itself—pay attention to your breath, posture, and movements.

What you can do today:

Set aside just five minutes to sit quietly and focus on your breath. Notice the thoughts that arise, but let them pass like clouds in the sky.

Reflection

Reflection and asking good questions is something that should be as important as breathing.

My recommendation:

Start writing/journaling.
It will help you express yourself and it will change your life.
It's a way to see your thoughts and feelings and be able to understand them.

When I journal there's usually something I want to dig deeper into, like:
- triggering situations where my reaction seems out of proportion
- when I feel stuck in my life and I need to make some changes (work, living, finances)
- when I experience "negative" emotions or feelings (I prefer to see them as an indicator that some area in my life needs my attention)

Long walks set your brain in movement, you change your environment and that lets your mind flow freely. It helps if you're overwhelmed or anxious for example.

I usually get a lot of ideas and make powerful connections between them.

Going on long walks gives you the mental space you need to think critically, ask questions, and reflect or ponder the big questions in life.

What you can do today:

Take a moment to grab your journal and reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed. What emotions came up, and how did you react? Write down your thoughts.
Start a daily practice of checking in with yourself. Each morning, ask yourself: What do I need today to feel fulfilled and balanced? Write down your thoughts and make a plan to incorporate them.

Exploring Solutions

When I have a problem but no answers, I search for them, and often I don't need to go so far, because the answer lies inside.

But when I can't find it inside, I start exploring.

There are a lot of places to explore nowadays, but I mostly:

listen to podcasts
watch YouTube videos
surf the internet for inspiration
read books or listen to audiobooks
watch a documentary or TV show that offers me a new perspective

You don’t need to force answers; simply pose the problem to the universe.Keep moving your body and spirit, and practice patience; the answer will come to you.

Long walks are also part of exploration, and you can combine some reflection with exploration when you listen to a podcast while you go on a long walk.

Remember that it’s okay to seek help and take time for self-care.

Summary

Okay, this week was a lot. This is what we explored:

How you can acknowledge and reflect on your emotions to understand your true feelings and needs.
How you can use journaling to explore thoughts and feelings, gaining clarity on your personal journey.
How you can engage in meditation or mindful movement to cultivate emotional regulation and present-moment awareness.
How to identify and differentiate between your thoughts, emotions, and feelings to break negative cycles.
How to seek inspiration through podcasts, books, and conversations to discover solutions to challenges.

I’d love to hear about your journey towards emotional awareness and mindfulness! Reach out to me on socials and share how you incorporated any of these suggestions into your life—or if you need any guidance in your life. I'll get back to you :).

The Creative Edge

How to Find Inner Peace (and accomplish more)