hey, i'm 22 and i kind of suffered from depression these last four years. It's starting to get really better though.

i've developped a profound interest for mindfulness since this summer. The concept was so strange for me, who struggled to feel things since my childhood ended. I started using cannabis associated with developping a healthier lifestyle and a regular practice of mindfulness and it helped me feel emotions again. It was such an incredible and touching experience.

Now that i know what i'm fighting for, I decided to stop smoking and see if now that i kind of know how to feel mindful, i could feel things and be in a good mood without it and...

it's been 3 days and i feel almost nothing except a constant "ugh".
i didn't stop eating healthy food, dancing, going on walks in nature. meditate a lot. But i mainly feel that nothing much is happening. i'm grumpy, numb and everything feels so exhausting.

I'm alone in a new country for my studies and i know nobody yet, weed helped me enjoy my free time but sober, i feel so much "realistic" and i see my almost empty appartment, the fact that i didn't meet people whom i wanted to be friend with in 2 months. But also because i isolate a lot, arriving in a new country is so exhausting that i hardly find the energy to go outside and socialise when i know nobody. also when i arrived i took a wrong luggage from the bus so you can imagine the chaos that was my life during a month lmao

It's becoming hard to motivate myself to do things when i don't feel stuff, it just feels like i'm forcing myself.

I guess it's a vent, but i would love some advice or experience or just anything to be honest. I'd love to have a private discussion about all this.

34 years into building an understanding of and relationship to the low grade anxiety that perpetually hums in my body, I'm starting to see that anticipatory anxiety can be framed as good, in the sense that it signals something important is happening. Put another way: I don’t have anxiety around big events because I think they will go poorly or something is wrong. I have anxiety around them because I have anxiety, and it spikes near occasions that are important to me. It shows that I'm living. Does that make sense?

More on this here.

I searched and cant find a good answer.

I always thought I was supposed to really ground myself in the present moment and surroundings. For example, I try to focus on where I am, what I'm doing (or who I'm speaking to) what I hear, smell, see, etc. I even try to be aware of things outside of my sight, such as things behind me (I try to imagine "eyes in the back of my head" so to speak) and so on.

I used to struggle with daydreaming and zoning out and this has helped me.

I also specify the focus, such as reading or watching a movie to make sure I absorb the information. I guess this would be like "focusing on the breath"

So which one should I be concerned about, or should I do both?

I’m curious to hear if you can explain your best meditation technique for anxiety. My personal favourite is something I learned from one of Sadh-guru’s programs called “Sukha Kriya” which means an inward process for pleasantness. It is essentially alternate nostril breathing and I do it for 40-60 minutes a day. Little boring - but so effective.

Also there is a 20 mins guided meditation called Yoga Nidra by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar which I also find quite effective.

What is your favourite?

Been thinking about this lately how to fix this curve of forgetting things naturally and so easily like you don’t even realise.

For me I have been forgetting things in a minute and I am just unaware of time it just flies away.

How to increase brain power???

Everything in my life is great now. I have access to all the creativity I want, I have a wonderful lovely supportive partner, I'm not drowning in debt anymore yet I still constantly feel like everything is going to go wrong. Or like someone is waiting to take me to jail or yell at me or something. I'm tired of constant alarm bells going off in my head, I just want to relax.

I should state - I had an abusive childhood and have had abusive relationships.

Hello all.

I have struggled with depression in my life before, but I've been doing very well during the last month or so with no signs of depression resurfacing. I have a consistent meditation practice, and overall I have felt very joyful and full of life recently.

I've been dealing with some stress during the last couple of days due to planning and preparing for a solo trip which I leave for tomorrow. Today while eating dinner, I was suddenly hit with what I can only describe as dread, depression, and STRONG loneliness. I recognized the feeling of hopelessness from my previous struggles with depression.

I am learning to sit with my emotions and taking away their power through accepting them, but this sudden change really shook me and I felt scared that I might fall into depression while on my month-long solo trip in the middle of no where.

If anyone has had similar experiences and has any tips or encouragement, it'd be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Any deep stories of self growth or what has helped you

Hi Guys, I am curious to learn more about everyone experience with manifesting and there struggles. I am new to this but want to learn more. I am trying it out but doesn't seem to be working. So I am curious to know if anyone else is struggling and what are some of the challenges you are facing with it.

Hello everyone! I’m excited to share a project idea designed to help kids connect with mindfulness and nature in a totally unique way. It’s a VR/AR experience where children can enter immersive nature scenes, not only to explore and learn about the environment but also to practice mindfulness with the help of a friendly animal guide.

Key Features:

Mindfulness and Breathing Exercises: Kids learn simple breathing exercises and meditation techniques, guided by an animal character. Imagine a bird or a forest animal teaching children to slow down, focus on their breath, and find calm within these beautiful natural scenes.

Environmental Education: As kids explore, they’ll learn about plants, animals, and ecosystems. It’s all about showing the interconnectedness of nature, helping them understand that every element of these scenes plays a vital role.

Creativity through Interaction: They can also color elements of the scene—like plants, flowers, or animals—which adds a creative layer while deepening their connection to nature.

Teaching kids early to use breathing and self-awareness to manage stress could have lasting impacts on their well-being. This is something that I feel would have been a tremendous benefit to me growing up with the challenges of ADHD, especially at a time when it was far less understood. As a kid, it was always helpful for me to have a space of my own to learn and process, and this experience would provide that, allowing kids who might otherwise be less inclined to explore these things in their everyday environments.

Question for the Community: If anyone here has experience with AI or VR/AR development, I’d love your insights on integrating more interactive features. My idea is to use an AI system (like ChatGPT) that kids could ask questions about the ecosystem and get responses tailored to their age. However, I know this might need a bigger partnership to make it happen. Currently, I am looking to use Kickstarter to raise funding to develop a demo. Any tips or advice on making this vision a reality?

Thank you so much for your thoughts and support

Hey guys so I have been dealing with a lot of intrusive thoughts recently so I decided I was going to practice mindfulness and anytime I would see my mind drift off into unproductive thoughts, I would refocus into the present. However I feel like I am trying too hard to focus into the present that it is fatiguing my brain and giving me headaches, which I normally never get. I know it’s something that is going to take time, and that refocusing myself is going to be a lot on my brain until it becomes natural. Kind of like being sore at the gym? Does anyone else have any in take on if I am doing this correctly or incorrectly or if I am just putting too much thought into it? My intrusive thoughts have like completely gone away but now my brain just feels like its on overdrive from trying to focus on the present too much lol. Its really weird to think about I cant explain it

Hello, This is productkingcarib and I would like to connect with members that what to share ideas on growth and self-awareness. I am an expert at blogging, SEO, AI and I am also a metaphsyican.

https://preview.redd.it/qs7dnw8rv4yd1.png?width=1024&format=png&auto=webp&s=3e2f3d4841583167dc6ff0c30de5ab9199e364c6

Check out a small presentation chart I created: linkseam.com/mystical22

Hello everyone, I am a college/university student who created a website solely based on indoor miniature gardening and the benefits of Zen gardens! I only have about two pages created since I started it, but I just wanted to provide you with a website that could answer some gardening questions or learn about the benefits of adding a Zen garden to your home. I am extremely open to suggestions, feedback, etc., Once again, I am a college student studying digital and social media marketing. Thank you!! <3 Benefits of a Mini Zen Garden

I've been struggling a lot this week with anger towards my college roommate not giving me time alone in our dorm room. Every time I come back to the room she is sleeping through a class or complaining to me about something that happened to her. This week she has started not going to any of her classes altogether so I haven't had any time to be alone and recharge my social battery. She's failing the same class that she failed last semester because she kept skipping. I don't see her changing her habits anytime soon either, I'm trying to let go of the anger that I feel but its really difficult for me because I'm constantly reminded of it every time I want to go home and relax. This and the stress of school has made me very upset and I feel like this is the main cause of my stress. I've tried to meditate and write down why I think she is doing these things, but this anger keeps coming back and I'm tired of ruminating on it.

This group is intended to be all inclusive and modern in the sense of creating a new kind of space. Every person can have a voice and a kind of ownership within the group. Traditionally it’s known that every sentient being is ultimately a Buddha so in that sense we can empower one another with minimum use of hierarchy while still preserving lineage and transmission. A grass roots, very human, and accessible approach presented in harmony with modern science and traditional methodology.

JOIN HERE!

I have all this awareness but for the last two months after watching bunch of videos, many things about healing trauma im left with confusion. I journal, and use positive mindset but im struggling at healing my childhood trauma. I’m self aware about what my issue is but i dont know how to heal it. How do i process this? How do i get rid of negative feeling about my trauma? When i think about my memories its broad i believe it didn’t hurt me that bad but led me to depression. I can’t remember that much but i have a memory that is painful but what do i do with it? Im clueless

So I practise meditation from time to time , not only for relieve but also to someday trigger AP.

I don't do this often , maybe once every 2 weeks. But I just found this article about bad side effects to meditation and mindfullness...

Now what I find kindah stupid about this article it says it can cause mental problems and other side effects but nowhere you can read what the trigger or cause is of these side effects? What is it that mindfullness or meditation in it's progress inside your brain that triggers these bad symptoms.

And is the research done right? Cause allot of people are suggested to do mindfullness and meditation that are already in a bad mental state to get relieve, and that it simply doesnt help those persons enough. (My opinion) Also , if your meditation almost 24/7 yeah that doesn't seem healthy either.

Here is the article. Was wondering what you guys think of it?

https://www.sciencealert.com/meditation-and-mindfulness-have-a-dark-side-we-dont-talk-about

I'm in a situation where I'm not popular and people pick on me usually by commenting how I'm not confident person, body shaming comments about how I bad and terrible look.

I can't move from the situation so I'm stuck and have to deal with it.

What happens is that my thoughts spiral and I get sad, angry, scared and I'll spiral ruminating over the criticisms. Sometimes Iget to the point where I'll not love mysel and end up hating myself.

I feel at the mercy of others negative judgements of me.

How do I deal with it in my own head, does anyone have any tactics for extreme situations like this?

I spend all day conceptualizing and planning. Even when I work with other people, it's over zoom so I feel like I have a hard time staying present in my body. I know that some things just stir up the mind and that's just natural. But does anyone have any advice on meditations that help bring the mind back into focus quickly, WHILE not fully focusing on the body? Like actively thinking and feeling the body/present at the same time. I can meditate very well but I don't know that it helps with staying present while simultaneously using my mind in this way. Work takes up most of my time so I feel like I need different strategies. It's also hard to turn it off if I've barely been present all day.

For additional context, I started my mindfulness/buddhism journey while on a year sabbatical from work. I'm just back at work after 3 weeks and don't know how to merge the two.

In case I ever get asked what mindfulness is.. I have my idea but would like other ideas..

Not feeling great right now..I get psychosis once in a while throughout the year...

There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live. -- Dalai Lama

For anyone who is feeling lonesome, I hope these words make you feel a bit better: what if I were to tell you that you are my dream 💗 what if I were to tell you that your words soothe my soul? I love how you see the best in me even when I can't see that. I love that you hold onto my dreams when I feel like giving up. I like that you are here with me and I no longer have to feel lonely.

Let’s say that your current situation is a mess, you are surrounded by negative people that drown your energy in an environment that makes you feel worse. Let’s say that you are in a very crucial moment trying to achieve something to make you be able to leave this situation but the more you try the powerful the failures. Let’s say that you want to really surrender and let life flows. How would you do that?

I struggle quite a bit when it comes to unnecessary snacking/eating. I’ve already cut out sugar but now I just find myself eating other option like nuts, or eating multiple servings of food I’ve prepped. Yes, I’m eating healthier alternatives but I’m still craving eating for no reason.

This mostly occurs when I’m working. I’m a flight attendant, so the ability to distract myself with other things to do on the airplane is limited.

My question is, if I just fight the urge to eat when I’m not hungry, will that urge eventually go away?

https://preview.redd.it/j10sebexquxd1.jpg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dad660172afafa4ff953dd803d94c85563015a75

Wishing you and your loved ones a Diwali filled with light, love, and laughter. May the warmth of this festival brighten your life with happiness, health, and prosperity. Let’s celebrate the spirit of Diwali with joy in our hearts and kindness in our actions. Happy Diwali!

Celebrate Diwali in a way that honors traditions while being mindful of the environment and community:

1. Eco-Friendly Decorations: Use natural materials like flowers, leaves, or recycled paper for decorations. Choose clay or terracotta diyas over plastic, as they're biodegradable and maintain a traditional feel.
2. Green Firecrackers or Lights: Opt for green firecrackers, which produce less noise and air pollution, or celebrate with beautiful light displays instead. You’ll still enjoy the festive sparkle without harming the air quality.
3. Limit Noise Pollution: For a socially conscious Diwali, consider avoiding loud firecrackers, especially in areas with elderly residents, babies, or pets. This way, everyone can enjoy the festival peacefully.
4. Gift Sustainable and Local Products: Support local artisans and businesses by buying handmade items, sweets, or eco-friendly products. This approach both sustains traditional crafts and supports the local economy.
5. Celebrate with Community Service: Embrace the spirit of giving by volunteering, donating clothes or food, or organizing a small event for those who may not have access to a traditional celebration. This can make Diwali more meaningful for you and for others.

Im starting out with mindfulness and a big problem is if i close my eyes and just sit or pay attention to my body or listen to those audios i can imagine everything very well but my body just starts panicking. Could it be trauma..? Or something else?

Basically the title. Because when i focus on the present moment by noticing the air flow through the nostrils or the body scan, in few minutes id fall asleep without noticing... And its ironic since the goal is to notice stuff...

Any kind of help would be appreciated, thanks in advance

sorry idk if this is a good subreddit to post this. my (24/F) social anxiety/ineptness shows through everything i do. ppl look visibly uncomfortable around me. ppl act more at ease around everyone else

i also have extremely low confidence, & my anxiety is so inconsistent. I'd be completely ok around ppl one day & then next day, I'd act like I was scared of them for absolutely no reason. my behaviors: I'd anticipate ppl coming, flinch or jump when being spoken to, be focused on something so i can avoid eye contact, would sometimes freeze/not know how to act around anyone.

On days or moments where I feel very carefree, I don't know how I do it. i just feel naturally relaxed... like i couldn't even force myself to be nervous if i tried. Idk if this is a mindfulness issue or not. Ultimately it doesn't matter if I feel "okay" on one day. ppl will still be uncomfortable by me due to all the times I've acted anxious before.

i have always had some of these behaviors as a teen and was aware that my nervous energy discomforted ppl. despite this, i had lots of faith that I'd overcome all this.

Now, I've been feeling really hateful and ashamed of my awkward behaviors, and it's causing me to be more hyperaware than usual and act unlike myself (more mute and withdrawn than usual). this is getting worse, as i am now even showing some of the behaviors around my family, who I've always been carefree with. I feel hopeless that I'll ever have the courage/ability to gain the social skills I've always wanted.