I want to call your attention to the word “pilgrimage” in the title of this article. The definition of pilgrimage I would like to use is as follows: “A journey made to some sacred place, as an act of seeking spiritual growth, enlightenment and healing” ~ Oxford Dictionary.
The idea of a daily inner pilgrimage draws from the original meaning above. However, as you read further, I would like you to ponder this thought: ‘One of the most underrated heroes of the human experience is the gift of agency’. The gift of agency is that you can self-reinvent at any given moment in your life so that you are never boxed into being one thing for the rest of your life or confined to a problem for life.
This is the ideological base I wanted to start this article with. Now, what are some tools (both practical and mental) that we can use to design our lives to achieve optimal mental health?
1. Never lose hope: The first step in a transformation journey is hope and belief in the majesty of a new vision. To truly transform your life, you have to believe that something new, amazing and breath-taking will happen for you.
2. Your inner power: I know people often use the phrase ‘higher power’ but I am more drawn to the notion of an ‘inner power’. I start my day by dedicating 1 hour of intentional prayer and indulging in long stretches of silence, seeking to hear the innermost holy voice within me. You have to find what works for you, but I truly believe, that before you hear the noise and loudness of the voices outside you, establish your secure footing through the voice in you.
3. Listen to music: Listening to music heals the soul and revives joy for life. Bob Marley said it well when he uttered the words “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain”.
4. Detox your body at least once a year: I do a juice detox for 7 days and thereafter for 2 weeks I eat only fruits and vegetables. You will be amazed at how superhuman you will feel after a proper inner detox.
5. Exercise: You don’t have to complicate this one. Not all of us are gym natives (including myself). You can start simply by getting a skipping rope, taking walks in your neighbourhood if it’s safe, going for an easy hike, etc. The goal is to kickstart the habit of just moving your body. Researchers have highlighted the proven benefits that exercise has in improving our mental health.
6. Empower yourself with knowledge: If you are going through a difficult period, it’s understandable how sometimes you don’t feel like being around people and talking. That’s why resources like the Medshield Mindare important because they play a part in providing knowledge & tools in your period of solitude.
7. Do things that unleash your inner child: This has got to be one of my favourite tools. I go to theme parks, eat ice cream from a cone, and play with my young nieces. These things help me get out of my mind and connect with my body & surroundings.
8. Practice being joyful: I believe that joy is a decision! Someone I admire referred to joy as “unconditional and unreasonable happiness”. Click this link to listen to more insights about joy:
https://www.youtube.com/live/EloWN1RDdLU?si=tNKNBEAtOWE3b9uz
I would love to end with this thought: Never let a difficult moment or season define your entire existence.
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