Stop expending energy battling against inherent aspects of your identity or unchangeable conditions, such as sexual orientation or mental illness, as these are unwinnable struggles that lead to exhaustion.
Take an active role in seeking an accurate diagnosis for persistent health issues, including self-research and finding competent doctors for evaluation, as this was critical for David to finally understand and treat his condition.
Understand that finding the ‘proper medication combination’ for mental health conditions can take several years, requiring patience and persistence to achieve significant relief and stability.
Practice meditation to learn to ’lean into whatever is happening right now’ and embrace ‘being fully who you are without judgment,’ which helps to stop the futile struggle against reality.
Understand that in meditation, the ‘game is noticing’ when your mind wanders and then gently returning your attention to your breath; this act of noticing and restarting is considered success, not failure.
Challenge the ‘fallacy of uniqueness’ by understanding that feelings of being ‘uniquely crazy’ are a common part of the human situation, which can reduce isolation and self-judgment.
For children with mental illness, provide deep reassurance that they ‘will be okay’ and that help is available, ensure a proper diagnosis, and parents should actively partner with doctors to find the right fit and manage care.
Offer consistent reassurance and hope to individuals experiencing mental health struggles, emphasizing that they ‘will be okay’ and nurturing their ‘human pilot light’ to prevent it from extinguishing.
Actively manage mental health by prioritizing sleep (including naps), maintaining regular eating habits, engaging in therapy, and consulting with a psychiatrist for necessary medication adjustments to prevent severe episodes.
Pay close attention to your sleep patterns, eating habits, and overall activity levels, as disruptions in these areas can be early indicators of an impending hypomanic or mental health episode.
Practice rhythmic and repetitive activities, such as chopping food while cooking, to slow down your mind, find moments of calm, and experience small instances of happiness.
Cultivate mindfulness by carefully observing simple, mundane sensory experiences, such as watching a pad of butter melt, to feel grounded and present in the moment.
When facing an undiagnosed or persistent struggle, try a variety of coping mechanisms such as journaling, confiding in close friends, engaging in spiritual practices, exercising, and adjusting your diet.
Engage in activities like watching a favorite show (e.g., Julia Child reruns) that can serve as a ‘good distraction’ to temporarily turn off painful or punitive thoughts.
When in a desperate situation, communicate the severity of your internal struggle to adults or caregivers to ensure you receive the necessary professional help, as David did to see a psychiatrist.
Exercise caution and seek alternatives or second opinions before accepting tranquilizers or strong medications for children, as David and his father declined Valium at age 11.
Recognize that meditation can be ‘virtually impossible’ for individuals experiencing severe manic or depressive phases of a mood disorder due to intense internal chatter and difficulty focusing.
Understand that an ‘indomitable force of will’ or ‘veneta’ can be powerful for achieving external goals, but recognize its potential for self-battling and learn to apply it discerningly rather than against internal realities like identity or illness.
Share your personal story, particularly about challenging life experiences, to connect with and potentially help others who may be facing similar struggles.
When writing a memoir, be ‘honest enough with yourself’ and focus on making your story ‘more specific,’ as this approach increases its universal appeal and ability to deeply connect with readers.
Undertake a process of deep self-reflection, like writing a memoir, to achieve a more profound and ’three-dimensional’ understanding of your own life and identity.
Commit to a consistent daily meditation practice, such as 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night, to help achieve mental equilibrium and potentially unlock unexpected creative outlets.
When exploring spiritual or unconventional practices, maintain a critical perspective and ‘question the validity’ of claims like talking to spirits, as advised by the host.
Write notes of encouragement, love, or support on a banana for a loved one, take a picture, and share it on social media using #notesonabanana to contribute to a ‘digital quilt of love, support, and caring.’