Utilize Joseph Campbell’s ‘The Hero with a Thousand Faces’ framework to understand and navigate transitions from extraordinary experiences back to ordinary life, ensuring one processes the ‘refusal of the return’ stage rather than skipping it, which can lead to feeling trapped.
When experiencing severe depression or emotional pain, seek help from trusted individuals and professional therapists. Recognize that it’s not a sign of weakness and requires immense effort to overcome, often needing external support and a step-by-step approach.
Engage in consistent, full-time (e.g., once a week) talk therapy with a skilled therapist, especially when facing deep-seated emotional challenges, even if there’s an initial resistance to seeking help.
During periods of severe mental distress or impaired judgment (‘foggy goggles’), outsource critical decisions and temporarily allow trusted individuals to ‘hold’ your identity and beliefs, as your own judgment may be impaired.
Overcome the fear of judgment and open up to trusted friends and community members about your struggles; people often respond with support and empathy, not judgment.
When experiencing persistent ’low-grade pain’ or a sense of unsatisfactoriness, uncertainty, or unease, communicate these feelings to a trusted individual rather than trying to fix it alone or intellectualize your way around it.
Cultivate a broad ‘range’ of behaviors and mindsets, embracing both protective instincts when necessary, but also developing kindness, calmness, and gentleness, recognizing that a complete person integrates various traits beyond traditional aggressive archetypes.
Practice surrendering to life’s uncontrollable realities and actively listen, rather than resisting or attacking every problem, as this can lead to less painful and more effective navigation of challenges.
Channel aggressive or ‘wild’ energy into structured physical activities or combat sports, which can improve discipline, academic performance, and reduce unproductive conflict.
Believe that with enough hard work and effort, you can achieve desired skill levels and overcome challenges, fostering continuous improvement and resilience.
Develop a healthy skepticism towards established rules and norms, especially in chaotic or unpredictable environments, to foster adaptability and independent problem-solving.
If considering plant medicines for psychological healing, first stabilize your situation with slow, deliberate, and professional therapeutic guidance to contextualize experiences and provide post-experience integration support. Avoid intense psychedelics as a ’nuclear option’ without prior preparation.
If recommended by a physician, consider short-term, low-dose pharmacological assistance (e.g., Wellbutrin) to create ‘space’ or distance from overwhelming emotional pain, facilitating other therapeutic processes.
Consider eliminating alcohol, especially during periods of emotional distress or depression, as it can significantly improve sleep and physical fitness, contributing to overall well-being.
Engage in regular physical activity (e.g., 5 days/week training, 2 days/week sauna) to maintain mental clarity and emotional well-being, especially when feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Wait 90 minutes after waking up before consuming coffee to improve sustained energy levels throughout the day and avoid an afternoon crash.
Adopt a light grazing eating pattern, consuming small meals or snacks frequently throughout the day (e.g., 8 times/day), rather than large, infrequent meals, to support sustained energy and physical fitness.
Simplify your life by eliminating unnecessary commitments and ’extra bullshit,’ focusing on core responsibilities, close relationships, and purposeful activities rather than constantly seeking external achievements or piling up a busy schedule.
Dissolve one packet of Element in 16-32 ounces of water first thing in the morning and during physical exercise to ensure proper hydration and electrolyte balance (sodium, magnesium, potassium) for optimal brain and body function.
Practice Yoga Nidra or Non-Sleep Deep Rest (NSDR) for 10-minute sessions to greatly restore levels of cognitive and physical energy.