I feel like I need to spill my heart and soul out so I’m going to do it, because I know it’s going to make me feel better.
I would encourage you to do this often. Let it all out. Write it all out on paper – or Microsoft Word. Writing down your emotions and frustrations is proven to help you.
It reduces stress by allowing you to take some of that negative energy and place it within the paper. It allows you to feel like someone is listening without judgment. Best of all, it will help you to clarify your thoughts and feelings and allow for you to see lessons that need to be learned and plans of action that can be taken.
Journalling has been a big part of my life. I used to keep a regular “dear diary” type of journal in middle school (which is now kind of hilarious to read back on all my immature adolescent musings). I even had one of those diaries with the key and lock so your older brother doesn’t steal it and read all about you getting your period for the first time and the guy you have a crush on!
Later, I decided to keep a running record of everyday events and travels from basically the period of time when I graduated high school to when I started this blog. It wasn’t so much to get out sadness, but so that I could remember my life better. Now that document consists of 1119 typed pages and over 650,000 words! Reading it is always a trip down memory lane! I love it!
So anyway – I’ve been feeling quite miserable lately and I haven’t really been able to figure out why. My mind has been racing constantly and I need to get it out on paper!
*Warning – this is just going to be a big ramble about what has been going on in my head lately, but I think you will find it interesting!*
“I just don’t feel very healthy since coming to Australia. Plus my skin has been breaking out off and on since being here (which I only just now realized actually comes and goes before my period, although I’m not sure it’s always been this way… or maybe it has….how have I never noticed this before? Probably because I stopped charting my cycle a long time ago due to making myself crazy thinking I was pregnant whenever I was a day or two late… which happened often. I’ve been getting PMS lately, stronger than I ever have too…)
My mind races a lot – it’s what I do. I have a lot of restless mind energy, yet I am usually on the less-energetic side physically. I will try and go over every possibility of what could possibly be going wrong. Why am I feeling so unhappy? Why do I feel fatigued? Wtf is wrong with me?
Something I’ve been thinking about is the blurred line between anxiety brought on by your own thoughts and anxiety that is due to physical reasons like hormones, deficiencies, allergies and other imbalances. We know moods get affected by chemical imbalances – so is it ALL IN MY HEAD? Am I creating my own misery? Or is there something wrong with my body? Or is it a combination of both that feeds off one another?
I decided that it was really likely that I have copper toxicity and a low zinc level. Apparently this can cause fatigue, anxiety, moodiness, racing mind/low energy body, PMS, and the lot – plus acne. Zinc has been linked to acne since the 70s due to it’s role in over 300 chemical reactions in the body, and including one needed to keep your skin looking good.
This is really something I should have paid attention to sooner, but just ignored. Sometimes there’s just too much health information available to me that I have to filter some of it out for myself or I go mental. Anyway, I should have paid attention though, because I have a copper IUD. Plus, modern agriculture has messed up our soil so much that modern foods are very lacking in zinc, so many people are deficient.
Since I’ve been talking to readers about my copper IUD a lot lately and warning them about the zinc deficiency that can come along with it (because copper competes with zinc for absorption in the body, so high copper levels make you seriously at risk for zinc deficiency), I’ve been reading up a lot on it, and I thought – man, Tracy – you should really be taking some zinc.
I’ve also read that Aussie soil is particularly depleted of zinc, so you get even less of it in the food than in North America – could this be a reason Australia has not been agreeing with me?
So I ordered some zinc. It’s in the mail.
But then I decided that I was seriously curious about my mineral levels in general, not just zinc, so I decided to order a hair mineral analysis for a full mineral profile to see what else is up. This is new – I’ve never done this test before and since health is kind of my hobby – and profession now – I’m SO excited (full results will be posted, don’t worry, and also explanations of how hair mineral analysis works).
It’s funny, I kind of thought a hormone test would be the next thing I did when I could afford it, but in addition to zinc, I’ve also been reading a lot lately about mercury poisoning and mercury fillings and how many health problems mercury can cause – this was also something I have tended to ignore because I assumed mercury fillings were something that they used before my time and it would not apply to me!
Turns out I do have one mercury filling and now I’m extremely curious if mercury is a problem for me. So – mineral analysis it was. This opens a whole new can of worms because I don’t want to have to spend the dough to get my filling replaced, but if I have mercury toxicity, I’ll make it a priority (I don’t know if this has anything to do with acne, just general health).
Anyway – I’ve also been having a fair few digestive problems lately – and I know how important a functioning digestive system is to a healthy body and skin (everything in your body is connected to how well your digestive system works and this is something I’m learning the importance of more and more every day).
I am working on remedying this with digestive bitters, HCL betaine, and sauerkraut, but I know I need to get down to business and do a real good gut healing sesh and cleanse.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading up about the GAPS diet (gut and psychology syndrome) and I’m eager to try it when I get home. It’s a full on gut healing diet similar to the Paleo diet with huge emphasis on probiotic foods and a period where you eat a lot of soup and extremely easy to digest things in order to let your gut wall heal (just switching to healthy food helps BIG TIME, but sometimes, for some people, it doesn’t actually heal the damage that has been done to our guts from our poor lifestyles until we give it a gentle chance to sort itself out.) This should eliminate any food allergies you have and set you up for some seriously good health (this stuff is so powerful, people cure their children of austism with this diet!).
Anyway… it’s kind of a lot of work though, so I’m not going to attempt it till I get home, although I really want to do it right now. Did I ever tell you I’m impatient? I want to do it NOW but I just don’t feel it’s the right time.
Anyway… did I also tell you how lonely I am?
Yep. Working from home sounds wonderful but it’s coming with some unanticipated issues. I only realized this yesterday that this may ACTUALLY be my problem – not any of that other stuff.
Yes… I’m really lonely and homesick.
I just don’t know anyone here. I would love to join all kinds of interesting classes or whatever, but we are here to pay off debt and are on a very strict budget. Having Luke here definitely helps though. And I enjoy hanging out with our roommate. And I go for walks and to the beach and the gym and stuff. And I do enjoy time to myself.
But wow – I am actually missing going to work.
Not so much because of the work part, but the human, face-to-face contact. Yes I interact with people all day on the internet, but it’s just not really the same. I’m in a huge rut!!! I almost wish I could get a part time job just for the social boost, but I can’t even do that because I don’t have a visa!
It’s leading to all sorts of other problems – my productivity is going downhill fast. I’m addicted to the internet to fill this loneliness void. I search and consume information constantly – I suppose it’s somewhat justified since I’m always researching something related to the blog that will one day come in handy – like zinc deficiency and the GAPS diet – as opposed to, like, gambling or playing Farmville.
But it literally feels like an addiction instead of production. Instead of researching and using that information immediately to produce a blog post, it goes in and out of my attention span and suddenly doing actual work (writing the blog post) gets pushed further and further back, which creates serious anxiety because I feel like I spent ALL day on the internet with nothing to show for it, and then my self esteem goes downhill. And then I have to spend even more time on the internet to get the work done! I can’t seem to stop though!!!
I’m pretty sure many people have this problem when they are trying to write a paper or something but end up on Facebook instead. This is a modern plague for sure, but I’ve never experienced it like I have been lately. I dream about the computer. I wake up in the morning anxious and get on my computer asap. I can’t do anything else without itching to get to my computer. It’s starting to feel so unhealthy. Being in the moment is essential to happiness, and you can’t be in the moment when you are jonsing for your fix!
I decided to see if this was a common problem amongst work-at-homers and apparently it is. Many people were describing the same thing – the excitement of freedom slowly gave way to anxiety, depression, loneliness, and a huge drop in productivity. Plus they pointed out the fact that when you work at home, there is no way to turn work off. It’s always there, pulling for you. At least when you work in an office, you go home and relax and switch work off. I am feeling this for sure.
I think another reason why I am feeling so unhealthy here in particular is how dark it is in my house and how much it doesn’t feel like a space that is “mine” at all. It’s not a space that I feel has a lot of creative energy running through it and being cooped up in it while on the compter is tough.
Anyway… addicts need the plug pulled on them for a while to reset everything so I feel like I should go on a “low information diet” … an information fast for a while and strictly adhere to only web surfing when it SPECIFICALLY relates to an article or video that I am currently producing, or any other activity that is important to blog development, and NOTHING else.
Agh… I remember how free life seemed back in the summer when I had no internet at my house and when I had the chance to get on the computer, I had to do my work. There was no choice.
That was frustrating too, since I didn’t have enough time on the computer to do more than the bare minimals and that wasn’t enough, but it was also fabulous to spend the rest of the time living my life in the moment. Luke’s also a bit addicted to his own computer, and I dislike the dynamic of how we are when we are both glued in. I feel like it saps our lives of creativity. I loved how our relationship was in the summer without the internet.
Life felt more real.
But anyway. I should do an information fast, but I don’t want to. There’s just nothing else to do here for free once you’ve already been to the beach and the gym. I don’t have any hobby stuff here (like paints for painting) because it costs money to buy and I’ll have to throw everything away when I go home. There’s movies and TV but I don’t see a point in switching from the computer to the boob tube. (These are obviously excuses that an uncreative addict would make!!)
Agh. I’m sad and lonely 🙁 I miss home.
By the way, I wrote this when I had PMS – I’ll be okay, honestly. I feel better already.
Lessons and insights I have learned simply from writing this out:
1. Happiness Occurs When You’re In the Moment
They always say that ‘mindfulness’ and being ‘in the present moment’ was the key to happiness, but my recent internet addiction has really driven that point home. It sucks when you can’t get through the mundane tasks of life (like doing the dishes) because you are addicted and itching to do something else… or just itching to be in the past, in the future, or just somehow away from your present situation. This is why meditation, yoga, and relaxation techniques are so powerful… yet how hard is it to rip yourself away and actually sit down and relax? I really need to make a point to be better with this and do it every. single. day.
2. Human Contact is Essential – Hiding Away is Not the Answer!
Okay, so it’s not like I’m hiding away on purpose right now, but this did remind me of the way I used to hide and avoid social situations when my skin was really bad. I know that human contact is important, but this situation I’m in right now has made me realize exactly how powerful it is! I didn’t realize that working from home could have such a negative effect on your mental health. It really drives the point home that no matter how upset you are over your skin or anything else, hiding away from your friends and social settings is not going to make you any happier. In fact, it’s a recipe for a serious downward slide into depression.
For me, this is a wake up call that if I am going to be a work-from-homer, it is absolutely essential that I work some regular social activities into my weekly schedule so that I don’t feel cut off from the world.
3. No Matter What Life Throws at You, It’s Okay as Long As You Learned a Lesson
They say that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and I couldn’t agree more. My bad acne was the most trying time of my life, yet I made it through, learned plenty of lessons, and grew from the situation. Now I’m grateful I had to go through it. While what I’m going through now is nothing compared to that, I still know that I’ll also get through it alive and I will learn a lesson from it – hey! I already am just by writing this out!
4. This Experience is Helping Me Define What I Want So I can Manifest It
Knowing exactly what you want in life is important, so that you can take the necessary action to bring it into your reality.
Originally Luke and I had set up this wonderful sounding plan, where we going to have endless summers – spend half a year in Canada, and when winter arrived we’d take off to somewhere warm (he’s going to become a kayak guide, so wherever he could get a job in the southern hemisphere). Being in Australia right now is phase one of that plan.
Except this experience has now made me realize that I totally don’t want to do that anymore… I’ve realized how much all this moving around is making me feel unsettled and anxious. I have never lived in the same house for more than 8 months in the last 7 years… average of 4 months per house! I just want to settle down in my hometown, get a house that we can make feel like a home – our home – and stay put and actually develop our lives in one location. Get involved with the community more, grow a beautiful garden, get a dog, and develop long term friendships. Maybe if I hadn’t come here to Australia, I wouldn’t have realized that this is what my heart really desires.
Actions I’ve Taken So Far to Remedy My Situation
- Luke and I had a long talk about our internet addictions and have agreed to limit our time on the computer and spend more time out of the house living life in the moment. We then spent the whole afternoon outdoors. Yay. Let’s hope it sticks.
- Newcastle had its big trash day where everyone puts their big items on the sidewalk… I snagged a big comfy chair and placed it on the back patio that we have, so at least I can use my computer out there instead of in my dark house. Already this is making me feel better. I also scored a mini trampoline!
- We bought a jigsaw puzzle for some wholesome family fun.
- I got a library card and took out a book called “The Procrastination Equation – How to Stop Putting Stuff Off and Start Getting Things Done”. Hopefully it will help me manage my time better so that it’s not as stressful. I also scoped out a bunch of other books I want to read and so I can read them in the park.
- I happened to see on a bulletin board at the health store that they offer free laughter yoga classes in a nearby park every Saturday morning. Done! Will be going to my first sesh today.
- I had a browse through the meetup groups in Newcastle on www.meetup.com to see if there was something different I could attend for free. I’m interested in learning more about spirituality so I was hoping for something like that… however, there wasn’t much choice… the only group along those lines that seems to meet regularly was a “Natural Magick” group, which includes things like wicca, druids, pagan, nature force spirituality and that kind of thing… it’s more “out there” than I was looking for, and I don’t expect to get majorly into witchcraft or anything, but it just seemed eccentric enough to be interesting! Why not? So I’m going to attend a workshop next week just for the heck of it.
Sometimes just doing something totally weird and different – or even just slightly out of your regular routines, for that matter – will majorly zest up your life!
Do you journal? If not, are you going to start? It really helps – I swear! Look at the progress I’ve made from this one post alone!
I definitely think journaling is therapeutic. It really helps. I do it on my blog.
One idea–why don’t you volunteer somewhere? I’m sure they’d love to have you and you don’t need a visa!
That is a good idea! I should see if there are any volunteer organizations to get involved with here. By the way, I want to laughter yoga this morning and it was SO fun!! and I even made some friends 🙂
So cool! Good for you 🙂 I’ve never heard of that but it sounds fun!
I feel you on feeling lonely. During the middle of this week my thoughts were quite negative and I started to doubt myself.
I met 5 other primal folks at Whole Foods in Chicago on Wednesday night. We didn’t even really shop… we just talked about primal living for more than an hour! Today, Friday, was my most productive, most happy, most confident day in a long ass time!
I also made it a must to walk to Lake Michigan today at 10 am. Anytime I go for a walk I feel completely rejuvenated.
I LOVE what I do… I inspire others to take control of their health. You do the same Tracy! Realize that what we are doing is a challenge. It’s not easy. It’s not as safe as a real job in the short term. But, you and I will pull through no matter what is thrown at us.
I have my ups and downs and it sounds like you have to. We must keep going. The world needs more people like you and I. Inspire the world any way you can! Changing one life is better than changing none 🙂
Hang in there! I’m always thinking about our podcast – it’s something that will be big for both of us 🙂
I was wondering if you were feeling the loneliness too! It’s so true how a little bit of chatter with some friends can make a huge difference. I went to the laughter yoga and met some new friends and the class was so therapeutic… I’m really glad I went.
Yep. There’s ups and downs in this job, for sure. But I’m not giving up!
Hey Primal Toad,
If you don’t mind me asking, did you or do you have acne? If so, did the paleo diet help and is it easy?
Hey Tamar!
Yes I did. For 6 years. I used to drink 1/2 a gallon of milk and ate other dairy products too. When I ditched all dairy my acne improved dramatically. This was before I ate paleo.
I went what I call “primal” on April 5, 2010. I felt amazing and rejuvenated right away. My acne did improve quite a bit again. I was never perfect.
Today when I get a whitehead or pimple I ask myself how my life has been for the past few days to a week. Almost always I can confirm that I either ate shit, have been stressing more often then I usually do, have been near sleepless, etc.
I do think living a primal lifestyle can most certainly prevent further acne from developing and healing what you have now. It takes time. You absolutely must dive into other areas of life. I seem to agree with what Tracy is doing at least 99% of the time.
We all tolerate foods differently but giving up all grains, legumes and dairy has absolutely zero side effects while potentially coming with an unlimited amount of benefits.
You just absolutely must experiment on yourself. You may need more carbs then me or less. I say just dive in. Do what you feel is right and adjust accordingly. Do the best you can and when you “fall off” just move on. Forget about the times when you eat something that is technically not paleo.
I still do this all the time but as time goes on I do it less and less.
I could go on and on…
I know how you feel. Not sure if you’ve heard of the Occupy Wall Street protests, but I’ve been a part of that for a while. It always gets me down when I see people, who should be united, doing the wrong thing or when I see outright police brutality and abuse of their power. I’ve been getting stoned a lot lately and I think in many ways it’s to forget a lot of stuff or to make things a bit more enjoyable, but I’m meeting new people too. Great people with open minds and kind spirits. People that I can imagine being friends with when I’m old. I think for a while, having acne, prevented me from having too much social contact with people because I always felt self-conscious about my face. I’m sort of making up for lost time now I guess.
But yeah, I can definitely understand not having social contact with many people and how that can bring someone down. Humans were meant to be social, it’s part of our biology.
I forgot you were in New York! That’s really cool that you’re participating in Occupy Wall Street… I bet that is an amazing, yet very tough situation to be a part of. I think that it’s a great lesson that while life is always going to throw some bad stuff at you, there is usually something amazing to be had/taken away – like amazing friends, or an important life lesson, and maybe some serious political change (I’ve noticed on my personal facebook there is tons of people from my hometown protesting and fighting for rights and causes lately – I’m certain it’s spurred by the spark of the Occupy Protests).
But yeah. I know – we are definitely social creatures! There’s a reason solitary confinement in prisons is considered the ultimate punishment.
I really admire how you’re so diligent in writing in your journal! I used to write in it every day (back in 7th grade), but I slowly tapered off mostly because I was being FORCED to write in it by my parents (lol .. it was more a CHORE than a relaxing thing to do!) I might start it again … it’s been so busy with school!
Weren’t you going to school when you were still in Canada? Are you going to continue it after you get back? I really hope that you eventually can make your way through school and start your own practice (is that your ultimate dream?) 🙂 Now THAT would be something to show for after all this hard work on this blog. And I think that even though school comes with a whole lot of homework, it definitely solves your isolation problem.
One more thing — I looked at that GAPS site, and I found this intriguing paragraph.
“Start the day with a cup of still mineral or filtered water. Give your patient the probiotic. Make sure that the water is warm or room temperature, not cold, as cold will aggravate his or her condition”
This is really similar to what my mom tells me. She’s been telling me a lot lately that I’m simply eating too many cold/raw foods. She said that it’ll ruin my digestion later in my life. Any thoughts on that?
Hopefully everything works out in Australia!
Hi Jeff!
I was/am going to school, but it’s by correspondence work. So I was never actually going to any physical school. I’m majorly procrastinated on finishing that – I really should – but the reason I haven’t is because I’d totally rather do my blog for living than open my own practice… this is so much more creative and wonderful than that! (in my opinion). But I should still finish the course though… I’ve done most of the work, and it would be good to have.
Anyway, as for the hot/cold thing – yes apparently cold water/foods shock the digestive system. I never have cold water (unless at a restaurant or something), and I don’t put ice in my smoothies.
I do think it’s important to eat with the seasons too… it’s winter there now so more cooked soups and stews and warming foods are going to be better than eating raw foods all the time…. it’s just totally in disharmony with your surroundings. Raw foods are better for the summer.
But in your smoothies … aren’t you putting in frozen fruits and such … or things in general from the fridge? Don’t they make the smoothie cold for you? Or do you add hot water?
and I know that your blog will continue to grow. Maybe you can make a living writing new books every once in awhile! you’ll be famous! 🙂
so is that how fran kerr and kevin gianni and all those other bloggers make money? simply from a blog? i never knew you could sustain yourself simply via a blog!
I usually don’t use frozen stuff in the smoothies, and the fruit is usually not in the fridge… if it is, so be it. The smoothies are just more like… room temperature. I don’t worry about it, I just usually don’t have freezing cold smoothies, that’s all.
Anyway, yes you can make a living from a blog (and yeah that’s how Fran and Kevin and all them do it), but it’s tough and a lot of work….time consuming and the money is very slow to come (I’m not even making a living yet, and I’ve been consistently blogging for 11 months). You have to really love the topic to have enough patience and luckily I do 😀
yeah, well i’m pretty sure that you’ll start getting more and more people buying your books soon.
the free ebook reader count does seem to go up every single time i happen to glance it! 🙂
this confession really touched my heart. i can relate to almost everything you write.i think you are really brave to open up to so many people. can i ask a question? i, like you, find myself braking out a lot the week before my period. do you have any idea what is going on during this time of the month?is it androgens, progesterone or estrogen?i have done a lo of research on this but havent come to a conclusion.how can we fix this?
Hi Magda!
I think I’ll explore this topic in the monday Q & A if that’s alright!
That is so true… We are social creatures and as much as we may at times think we can manage without social contact, we simply can’t. I understand the draw of the internet. It feels so good to go sit outside for awhile completely unconnected from everything. It always clears my mind and helps me see things clearly.
Good luck with the yoga.
Volunteering is another thing you can do if you get too bored. Maybe there are some community gardens that need help? Or some old folks who need a hand with their gardens? Libraries need volunteers, too…at least in the USA they do.
I used to write a diary too, but i stopped after split up with ex bf.
I also have such days that i feel really really bad, but then i try not to think about it or do something that help me forget (like dancing, reading favourite book etc.), but I’m always happy when i can chatt with my friends coz it always makes me happier.
now, for example, i have a hard time coz i’m wondering if i should change my studies, this is very difficukt decision, and i can’t talk about it with my best friend coz she’s abroad 🙁 but i try to hold on in such situations and manage with:) Maybe a diary is a good idea, but i still can’t motivate myself to start writting again…
Would you be able to Skype her? I just spent 3 hours skyping with my best friend yesterday and it felt really great (we haven’t talked much since i’ve been here either)
We had skyped a year ago yet but then had problems with connection. I can only be happy that sie’ll be back at home for Christmas;-) we have contact to each other on facebook as well, but don’t use it at the same time too often.
Hi!
I really enjoy your blog. I’ve been reading it for a while but holding back when it comes to commenting but I think I’ll start speaking up a little more 🙂
Do you have any posts about the copper IUD anywhere? I’m preparing to come off the pill these days because I have a feeling it has contributed to a candida problem which has been leading to acne for a while now evne though doctors keep pushing it which I CANNOT STAND. Anyways, recently I have realy been getting into holistic health but I find it really hard living in a university town, what with the drinking and eating meals out.
Anyways, best of luck to you in Australia 🙂 I like hearing about the highs and lows of your trp, especially when it comes to skin because I’m going to Africa next summer and a little worried how my body is going to react to the change of diet AND getting used to being off the pill. Keep up all the great articles and good luck working out your emotions and getting clear skin!! One day I hope mine will look like yours.
Hi Ally!
Throw IUD into the search bar at the top… I wrote about it in a monday q&A article a few weeks ago, and also talked about it in a video called “natural alternatives to hormonal birth control” – or something like that.
Yes I also hate the pushy nature of doctors!! Make sure you do a candida cleanse or two before you head to africa to make sure you’re all good… you want good gut immunity to fight off any infections you may pick up there!
Hi Tracy, thanks for the great dinner recipe!
Re: Fran Kerr’s blog, she sells stuff like skin care products,
and she doesn’t seem to have a free ebook as you do, plus
she sells online consultations, which you could totally do!
You give away a lot of stuff for free, which I sure do appreciat
but at the same time it makes me feel kinda guilty.
You deserve to be paid for all the things you give people here. If that course you’re doing is a certification course, maybe it’s time to finish it
so that you can feel ok with charging for your services.
Good luck with finding places to go out & meet folks…I kinda did a number on my face and am hiding…I know, not healthy… 🙁
Hi Rebecca!
I am kind of offering consultations – I mention it on my contact page, but I haven’t really advertised it yet – I have to admit, I’m delaying because I’m nervous about it. … everyone is SO different, I get nervous I won’t be able to give good advice and they won’t be happy after paying me for my services……….:/ … it’s very irrational and totally just a self esteem thing I need to work through.
Anyway, I think what I really want to do is develop a hosted candida cleanse… like set up a week long program with meal plans, etc, and have a forum where everyone who is doing the cleanse can talk to each other and support each other…. I think that would be really helpful for people.
Also…. don’t feel guilty about all the free info! And just don’t hide forever, and you’ll be okay!
Loved this post! Can you answer a question on masturbation? I know it’s an awkward topic but I’ve read about it on acne.org and how a lot of people seem to break out after masturbating and it seems to be that way for me…does this have to do with crazy hormones?
Hi Lulu!
Hmm… I’ll be honest, I don’t know the answer to the question! From what I understand, it could be a problem, more in particular for guys because ejaculating causes them to lose lots of nutrients… and also because it revs their testosterone. I suppose it could for girls too, but I wouldn’t think it would be as much of a problem…. however, experience speaks louder than theory, and if people notice they get acne after a sexual experience, whether sex or masturbation, then maybe it is true….. however, I also feel like this is something that would happen because our bodies are imbalanced…. if they weren’t, a normal and healthy act like orgasm wouldn’t trigger that kind of response… ya know?
Basically…. I’m not entirely sure.
Hi Tracy! I can definitely relate to this post! I’ve been studying from home for 2,5 years and it’s hard spending all day alone at the house… You seem to do better than me though. The reason I dropped out of ”physical” university was because of my social phobia, which (surprise) got worse from not seeing anyone… Now I have my Master’s Degree and will soon start an internship and I am really scared… It’s a totally different situation from what I’m used to. Studying from home and not getting social contact regulary really messes with your energy and creativity. It’s good to hear that you’re trying to meet people though, I truly hope you find some good friends where you live.
About journaling: I’ve only done it for a couple of weeks but I feel like it’s helping me go through my issues. After finishing my degree my acne got worse, probably due to the stress that comes with being unemployed. I just feel like I won’t be capable of doing a good job and by starting journaling about this feeling I’ve found that I’ve always felt like that! Writing in my diary has helped me keep track of my emotions and thoughts. Understanding that I have a lot of negative thoughts about myself I’ve also started doing affirmations, which I also find is a huge help! I’m convinced that my acne is related to my emotions and it makes me happy when you adress those issues. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Hi Elin!
Good luck with the internship…. I know it’s scary, but one thing I know is that it’s usually the scariest and most uncomfortable things that end up helping us grow the most… I really hope you are able to weather it okay and work through your phobias! Sounds like journalling and affirmations is helping! Lots of lovex
Hi Tracy!
Just started reading some of your posts after googling manuka honey and I found your older post on this honey. So I decided to order it..can’t wait lol
I couldn’t remember where I’d seen your face before and then it hit me! Highonhealth.org..I did those yoga moves for acne you posted on ur youtube acct..I still do them..I feel as though they clear my sinuses. idk could be all in my head lol
Anyway, just wanted to say awesome site & I really love this post. I can totally relate.
Welcome to the blog Laila 😀
Hey Tracy!
This post made me think of something you could do!
I was thinking maybe you could set something up, so that people who read your blog could meet each other (maybe via skype, or pen-paling)?
Or instead of you giving consultations (which you stated you were nervous about) you could just talk to us, and give us support, be a friend?
This post made me think of how I feel unsupported by friends and family. So maybe having that support from others on the blog, or you, could help. Maybe even start an interactive forum…but one different than what Fran or Acne.org have…something more…friendly…
I don’t know.
Those are my two cents.
Light and Love
Good idea Lulu!! I know that support is really important… I’ll think about how I could maybe set that up 🙂
Tracy, Im new to your blog and have really enjoyed your writing. I live in Boundary Bay in BC with my hubby, dog & 2 cats. After a lifetime of looking I finally found paradise and I finally found my gratitude for everything I’m so lucky to have.
2 things though. I have had acne all my life and it is a total self confidence destroyer. It’s something I deal with everytime I look in the mirror. Your blog & you clear radiant face make me feel sooooo much better. Your advise has been so helpful.
#2. I also have an Internet addiction. I’m perpetually seeking information for writing assignments but end up being totally unproductive and feeling ectreamly guilty for all the time I’ve wasted. Still trying to figure out how to tear myself away from all this technology.
I just wanted to thank you for writing this post & blog. It makes me feel a little less alone with these struggles.
PS. If it makes you feel better, it is grey, rainy & nasty in BC right now. Enjoy that beautiful aussie sunshine while you can. BC will always be here.
Hello my fellow coastal BC-ite! Nice to hear from you! 🙂
Acne really is a horrible plague to deal with, and it’s hard to keep your head up when it’s so relentless… but there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you seek it. Have you read The Power of Now, or a New Earth by Eckhart Tolle? I’ve read them before, but I just reread the Power of Now and it’s been making me feel a lot better… it’s a powerful book… it’s helping me cope with the stress I’ve been feeling lately so it might help you too.
Anyway… yes as much as I miss home, I don’t miss the rainy grey weather, that’s for sure! I say I want to settle down and not move anymore, but we’ll see how I go after another long rainy winter!
Hi Tracy,
It is sort of ironic in a way that I found this topic in your blog. I am having a huge problem with this right now too. I go through bouts of being a stay at home mom. When the older kids are at school and the little one is napping I’m a lunatic on the computer. Started Jan 2011 with Primal/Paleo and it has led me to GAPS as well and then my grass fed, organic farmers’ website led me to kefir then those searches led me to your kefir video on youtube. And then I found myself watching all your videos and now your blog(and facebook and twitter). I have too much to do to keep me down for too long but I think I’ll be visiting my library to check out those books and maybe scheduling a break from the internet for a bit to read. I find myself spending entirely too much time surfing…though it led me to this point right here. I have signed up for your YouTube channel and your blog. I enjoy your attitude and your personality. Keep up the good work!
Hi Sheri,
Haha… I know. It’s funny because it’s not like I haven’t come across some awesome stuff on the internet that’s enhanced my life… I’ve learned SO many things. But I find that there’s definitely a line where it’s reasonable surfing, and then there’s that addiction feeling because I’m trying to avoid something emotionally uncomfortable.. filling the gap with endless google searches.. sigh. Well… welcome to the blog, Sheri! Use it responsibly lol
Thanks! I’ll try !! 🙂
Oh my! I love how the universe works, I was brought to your page for a reason. I could of wrote that exactly, word for word! I am in the same situation, this has helped a great deal to put things into perspective for me. Thanks for being so open Tracey.
<3
I can’t even tell you how reassuring this is article is. I started getting acne when I moved to Japan about one year ago and really don’t speak enough Japanese to make a connection. There is definitely a HUGE emotional component to it. I have been working with my emotions for a long time and made leaps of improvement with them but I struggle most with expressing my emotions, especially living in a place where you don’t really talk about anything bad. Of course I am sure many people are in or have been in a similar situation but just reading this helps me to not beat myself up so much for feeling this way. I’m excited to try journaling as an outlet! 🙂