Category: Practical Application

Video Gaming and Mental Health: It’s Super Effective

Posted on by andrew

Blaine Hancock (he/him/his), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Let’s face it – life can be pretty hard sometimes. It can be incredibly draining on your mental health to have to juggle a job, family, friends, school, errands, etc. The question is, what can we do to help lower our stress and keep our mental health in check?

 

I’m sure you know of several different strategies such as exercising, listening to your favorite songs and eating healthy foods. However, have you ever considered that playing video games may be an excellent way to lower your stress and help your mental health? Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t do the other strategies I listed (because you definitely should), but it may be wise to consider gaming as a strategy too! Here are just a handful of the positive effects video games can have on your mental health.

 

Note: This article only applies to a low-to-moderate amount of gaming. Playing video games too often may not be great for your mental health. Just like everything else in life, moderation is key!

 

Lower Anxiety (Brief Escape)

 

First and foremost, playing video games can help you escape your daily grind and lower your anxiety. Video games provide a source of fun that can often be lacking in life. They transport you to a world where you, and maybe a few friends, are able to run, jump, explore, discover and have amazing times! This brief escape into a realm of fun can help calm your mental health and may provide you with more perspective on your current life stressors.

 

Sense of Accomplishment

 

After beating a tough video game level you’ve tried to complete a dozen times, you feel a sense of accomplishment that is absolutely unrivalled. This feeling can do wonders for your positivity and confidence levels, which in turn can completely revamp your mental health. This sense of accomplishment can also come from simply completing minor tasks that help to progress you in a game. Keep completing those quests and rebuild your mental health at the same time!

 

Increase Creativity

 

One interesting positive effect of video games is their ability to spark creativity. Video games often contain incredibly creative art/visuals, music and writing. Hearing and seeing these interesting works can inspire you to add some creativity to your own life! This creativity could be as big as wanting to create your own video game, or as small as simply wanting to add a bit more color to your wardrobe. Either way, feeling more creative and passionate about something is an awesome way to combat mental health struggles.

 

Strengthen Social Connections

 

Creating new social connections or building on established ones always has a positive impact on your mental health. One way of helping to create new social connections or build on old ones is to throw some video games into the mix. Adding video games into a social setting creates a common element for everyone to talk about and have fun bonding over. Also, video games are often a casual enough activity that you all can discuss your lives/stressors while still gaming together and enjoying one another’s company. Social connections can be strengthened and your happiness will skyrocket!

 

At this point, you may be thinking to yourself, “What are a few video games I could play to experience some of these positive effects?” My three suggestions are Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Stardew Valley and Super Mario Party. You will have an absolute blast with these three games, and your stress levels will surely lower. Best of luck in your mental health/video game journey!

 

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Leave your thoughts for Blaine in the comments below – better yet, start up a dialogue with the Low Entropy community in person, at a Conscious Connections meeting or online at our community site. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube to stay up-to-date with Low Entropy news!

Starting Small

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Jihu Lee (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Can you think of any skills or abilities you acquired during childhood that are now second nature to you? Perhaps developing a love for a food you used to hate or learning a second language that you are now fluent in. You probably didn’t notice much progress until a sufficient amount of time had passed. Change accrues over time and takes patience, whether we are trying to become skilled at a hobby, see gym results or pull ourselves out of a dark place. 

 

We sometimes can’t help but wish for instant gratification, so we’re often reluctant to start something at all. But starting somewhere, no matter how far of a shot in the dark, will eventually lead us to our goal point. In the 1980s researchers identified six stages of change, the first of which is mere precontemplation, where people have no intention whatsoever of changing their behavior or lifestyle. This should indicate that even the smallest of steps counts as a move towards change, no matter how unproductive they may seem. It may feel daunting to take a step out of our comfort zones, until we start to see our hard work pay off. But keep in mind that taking initiative puts you further along the way than if you had done nothing at all, even if the beginning looks unpromising. 

 

Another key point to staying on track towards change is to be consistent with our efforts. During times when everything seems stagnant, rest assured progress is slowly happening. Imagine a leaky tap dripping water into a bucket. Initially, you might think it will take an eternity before that bucket fills up. But be patient and the water will rise to the brim before you know it. 

 

Most importantly, we need to be self-aware and hopeful during our journey towards our dreams. Doing the same thing over and over won’t produce different results. That isn’t what consistent effort entails. Instead, we must push ourselves to be cognizant of where we can improve and to stay humble so that we don’t let a milestone get to our heads. Similarly, we have the right to give ourselves credit for the work we are putting in. Just because change isn’t immediately visible doesn’t mean your efforts are all for naught. Rebecca Solnit’s take on being hopeful is that it is the balance between optimism – the belief that everything will be fine without taking responsibility – and pessimism – the belief that everything will end up in ruins no matter what. Between these hot and cold endpoints is the gradient of uncertainty where it is up to us to take action. Hope reassures us that no matter what kind of outcome we get, our efforts create the ultimate impact. 

 

Here is what we have discussed so far about working towards change: 

 

  1. Take a step: it doesn’t matter how small or if you’re doubtful of whether or not it’ll be worth it. All you need is to start, and from then on, you’ve already pointed yourself in the direction of change. 

 

  1. Just because you don’t see anything yet doesn’t mean nothing is happening: don’t be discouraged when you can’t see much progress overnight, within a week, over the course of months or even years! Change doesn’t adhere to deadlines, so always remind yourself that every effort you put in will reward you somehow, even if not in the way you’d expect. 

 

  1. Don’t be afraid to evolve: not surprisingly, in order to see change, we must change. This can mean different things for every individual. You might recognize where you lack and intensify your efforts, while another person learns to respect their own boundaries and give themselves the rest they need in order to be more productive. Whatever it takes, we have to evolve if we want to create change in our lives. 

 

  1. There is hope: it is okay if your investments didn’t produce the rewards you wanted. Even if you didn’t fulfill the goal you were aiming for, the experience you acquired in striving to reach it will surely serve you well in another walk of life. 

 

Starting out small can set off a chain reaction of progress. As a final note, I want the reader to remember that everyone lives at a different pace, and a slow journey is never a sign of inadequacy. And it is never too late to try something new as long as

you just start!

 

—

 

My name is Jihu, and I’m from Salt Lake City, Utah! I have been with Low Entropy since May 2021. Some of the things I love are reading, writing, listening to music, playing with my dogs and spending time with my sister!

Self-Therapy: An Introduction

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Anastasia Lee (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

 

Therapy is expensive. Each session can cost between $60 and $250 or even more, potentially racking up thousands of dollars per patient per year. Although therapy is effective, it is not a solution for everyone, and there is no one-size-fits-all kind of therapy. Everybody’s psychological needs differ, and sometimes professional psychological treatment isn’t enough.

 

Depression and anxiety are becoming more and more common as psychological disorders, especially after a year-long global pandemic. Mental health decline is on the rise, peaking in the past decade, and it is worsening due to debilitating economic conditions. Losing jobs, homes and assets can be traumatic, as being stripped of your necessities can force you into survival mode. The cost of living is becoming more and more expensive. Considering these major challenges and dramatic changes in the environment, it is no surprise that depression and anxiety are becoming more prevalent in our society.

 

Self-therapy, which is any healing tool that provides mental alleviation and emotional support, has the potential to become the future of mental health therapy. It focuses on the individual becoming dependent on their cognitive and support systems, instead of relying on others for therapy. It is bringing back the power to the individual and creating a solid foundation for their mental health. It is not a replacement for therapy with a trained professional, but more so a way to cope with challenging, complex circumstances when one cannot afford therapy.

 

I must re-emphasize that self-therapy is not a substitute for therapy. It is a coping mechanism. There is no professional training required for self-therapy, and therefore it is not considered an form of medical therapy.

 

What is self-therapy?

 

Self-therapy is a potentially effective practice with all kinds of benefits: processing negative thoughts and emotions; coping healthily with trauma; rediscovering unconscious, shadow aspects; reflecting on your actions, habits and behaviors; keeping track of your progress and much more. Self-therapy isn’t limited to a specific set of practices. It is formed and shaped according to the needs and desires of the individual. Self-therapy is very much like self-care; it is for the mind and heart.

 

How is it an effective tool for coping with negative thoughts and emotions?

 

Self-therapy is a channel for self-expression and conscious processing. It brings unconscious and subconscious programming to the conscious surface. It is essential for working through trauma, which is often responsible for negative thoughts and emotions. Whether through journaling, voice messages, videos or other forms of self-therapeutic expression, it is a productive and constructive coping mechanism for releasing heavily suppressed thoughts and emotions. In this way, they do not remain trapped within the psyche, where they wreak havoc on our mental and emotional well-being.

 

How do I prepare for self-therapy?

 

  1. Intention-Setting: Before diving into self-therapy, evaluating your intentions for why you believe therapy is necessary and how you will undergo the process is essential for an effective session. Every session doesn’t have to be the same, and depending on the needs of the individual, the intentions can differ as desired. This intention-setting practice can be performed in various ways: writing down purposes in a journal, repeating them aloud in front of a mirror, sharing them with a trusted friend or family member, or expressing these intentions through art and music, to name a few.

 

  1. Creating a Safe Space: Your sanctuary can be created anywhere. Whether it’s your bedroom or outside in nature, being where no distractions or problems can reach you is the best place to be. It can be by yourself or with a friend or trusted partner, and it is encouraged to have someone assist you in the process if possible. You can put on music or surround yourself with the things you love and appreciate the most in life. Build your safe space as you like, and change your environment as needed.

 

  1. Practice Vulnerability: If you’ve spent years hiding who you truly are from the world, then it’s time to open up and express yourself, finally. Use your voice to talk about your thoughts and emotions. Don’t overthink anything you’re saying. Just speak. Detach from any judgments projected on you. Take it easy on yourself and ease away from being self-critical. It is okay to have flaws and imperfections, and practicing vulnerability requires accepting these aspects of yourself. Become more comfortable listening to your voice, feeling your emotions and hearing your thoughts.

 

  1. Ask Yourself Questions: When practicing self-therapy, it’s essential to guide yourself with the right questions. It is beneficial for you also to ask yourself questions to assist you with your healing process. Write down your own questions and answers throughout each session and, if needed, go completely off track and dive deeper into what needs confrontation. Every session is meant to be for your personal needs, so do exactly what you feel is best for you.

 

  1. Acquire the Right Tools: Self-therapy is relatively cheap and easy. The essential tools needed are a journal, pen and mirror. Of course, these aren’t requirements. Self-therapy can be talked through without notes, but having a mirror may help you connect with your body, language and ways of expression. A journal and pen may be useful for writing down things you want to remember in future sessions, while also tracking your progress and seeing what you need to work on and integrate.

 

—

 

My name is Anastasia. I am 22 years old, and I am from California. Ever since I was a kid, writing has been my passion because it is a channel of self-expression. With every piece of writing, I hope to build a collected masterpiece of art to share with the world.

Anxiety: How I Live with It

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From recognition to management, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Kanak Khatri has had plenty of experience with anxiety disorder, and some advice to share on how to actually create value from it.

 

What is Anxiety Disorder?

 

Some days I realise that I am not going to get a lot of sleep because of a minor occurrence in my life. Other days, my nerves get agitated for seemingly no reason. As much as it is human and totally normal to be anxious, nervous and apprehensive sometimes, some people, like myself, have more pronounced and disproportionate experiences. That is anxiety disorder.

 

How Did I Identify It?

 

I had lived with anxiety disorder for several years before I realized that I needed help. The first step towards managing it was when I identified and accepted that I had anxiety, and now I had to live it. So, how did I identify my anxiety disorder? One effect of my anxiety disorder was its physical symptoms.  Anxiety manifests physically with symptoms like rapid heart rate, sweaty palms, upset stomach, rapid breathing and restlessness. All this was happening from merely thinking about future events like a quiz or an interview, and sometimes for no reason.  I also noticed that my anxiety disorder also affected the relationship that I had with myself. I was trying to be best at everything, and if I wasn’t, I felt shame and guilt. I was exhausted preparing for everything day and night, because nothing seemed good enough. I assumed the worst in every situation; I couldn’t stop the negativity in my train of thought. In addition, when times got tough, I closed off emotionally and avoided any kind of socializing. Although I knew there was something in me that I needed to acknowledge and address, I just did not want to accept it. In retrospect, I realize that if I had addressed it sooner, I’d be even healthier now.

 

How Do I Manage It?

 

Depending on the severity of the anxiety disorder, management may require professional help. This was my case, as it was accentuated by the loss of a close family member. However, many ways in which I manage my anxiety disorder are easy to adopt and adjust. After I identified and acknowledged my anxiety disorder, I started making a list of things that triggered my anxiety. This included deadlines, interviews, doing something new (like starting a new job) and basically most things that involved uncertainty. These triggers caused my mind to overflow with thoughts and what-ifs.

 

Scheduling my daily life and following a routine: Following making the list, I had to manage those things in such a way that they did not give me anxiety. Knowing I had control kept my anxiety in check. The most significant change that helped me was micromanaging my days and knowing the things I would get done each day. I would set reminders in my calendar, so I never missed any important event. For things that required preparation, like an interview, I gave myself plenty of time, so I would not exhaust myself. My scheduling also included waking up and sleeping at a fixed time, to give all my activities enough time.

 

Improving my relationship with myself: I came to terms with the fact that I do not have to be perfect. Making mistakes is what makes me human and gives me room for improvement. And I can never be totally prepared for life; I must deal with things as they come. I also made myself understand that everything has a chance of failure, and that I should not be negative when things don’t work. In other words, I took rein of my train of thoughts and now I know when to stop.

 

Practicing relaxation techniques: Two of the practices that really helped me were meditation and using a diffuser. I regularly meditate with a candle, which involves simply focusing on my breathing and the candle’s flame. I feel it makes me really focused, releasing a bit of anxiety with every breath I exhale. Using essential oils like lavender and chamomile with a diffuser has also helped me relax during the day and sleep at night.

 

How Has My Life Changed?

 

These changes did not happen overnight. For me, they took a few weeks to implement, and I still have a few sporadic bad days. But having a routine and schedule have not only reduced my anxiety, it has also given me advantages in life. My over-preparation proved to be fruitful for my interviews and my job, in general. There used to be a time when my anxiety was my weakness, but in time I believe it will turn it into my strength. This is how I live with my anxiety. I hope my story helps you live with yours too.

 

Do you have experience with anxiety? How do you manage it? Let our compassionate community know on our social media channels, in the comments below or at a Low Entropy meeting!

Optimism, By Design

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Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Amara Camacho shares five ideas to boost the positivity of our home environments and, in turn, ourselves.

 

When it comes to boosting one’s mood, we often forget how great an influence our home environment is on our overall being. We keep relying on outside sources to make us happier but fail to consider that it begins right at home, where we start our day from and, essentially, end it. 

 

If there’s one thing that I’ve gained from spending the majority of my time at home as a result of the pandemic, it’s that small changes can make the greatest difference. Here are five tips that can make your home environment a positive influence, and even a mood booster. 

  • Increase natural light and sunlight at home.

Do you ever notice how much happier we get when it’s summertime, the day’s longer and the sun is peeking in through our windows? Natural light at home increases productivity, encourages higher levels of energy, is a source of vitamin D and generally helps to improve your mood. One way of increasing natural light is by simply opening up your curtains, blinds or screens, and allowing the sunlight to enter your space. However, this may not always be an option, or the weather forecast may not be to our liking, which would require us to turn to other sources. There are options to install light bulbs that emit natural-looking light or make small purchases of sun lamps that mimic sunlight. 

  • Declutter and recycle. 

The environment you surround yourself with at home, like your room, the living room or even the kitchen, are major influences on the state of your overall being. By decluttering and recycling, you’re not only creating a cleaner space, you’re also disposing and clearing out the clutter that is no longer serving a purpose for you. This act will allow you to rejuvenate, cleanse and have a sense of starting over. It will give you the opportunity to detach yourself from materialistic attachments that might be holding you back from growing or discovering new things. Additionally, recycling these possessions by donating them to thrift stores or those in need will also be a great chance to contribute and help the less fortunate. What’s important to remember is that decluttering doesn’t mean being a minimalist. It’s taking away things that are cluttering your space, making you sad, irritable, lazy and anything but motivated. 

  • Create designated “focus” spaces.

Now that you’ve decluttered, you’re probably wondering what to do with your new (or old) space. Creating focus spaces is vital in maintaining a balanced lifestyle, which then also nurtures a balanced mood. If you work in the same space you sleep, like in your bedroom, it mentally confuses you. It might make you less productive and feel less motivated to get out of bed. It’s important to have a division between home life and work life, especially at a time like this, where so much work has become remote. Designated spaces at home for work, rest and play minimize distractions and temptations to partake in irrelevant activities, while keeping you focused and positively influencing your mood. 

  • Satisfy your five senses.

What’s more fun than decorating your own home? Sometimes, indulging in a fun and no-rule activity like decorating can actually make you feel better and brighter. If you spend most of your time in one space, it would be a great relief if you loved it too – like the things you smell, see, feel, consume and hear! Make your home, especially your bedroom, appealing to you, because if you like your environment, you’ll be more content. Have your walls painted in a colour that calms you, adjust the smell by buying scented candles,and play the music that you love. The adjustments are all up to you, but satisfying your five senses will boost your mood when you’re at home and even as you leave it to begin your day. 

  • Share your goals and intentions with the people you live with.

It’s great to follow these tips and I’m sure it will help immensely to boost your mood. However, if those you live with do not support or create a similar space as you, it can be challenging for any of these approaches to serve their purpose. It might even be more challenging, the more people who live with you. Have a conversation and start small. Talk about what’s good and what needs improvement. Share your goals and intentions, because what you think might be beneficial for you might also be beneficial for someone else. It’s always important to consult those you live with so that you can reach an ultimate solution that benefits everyone. 

 

Your environment is crucial to your overall being. By starting at home and following these simple tips, you can make the greatest impact on boosting your mood!

 

Sources: 

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-your-personal-environment-impact-your-wellbeing

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-you-can-create-healing-environment-home

https://sustainability.ncsu.edu/blog/changeyourstate/benefits-of-natural-light/

 

How do you shape your environment to improve your mood? Share your interior design tips with our community on our social network platform, or on any of our social media channels!

Reconstruction

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Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Janki Patel always put herself last, until she couldn’t hold herself together any more. Guided by a set of simple principles, Janki shares how she was able to build herself back up. 

 

Have you ever given great advice to others but never followed your own? That is the story of my life when it comes to self-empowerment.

 

It stemmed from my people-pleasing behavior. I was the kid who constantly needed approval for everything. Then, I became the teenager who wanted to put everyone first before herself. Eventually, it became about living through and for others.

 

People-pleasing sounds great but it’s far from it. You come off as this noble knight, but there is just darkness beyond the armor. It’s a way to run away from problems, emotions and sometimes your own life.

 

It took a lot of time and some rough experiences to realize that it’s crucial to be confident in myself, my choices and my abilities. I always feared I would come off as self-centered if I spoke up for myself too loudly or made decisions without consulting anybody. I was also scared to hurt those around me. It was difficult for me to give myself importance . . . it almost felt wrong.

 

I think the scariest part was concealing it all so well that no one had the slightest clue. Eventually, I hit a breaking point. I made impulsive decisions, I nearly dropped out of school and every part of me felt empty. I am a firm believer that sometimes we need to hit our lowest point to wake up. And I hit mine. Hard. 

 

This was where self-empowerment came into play. This was when I realized that I have full control over everything I choose. It was when I wanted to spill my feelings and cry my heart out.

 

My breaking point was when I heard my niece’s first cry. I was right outside the hospital room and my knees buckled. I sobbed helplessly, overwhelmed. It seems strange, but that was it. That was my moment. I felt like I had a chance.

 

I took it upon myself to figure how I could begin a process of empowerment. Here are some ideas that helped me:

  • Forgive. It sounds simple, but it was one of the most difficult things to do. It’s easier to feed yourself with negativity than to own up to mistakes and believe you will do better. However, forgiving yourself is very necessary because it is one of the ways you can allow yourself to move on. Does this mean all my actions were justified? No. But it did mean that I could learn from them and make better choices thereafter.


  • Talk. Sometimes I think there are several reasons why people choose to internalize over speaking to someone about their feelings. One of them might be that we never learned how to. So, one day, I just did it. I spoke to my family about everything I’d been feeling in the past few years. I remember feeling so nauseous moments before, but once we had a discussion, I felt liberated.


  • Do. If overthinking were an Olympic sport, I’d always win gold. It is one of the biggest reasons I never took positive risks and left my path empty. I still experience it, but I don’t give it full control. Now, I focus on doing things. I tell myself to take one chance, to try something just once, and go from there – bite-sized goals if you will.


  • Become friends with yourself. Will I ever be able to fully accept and be confident in myself 24/7? Not a chance. It is practically laughable. Sometimes I will be as stale as bread. But my point is, treat yourself with kindness, respect and care as much as you can. Think of how great of a friend you are to someone, and now imagine giving yourself the same treatment. It will go a long way. 

 

Self-empowerment is broad, personal and sometimes even scary. It does not happen overnight, but a gradual process is possible. I will continue to struggle with it every day, but that breaking point opened a world filled with little bursts of happiness for me. Living my life through and for others no longer makes sense to me.

 

It is still about gaining approval . . . but from a friend I’d been neglecting for too long. Me. 

How would you describe yourself, as your own friend? We’re just asking because we think you’re awesome and we hope you do, too! Meet up with us on our community platform, or in person at a Conscious Connections group!

Empowering Language to Cultivate Gratitude & Abundance

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Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Aldona Maria shares simple techniques to empower ourselves through language by cultivating gratitude and abundance in our expressions.


The language we use says a lot about how we perceive the world. In this blog post, I will be sharing with you a simple technique to empower yourself through language by cultivating gratitude and abundance in your expression. 

 

Even though it has become an old adage that communication is only 7% verbal, the relatively small proportion it takes up does have an impact. The words we use hold power. The parallel between “spell” and “spelling” is no coincidence!

 

So, how can you use language to empower yourself?

 

The underlying victimhood that often corresponds with a mentality of scarcity is often a conditioning deeply rooted within the psyche. It is often our beliefs that we are victims and undeserving that create situations that seem to validate those very same beliefs. This is all governed by the universal Law of Resonance, which states that your vibration will align with vibrations of the same frequency and cast them back to you.

 

When you cultivate gratitude and abundance within the language you use, you are shifting your focus away from lack and scarcity by reframing your perspective and allowing your positive expressions to manifest. This, in turn, creates positive resonance.

 

When you notice your perspective is focused on what is lacking in any given situation then, shift gears and see what there is to be grateful for, no matter how small. Acknowledge what is there. Only after you have done that, add how you will create that which you would like to have or see happen: the needed improvements.

 

For example, let’s say that you would like to have a better bike. Instead of complaining about how rusty, old, or noisy your bike is, you instead express gratitude for having a functioning mode of transportation, and that you would like to show your appreciation for it by painting it, oiling the chains and decorating it. Or, perhaps, honour the service that your rusty old bike has given you, and prepare to give it the rest it has earned by saving for a new one. 

 

Another way to create gratitude and abundance in language is, when safe and appropriate, to replace every “no” with a “yes” instead. For example, instead of saying no to a job offer because the salary offered doesn’t meet your needs, you tell the employer that you would like a higher salary. Often this is something that can be negotiated, and you might get your way! Otherwise, if the employer declines, you thank them and tell them you are going to continue your search, but that you would love it if they kept your application and thought of you, should a higher budget be allocated to the salary offer. This is a way to value yourself and keep channels open, rather than burning bridges.

 

An important note here is that when it comes to protecting your boundaries, it is absolutely ok and sometimes necessary to state a clear NO!

 

Apart from those important scenarios, you might be surprised how many negative statements can be re-framed into more positive ones. Let’s say you have given an intern a task, for instance, and you feel disappointed about how it was done. Now instead of saying, “No, this is wrong,” you could opt to say instead, “Your presence and efforts here are very appreciated, now it would be ideal if you could do this task like this.”

 

In essence, when you replace lack with gratitude, it creates abundance.

 

When you empower yourself and lead by example, you give others permission to do the same. True empowerment does not come at the cost of others; on the contrary, it creates win-win situations for everyone. This is because when you are empowered, you feel whole and there is no need to behave in ways that disadvantage others. 

 

You also need to know that the power of your intention is strong. If you merely begin by making an intention that you will use language that cultivates gratitude and abundance, you will already have come a long way. And if you, on top of that, add the belief that the way you are using language really does empower you, the effects will be stronger.

 

I hope that these basic techniques will serve to empower anyone who is open to re-visiting the use of language with the intention to transform it into a more empowering tool of communication and overall being! 

 

Thanks for reading! 


With Gratitude,

Aldona

We would love to hear about your explorations of using empowering language – if you haven’t already, try it out and then check back in to let us know in the comments or at our community site!

How to Cope with Racial Tension as a Biracial Person (and Take Your Power Back!)

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Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Daniel Quinney’s mixed-race background has prompted the same set of conversational questions over and over again, but for a long time Daniel struggled with finding an answer to feeling disconnected and excluded. For anyone who has felt the same way in this increasingly polarized world, Daniel shares some ideas on how to create a space where you belong.

 

As an individual of biracial heritage with an Irish-Canadian mother and an African father, I have always struggled with the fact that I often feel that I come from two different worlds.

 

How can a person, with one parent from a dominant group in society and another from a racialized group, deal with the tension that arises from belonging to both groups? Or the unwelcome feeling that they belong to neither?

 

How do we find our voice to speak up and live our truth as only we can?

 

Too black for white people. Too white for black people. 

 

I’ve heard these sentiments echoed often from people I know who have mixed-race backgrounds like mine. 

 

When I was younger, people would ask, “So, what are you?” Of course, it would be game time for me at this point, so I would tell them that I am a person.

 

A human was also acceptable if I wanted to be extra cute.

 

So they would then ask, “Ok, but what is your nationality? “

 

I would say Canadian. They would come back with, “Yeah, yeah, but what is your ethnicity?”

 

I knew what they were getting at. Even though I was born in Vancouver, I would eventually relent and give them what they want.

 

Half-Tanzanian, half-Irish, I would say. 

 

At an earlier age, I would have simply said half-African, but as time passed I think I wanted to up the level of difficulty a little (a bit of a pattern with me).

 

Yet ever since I found a deeper appreciation for the African side of my identity as a teenager, I often had this nagging feeling that half of me was on the wrong side of a conversation or dispute that had been going on long before I was born.

 

I gradually came to understand that people of all walks of life, of all colours, abilities, genders and orientations, can feel disconnected or without a sense of belonging in this world, and that I didn’t have a monopoly on that feeling of not fitting in. Over time, I found constructive ways to do something about what I was experiencing.

 

Along that journey, I developed coping mechanisms to give myself, as a biracial person, a sense of place and belonging in the world. I hope I have done an adequate job of passing these on to my children, and others as well.

 

  • Love your uniqueness: Only you are exactly like you. Be proud of yourself, both mentally and physically. Textured hair? Green eyes? Big ol’ butt? Don’t be ashamed of the features that make you unique as a mixed-race person. Don’t hide what you are, embrace it. Forget about the so-called “traditional” standard of beauty; it’s a new world out there. 

 

  • Use your creative voice at work and within your community: Be vocal about the things you care about. Listen to the stories of other voices, other communities, other races. Support causes you truly believe in. If you are an artist of any kind, reflect that passion in your artwork, whatever it is, since it is a reflection of you and your thoughts.

 

  • If you can’t give dollars, give your time:  Give back to the generations that are coming up. Volunteer to be a mentor, or a tutor if you are an expert in your field. By the way, we are all experts in something. Time to pay it forward.

 

  • Share your culture: Go to the festivals. Celebrate the customs of both cultures, whatever they may be. Talk about your history and the story of your family. Encourage strong ties with grandparents on both sides. Embrace and show off the things you enjoy about your culture(s) with your kids, and your friends too. 

 

  • It’s OK to not talk about race all the time: Not everyone is a Malcolm X or an Oprah or MLK or Obama, and that’s just fine. People define themselves in different ways, least of all by race, and that’s the way it should be.

 

  • Don’t play the role or try to fit a stereotype: Find positive role models who look like you and embody the way you want to be and how you want to live. Trust me, they’re out there in abundance.

 

  • Racist situations can be teaching opportunities: If people you encounter in everyday life say inappropriate or racist things, call it what it is . . . politely and in a nonviolent way. Safety is the priority, no matter what feelings get riled up in the heat of the moment. This is a time to show others the way to confront racism, so take advantage of it. Take emotions out of it, and just call it by name and say why it is wrong, but be safe.

 

  • Take care of yourself: The endless race and culture debate, whether experienced first-hand in a spirited discussion with colleagues or through the media, can bring a kind of fatigue or numbness. When this occurs, in your personal life or out in the world, make sure to take some time out for yourself to reflect and heal.

 

  • Be prepared to talk about the bad days as well as the good: Talk about racism, the legacy of slavery and other uncomfortable things, and in the process, you will educate others, both on the progress that has been made and how we still have to move forward. Truth is truth.

 

How has your race, ethnicity and/or nationality informed who you are? Share your stories with us on any of our social media platforms, in person at a Conscious Connections meeting, or simply hop down to the comments below!

Take Action

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Are you miserable? You should change that. How about today? Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Grace Cheng shows you how.

 

Do you sometimes feel trapped in life and feel everyone is moving ahead except for you?

 

A lot of us feel unhappy or frustrated and think we have no control over our lives. But we do have the power to change our lives by simply putting our thoughts into action. 

 

The hardest part of converting our thoughts into action is taking the first step. Sometimes we do not want to take the first step because we fear failing. We need to be more bold and courageous to step out of our comfort zone and see changes happen in our lives. If we do not take action, nothing will change. We will wonder why we are still facing the same situation 10 or 20 years from now and feel even more miserable. We are responsible for our lives, and no one can walk our lives for us. We are the only ones who can change things for ourselves, so take action today.

 

I have discovered eight ways to turn thoughts into action and transform lives to find fulfillment and happiness.

 

  1. Don’t overthink with negativity

 

I think we have all been there, stuck in a situation, going in circles, paralyzed with fear and frustrations. It is very unproductive and toxic to constantly overthink. We can replace our negative thoughts with positive thoughts that will bring more joy, peace and self-love in our lives. Dream about all of the wonderful things that can happen in your life and keep those thoughts. We can create freedom for ourselves when we are in a happier state of life.

 

  1. Don’t allow past failures to hold you back

 

Just because you might have failed in the past does not mean that you will fail again and things will not work out next time. Don’t let your fear or past failure put you off of doing something that you want to do. Fear can victimize us and stop us from seeking true happiness, keeping us feeling trapped. It is important to remember that there is always an opportunity for a new beginning. Every opportunity can be a wonderful and unique experience, and is only available to you, not somebody else.

 

  1. Don’t wait for a perfect time to do things

 

If we wait for a perfect time to do things and want everything to turn out perfectly, we only create unnecessary stress for ourselves. We end up paralyzing ourselves, holding ourselves back from reaching our goals and dreams. Aiming for perfection is simply not realistic and not practical. It is not a smart move and only hinders us from moving ahead.

 

  1. Your life view can become self-fulfilling prophecy

 

There is a saying that our outlook will determine the way we live, so make sure you have a positive view of life. Your mind is a powerful tool, and shapes whether you see life negatively or positively. Positive self-talk can empower us to achieve our dream lives. This self-talk can also help us to remain calm and positive, which will make our life journey easier to walk.

 

  1. Set realistic life goals and dreams

 

It is important that we don’t make unrealistic life goals and set the bar too high for ourselves. Setting standards too high can lead to a stressful life, with constant disappointments and frustrations. When you want to set achievable, realistic goals, you can simply start with an honest examination of your life work from there toward the directions that you want to take. If it is too difficult to reach a few goals, then start with just one goal at a time so that you can have control and not get discouraged.

 

  1. Don’t be enslaved to social standards

 

Many of us live our lives following societal standards, or expectations from our family and friends. We are suffering inside because we feel trapped living up to their expectations. But you have a choice to stand up for yourself and take full control over your life by doing things that make you happy, rather than blindly following the social norms. There is a chance that you will find friends and family who don’t accept or understand the direction or path of your life, but that is ok. You will eventually find other people who will understand you and form some meaningful friendships and connections. More importantly, you will blaze a happier and more fulfilling life.

 

  1. Learn how to say no to people

 

Sometimes it is hard to say no to others, especially to those who are close to us, like our family members, because we feel obligated to help them. If we say yes to people all the time, we will stress ourselves out and eventually feel burned out. It can be dangerous if we are constantly filling our lives doing work for others and neglecting self-care. The next time someone asks you to do something, pause for a moment before saying yes and analyze whether it is meeting your life’s purpose.

 

  1. Follow your passion and pursue a fulfilling life

 

There is no other person who knows you better than yourself, so it is up to you to make decisions and choices for the direction of your life. Following your passions will give you a great sense of purpose, and your dreams and goals can become a reality.

 

If you are not taking any action to make changes today, chances are you will remain facing the same situation and feeling trapped. You do have the power to take control over your life, by taking actionable steps to regain control and create freedom for your life, and improve your physical, emotional and mental well-being. You can identify which area of your life is holding you back and use the above-recommended advice to overcome your challenges and turn your life around.

What new and exciting directions do you want to take with your life? Let us know in the comments below, or join our community and see what everybody else at Low Entropy is up to as well!

Just Uncomfortable

Posted on by andrew

Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Ellie Gibbard sends a message to men about accountability and how to be an effective bystander for violence and harassment against women.

 

Following the tragic death of a young woman in the U.K. by the name of Sarah Everard, the floodgates around women’s rights and safety seemed to fly open. This tragedy, sparking an uncomfortable conversation about the lack of perceived safety women have, forced many to confront their own behaviour and lack of intervention. 

 

As a woman myself, this case and discussion resonated a lot with me. For this blog, I will be speaking on this issue from a white woman’s perspective and my personal experience. It is important to note that, along with women, most visible minorities, including BIPOC, transgender people and others, experience the feeling of unsafety that I will be referencing on a regular basis. The fact that people are walking around feeling afraid to exist because of who they are, how they look or how they identify is a massive issue in the world today. I encourage those who are reading, especially those who have any privilege, to seek further education on these matters and learn how to use their privilege to be an ally for those who may be suffering.

 

I love being a woman and often find it very empowering. But, with years of being objectified by the media, stereotyped in the professional world and discredited in many other areas of life, being a woman comes with many challenges as well. Concerning my personal safety as a woman, there are several techniques I have learned in order to feel safe in my everyday life. Examples of these could be faking phone calls when I walk anywhere alone, keeping my keys in my hands in case I need to protect myself or constantly showing that I’m alert by keeping my head on a swivel and my hood down. Hearing about the case in the U.K. was especially disheartening because Sarah had practiced what she knew to protect herself: she was walking in broad daylight, wearing bright clothes and was on the phone with her boyfriend. On top of all that, her assailant was a police officer. This devastating case seemed to singlehandedly dismantle the methods I thought I had to stay safe. Hearing about this, along with the fact that one of my best friends – who, growing up, had taught me about consent and how to protect myself – was raped, led me to take bystander intervention training through my university. I will now share some of what I learned, but again, I encourage those who are reading to seek out similar training and resources.

 

Although I believe that the information that I learned and will discuss today is important for everyone, this information will be directed at men specifically. Despite the comment that “not all men” are responsible for sexual harassment and sexualized violence, when one out of 10 of them are the problem and the other nine do nothing, they are all part of the problem. And maybe “not all men” contribute to the system that enables sexual harassment and violence against women, but 97% of women aged 18-24 have a story. 97%. I hope that percentage grabs your attention like it did mine. This is not the only shocking statistic of its kind, and if you are still struggling to understand the severity of the situation, I encourage you to follow the links posted below this article. 

 

As Brené Brown puts it, “Violence starts with dehumanization. Dehumanization starts with language.” Being accountable starts with language too, and leads me to my first point on being an effective male bystander. Exchanged words and conversations between friends and male counterparts may not be considered harmful if they’re excused as jokes or banter. This is a common oversight, and shutting these comments down is the first step in preventing acts of sexualized violence towards women. If you hear a friend or anyone you know making a “joke” or comment of a violent or misogynistic nature, shut it down. Yes, it will be uncomfortable, and you may get pushback, but this is simply an awkward moment that may save a woman from being in an unsafe situation with this person later. If someone feels reinforcement behind their dehumanizing comments, what will stop them from committing physical acts of dehumanization? Step out of your comfort zone and start calling out the behaviour that upholds rape culture by holding yourself and your friends accountable. Complacency is lethal. 

 

Beyond that, if you are a witness to someone saying things or behaving in violent or misogynistic ways toward another, step in. Acknowledge that what is probably preventing you as a man from intervening is that you are feeling uncomfortable, not unsafe. Use one of the four D’s: Direct, Distract, Delegate, Delay. Being direct means identifying and calling out the inappropriate behaviour or speech, and subsequently de-escalating violent language that could turn physical. Distract the person away from the situation so that the target can safely remove themselves. If for some reason you know with certainty that you are unsafe to personally intervene, delegate the role of intervening to someone who can safely do so. Finally, delay refers to the support you provide to someone who you know has gone through a violent situation and what you do to follow up with them. Offering support to survivors is imperative to changing a system that is set up to silence and invalidate them.

 

Discussions like this one are just the beginning to what I hope is the turning point for women’s safety and protection against sexualized violence. I can’t place enough emphasis on how important it is to continue educating ourselves: read the statistics, take the training, hold yourself accountable and implement what you learn. My heart goes out to Sarah’s family and her tragic passing will remain with me, as I’m sure it will for many others, for years to come. 

 

https://www.chatelaine.com/living/sarah-everard/

https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/sexual-assault-harassment/

https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/gender-based-violence/

Healing Scars

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Reflecting on the past shed light on Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Niklas Chiang’s persistent fear of failure. With this insight, Niklas was able to start mending wounds, both old and new.

 

I recently started a new job, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I was scrolling through a job posting website when I came across a posting where the company was looking to expand and hire more behavioural interventionists (BI). A BI works under an applied behavioural analysis (ABA) therapist to implement programs to help children with autism develop social, cognitive, and fine and gross motor skills. I had just graduated from university and was looking to gain experience in both physical and occupational therapy. This job seemed perfect to gain experience in developing and implementing programs that I might one day use if I were to become an occupational therapist. I applied, got an interview, then received the BI position.

 

Since I did not have a background in psychology, I knew I would have to work a little harder to understand what the ABA therapist was saying and demonstrating. The sessions were not always easy to follow because there was so much to observe, and so little time to process everything. I decided to take notes instead, and reflect on the sessions when I got home. This continued for about a month before the therapist decided I was ready to handle my first 1:1 session with the child. When that day came, I woke up nervous but optimistic, excited and terrified. When it was time to start my session, I tried to apply all the techniques the ABA therapist taught me. In the end, the session did not follow the plan I had in mind, but the child made some improvements, so I was content. I talked about the experience the following day to my supervisor. She was thrilled to hear about the session and decided I was ready to learn more.

 

For the next few weeks, we worked together again, and just like before, we worked on many different areas. I took notes, went home to reflect on them, then tried to implement my learnings in the following session. Just like before, she believed in me after a few sessions of working together, so she scheduled another 1:1 session for me. This time, nothing felt right. The session was difficult because every attempt I made to teach the child was met with resistance. By the end of the session, I felt like a complete failure. I didn’t teach the skills I wanted to, and believed the next session would go even worse. This failure stuck with me in my head. My internal voice started ringing in my brain. It told me how much of a failure and a useless BI I was, and that the therapist would reprimand me for the poor session I had. I quickly became emotionally distraught and defeated. I wanted to go home and think about how I had failed to do my job correctly. I didn’t want to do anything else except remind myself of my mistakes.

 

As I was walking back to my car, I asked myself why I had such an intense reaction. My reactions were not new to me. I had always reacted to failure poorly, but never understood why. Only one memory stood out to me. I was in grade four and had my very first provincial exam. There were two sections: reading and comprehension, and math. Both sections were difficult, but reading and comprehension was much harder. When I got back my results, I saw that I had failed the comprehension portion of the exam. I told my parents that night, and was reprimanded for my poor performance. My parents could not believe the score I got, and as punishment, I had to rewrite my essay from the exam. I rewrote it a first time, showed my parents, got reprimanded, and was told to write it again. I rewrote it a second time, showed my parents, got reprimanded, and was told to write it again. It wasn’t until after the fourth or fifth try that they deemed the quality acceptable enough for me to stop. After each of my failures, not only was I scolded by my parents, I felt humiliated and left with more tears running down my eyes.

 

Although this happened many years ago, I still felt that humiliation when I thought about it. It was not until I took a moment to reflect that I started to see why my response to failure was exaggerated and detrimental. Every time I brought a new essay to my parents, I was met with criticism, which lowered my self-esteem and confidence. In psychology, this is termed “positive punishment” (McLeod, 2018). B.F. Skinner, the founder of operant conditioning, believed that behaviours can be modified based on whether they are met with reward or punishment

(McLeod, 2018). Pleasant rewards will reinforce behaviour, while unpleasant stimulus will

reduce behaviour (McLeod, 2018). There are four categories: positive and negative

reinforcement, and positive and negative punishment (Ackerman, 2020). It is important to highlight that punishment does not mean physical punishment, but anything that is unpleasant. In my situation, my parents unknowingly engaged in positive punishment. They introduced an unpleasant punishment (reprimanding me), which functioned to decrease my willingness to participate in a second attempt. The result? Failure-avoidant behaviour to prevent the humiliating experience from happening again.

 

So how did I overcome my failed session? I took a moment to reflect on it. Instead of letting the failures control and humiliate me, I decided to take control instead. I thought back to my mistakes and identified how I could improve for the next session. That shifted my perspective from seeing my session as a failure, to a session with many opportunities. I am not defined by my first attempt, nor necessarily my second attempt. I am defined by my ability to keep moving forward and improving in spite of my failures. I am trying to redefine my situation so I don’t have to live with this fear anymore. While my experience may not be unique or profound, it did help me understand a critical period of my life where failure left a scar I never let heal. I have a long journey ahead of me to overcome my fear of failure, but each step I take is a step in the right direction.

 

References

 

Mcleod, S. (2018, January 21). What is operant conditioning and how does it work? Retrieved

March 29, 2021, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html

 

Ackerman, C. (2020, October 17). 12 Examples of Positive Punishment & Negative Reinforcement Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://positivepsychology.com/positive-punishment/

How have you been shaped by your past? Share your stories with Low Entropy by joining one of our Conscious Connections meetings or creating an account with our Low Entropy Community social network!

Lessons from New Grad: Why you should try less

Posted on by andrew

Hello, my name is Hayley Chan, and I am a recent Criminology graduate of Western University. As a passionate advocate of . . .

Hey. My name is Hayley and I’ve been painstakingly Ctrl- C-ing & Ctrl -V- ing the same intro sentence across 71 different cover letters since September of 2020. 

As productive as this process seemed, it was truly just plain – painful. Painful when that hopeful Indeed job posting says they’re just looking for a new grad with excellent communication and interpersonal skills – and of course that great work ethic – only for me to later discover that the position was filled by the first female rocket scientist to ever walk on Mars.

What were my next steps, you ask? Before I get into that, it’s worth mentioning what I wish this article was actually about. I wish this article was about how to keep persevering, how to get the job over that women’s rights public speaker/rocket scientist – yes, my imaginary competitor is also an eloquent activist for feminism.

And yes, I almost always pushed through. I’d get up the next day. Make my schedule. Do my company research. Send numerous LinkedIn invitations.

Seems like I had it all together right? After all, failure is a part of the process. 

Well, that’s what I was hoping. 

But this process didn’t work for me. I was trying so hard when I should have been trying less. 

In my opinion, as we progress through the 21st century, it’s actually getting harder and harder to just “try less.” We live in a nine-to-five, workaholic, productivity-to-the-max culture.

Moreover, thanks to Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram, we are constantly bombarded with images of this lifestyle, which have become measures for normative success; it’s hard to not compare oneself to what we see on social media both consciously and subconsciously. And it’s harder to not care about how you measure up to others, and what others think about you in this respect.

This was especially true during such a monumental time in my life – post-grad. I was surrounded by people, virtually and in real life, who were jump-starting their careers, making my criminology degree feel slightly . . . useless? 

So when September came, I spent four months learning how to network and tailored polished resumes and cover letters for general business roles.   

Based on my actions, it would appear as though I cared about the field of human resources or general business administration. Wrong. 

I just cared about how I appeared. 

With each new cover letter, I was trying to convince not only the hiring managers, but also myself of my interest in the job. And I think at some point, I started to actually believe I was passionate about recruitment cycles and process improvement.   

I truly wanted to enjoy the journey because I desperately craved the end result – validation, money, prestige. 

But as stated by Mark Manson in the subtle art of not giving a f***,

What determines your success isn’t “What do you want to enjoy?” The relevant question is, “What pain do you want to sustain?”

The success of getting a full-time job in HR or in general business roles and making my first yearly salary sounded ideal. 

But when it came down to it, this end goal did not justify slaving over these job applications every day for four months – applications where I spent copious amounts of time tediously stretching my experiences to fit the job requirements. It also didn’t even justify furthering my education in those fields. These pains were genuinely not worth my time and energy, because my goals were entirely created and driven by how I wanted others to perceive me. I got so caught up in my quarter-life post-grad crisis, frantically applying to jobs from a state of urgency, where my efforts anxiously screamed, “What do I even want to do with my life?!” without actually taking the time to properly answer that question. 

It was like being newly single. You’re not too sure about what you want, and you may be kind of emotionally unavailable, but you pursue relationships that aren’t good for you or the other person. Why bother, or hurt yourself, when you could be taking that time and energy taking a break and doings you love? 

We often try jumping into things without premeditation, and we hold on so hard to how we want things to be, because these ideas supposedly measure our worth, rather than accept simple truths like:

It’s okay to be unsure.  

It’s okay if things don’t work out.

It’s okay to not have everything figured out.

It’s okay to pause, and just do what you can with what you have. 

When I stopped focusing my efforts on what I didn’t want, I was able to think more about what I actually wanted. I started receiving more responses, creating job applications more easily, and feeling more satisfied with my progress. I no longer cared about what other people thought, because I was focused on achieving a goal that would be worth my time, energy, and satisfaction in the long run. Barriers, obstacles, and failure still existed, but caring less about what others thought and caring more about what I wanted made that pain much easier to sustain. 

I’m not saying don’t reach for the stars. Just take it easy. Keep your feet on the ground and head out of the clouds – and stay off of that rocket scientist, feminist activist’s LinkedIn profile.

What’s truly worth your time? Comment below or join one of our many Low Entropy meet-ups to share your life priorities and passions with us.

Changing Careers: The Bright Side!

Posted on by andrew

When you’re stuck in the drudgery of a job you don’t like for long enough, the status quo can feel like a shadow cast from a monumental, immovable obstacle. Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Blaine Hancock, however, reminds us that if we’re willing to charge in a different direction, brighter days might be just around the corner.

 

Changing careers can be an incredibly frightening process. Leaving a career you dislike to pursue a different path can be difficult to even consider. Why leave a consistent paycheque? Why leave a career you’ve dedicated years of your life to? Why leave a job you worked so hard to get? Taking a big step away from all that you have known is never easy.

 

Well, I’m here to tell you that, though there are a few scary things about leaving a career, there are also MANY good reasons to change or consider changing careers! You will feel a renewed sense of ambition, you may reconnect with old passions you left in the dust, and much more! Hooray for the bright side! Let’s take a closer look at some positives that can come from a career change.

 

Renewed Ambition

 

After working at a job for an extended period of time, especially if it’s a job you’re not particularly fond of, you often lose your sense of motivation and struggle to pull yourself out of a monotonous routine. Once you take the step of deciding to change careers, you will feel an enormous sense of renewed ambition and drive. You will be more motivated than ever to figure out your next path. This ambition and drive will also translate to many parts of your life you have been neglecting or pushing aside. Use this ambition to create the best version of yourself.

 

Explore New Paths

 

Of course, the most obvious positive that can come from a career change is the ability to explore new career paths. Although the amount of options to consider may feel overwhelming at first, you will quickly realize that it can be so much fun to look into the next chapter of your life! Do you look for a career in a similar field? Do you do a complete 180 and change your career aspirations entirely? Do you go back to university or take a free online class? The world is your oyster!

 

Reconnect with Old Passions

 

When we change careers, we often reflect on our past and what we did, or didn’t do, to reach our current position in life. This reflection can help us remember certain pursuits and activities we used to like, but ended up temporarily kicking to the curb to pursue our current career. Reconnecting with these old passions will help you to recognize that you have way more interests than just the ones you’re pursuing currently. Furthermore, it will help you to realize that there are other career options that might be a perfect fit for you.

 

Reevaluate Your Mental Health

 

One interesting positive that can come from a career change is a reevaluation of your mental health. While working in a career you dislike, you often don’t fully realize the negative effects it can have on your mental health. Stepping away will give you more time to reevaluate how you are doing and figure out the best way to rejuvenate your mental well-being. Also, this gives you an opportunity to think about switching to a career that’s better for your mental health, or at least think about how you can better handle your mental health while working.

 

After reading this blog, you still might be hesitant and afraid to change careers or consider changing careers. That’s totally okay and understandable: it’s not an easy decision. But don’t forget, there are just as many positive reasons for a career change as there are scary ones. Remember to look on the bright side!

 

Have you made a big career change in your life? Tell us about your decision and how it’s turning out in the comments or in person with a Low Entropy discussion group!

What I’ve Found While Searching for a Job

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Unemployment is not only a source of rejection and self-doubt for many – it can also impact your very livelihood. With persistent optimism, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Catherine Pulgar shows us how she is navigating this difficult period in her own life.

The job search is so challenging, especially if you are a recent graduate. In my own experience, every time I read job posting – even an entry-level one – I doubt myself. “Am I qualified? Look at all the skills and experience they require…” 

I’m still working at it, as I’ve been searching for a marketing position since late July. Some days are better than others, due to the financial problems that come with being unemployed. However, job searching in itself has been an opportunity to learn skills. I’ve developed an increasingly calm approach to my job search, by reminding myself that I’ve been applying my skills in other valuable ways, including volunteering for two organizations.

But being grateful and cheerful in this situation can be challenging. For example, I had a fantastic interview a few weeks ago, but received an email later saying they moved forward with another candidate. It was disheartening and discouraging. However, I’ve found I must honour the emotions that come with these vulnerable experiences. This was not my first rejection, and I have been learning constructive ways to overcome the sad, angry or hopeless feelings that can arise in situations like this. 

Each person has their own way of handling rejection. It’s easier for some than others. In my case, since starting my job search journey, I have come up with ways to deal with the stress and its impact on my mental health.

  • Writing a Reflection Diary: This is a great technique where I write out my daily accomplishments, challenges, or tips for things that I may want to improve. I write at least three phrases almost every day about things in my life that I am grateful for. It helps me stay positive, just remembering the bright side of things, and that we can always find something positive, even in the most stressful moments!
  • Working Out: Even though I’m not a fanatic about working out every day, it is an excellent endorphin source that helps me clear my mind, relax and reach internal peace.
  • Meditating: Sometimes I practice meditation and yoga, because I feel these two activities are a great way to release stress and balance my body.

Still, during this time, I struggle with rejection. But I have also come across amazing people while on my job search path. People who have offered me advice, support and comfort. My partner Victor told me, “If you do not have this or that skill, study and master it.” Thanks to him and others, I have cultivated my perseverance to keep studying and learning. 

Remember that if you do not have a skill or experience, do not feel bad. Every person started from scratch until they became masters in their field.

Do you have any tips on how to handle the emotional toll that unemployment can bring? Your experiences and advice could make a big difference in someone’s journey – share them in the comments section, or at a Low Entropy meeting.

It’s (Still) a Wonderful Life

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It’s free, priceless, and good for the soul: this festive season, Low Entropy Volunteer Writer Catherine Pulgar reminds us to give ourselves the gift of gratitude.

Christmas Christmas!!!

 I know that I am not the only one eagerly anticipating the most beautiful time of the year. At least for me, Christmas represents love, family, and friendship. I know 2020 has been a challenging year, nowhere near the one we all hoped for in the final minutes of 2019. However, Christmas has always been a perfect moment to reflect on the past year and remind ourselves to feel gratitude.  

I’m grateful that my family is safe and healthy in a year such as this. Even though they live in another country and won’t be travelling to visit me in Canada anytime soon, I’m just happy we will have time together in the years to come. 

Christmas is the most memorable season for me. Since I was a little girl, I remember my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins gathering together to celebrate the season. I grew up playing with my cousins and waiting for Santa Claus every December 24th. Sadly, for the past six years, we have not been able to keep this tradition. Due to political problems in our home country of Venezuela, most of my family emigrated across the globe, to places like the U.S., Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Europe. I know how difficult it is to celebrate holidays alone or differently. 

This year Christmas looks different for everybody due to the current world situation, but this will not be forever. A new year is coming full of unique moments. My message to every person reading this post is to stay safe this holiday: it may look different or be more uncomfortable than previous years, but it will not remain this way. New Christmases will come, full of family and friends, and with a lot of food and eggnog.

In my case, I’m working to set up everything I need to have a tremendous Christmas. I’m planning a Zoom meeting with my family, I’m buying ingredients to prepare my traditional food, and I’m grateful that I’m healthy enough to do this with them. 

I hope that you have a fantastic Christmas season.

If you find yourself struggling this time of year, here are some coping strategies, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to individuals and organizations who can offer you emotional support.

From all of us here at Low Entropy, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a brilliant new year.

You create your reality

Posted on by dev_team

Yesterday after my kid’s soccer practice, I took my 7-year old son to get a haircut. On the drive home, my son starts whining, complaining about his haircut, my 5-year old daughter is sitting beside him and she starts crying because my son won’t stop whining. Next, my son decides to hit his sister and she cries even louder. This goes on for a good five minutes, at this point my son starts screaming at the top of his lungs… I feel my frustration turn into anger, I want to yell at the kids and tell them to “Shuuuut-up!” but instead I breathe… focus on THEIR feelings and I make it about them. I shift my perception and take my attention off of how I’m feeling, I stop thinking about how I want them to behave and instead I put my attention on them, focus on how THEY feel and I look at how I can HELP them.

Rather than going into an old stimulus and response pattern, I CHOSE to interrupt the pattern and respond with Love. Much easier said than done, this has been my intention for many years, and it is finally sinking into the being level. It took a while for this intellectual concept to fully integrate into who I really am at the core, but it was well worth the effort. The intention to be better, to improve and to grow as a person is slowly starting to manifest and I’m very happy with the results.

Rather than reacting to the kids, I chose to visualize my son’s consciousness as a ball of white light and I directed compassion and acceptance towards his consciousness… and guess what? He stopped screaming, calmed down and my kids enjoyed the rest of the car ride home.
Moral of the story? It’s not about changing others… It all comes down to YOU and how you CHOOSE to respond to the situation. One of my favorite quotes from Wayne Dyer is this: “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” I witnessed this firsthand in our car ride home.

We create our reality, we get to choose the movie we immerse ourselves in for a lifetime. What is the title of your movie? Some might unconsciously choose to experience “Hardship and Pain” but once we know that we have the power to change the movie, we can put on “Happiness and Joy.” The characters may remain the same, the plot may shift a little, but the genre completely changes from horror to inspiration, drama to comedy. Everything feels a lot “lighter” life becomes much better; people, places and events all come together in a kind of magical way.

So next time you find yourself in a car with whining kids, or in an argument with your spouse, a disagreement with your boss/colleague/friend, or any type of situation that you wish were different, just remember; you are the director of your movie, what type of film are you choosing to produce?