Not Just Me: Finding Myself Beyond Anxiety and Depression

“We’re told to ‘stay in the present,’ but what do you do when the present feels like it’s crushing you?” This space at  Not Just Me  is dedicated to exploring how we move beyond the isolation of these conditions. This post explores how we can bridge that gap through  integration  and  Mind Body Wellness . Not Just Me : Finding Myself Beyond Anxiety and Depression https://notjustmeproject.blogspot.com/ The Glitch in the Clock: Understanding Time Dilation In the modern wellness landscape, the "present moment" is sold as a sanctuary. We are bombarded with messages telling us that if we could just stop dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, we would find an immediate, crystalline peace. But for those of us navigating the halls of high-functioning anxiety, the present often feels less like a sanctuary and more like a high-velocity flood. Have you ever noticed that during a moment of intense stress or a panic spike, time seems to warp? Suddenly, the c...

 “Trying to think positive during a panic attack is like trying to paint a house while it’s currently on fire.” The Affirmation Trap We have all been given the same well-meaning advice when we are spiraling: "Just try to think of something happy," or "Focus on the positive." In the wellness industry, we are flooded with "Good Vibes Only" mantras and morning affirmations designed to "reprogram" our minds. But if you have ever tried to recite a mantra while your heart was hammering against your ribs and your breath was caught in your throat, you know the truth: It feels like a lie. In fact, forcing positive thoughts over a panicked body often makes anxiety worse . It creates a secondary layer of shame—now you’re not just anxious; you’re also "failing" at being positive. At Not Just Me , we’re looking at the biological reason why your brain refuses to listen to your "good vibes" when you’re in the thick of it. Anxiety isn’t a ...

 “Failure tells you that you didn't succeed yet . Comparison tells you that you aren't enough .” The Rigged Race: Why Failure Isn't the Real Enemy We are conditioned from a young age to fear failure. We see it as a dead end, a sign of inadequacy, or a mark of shame. But in the world of mental health and nervous system regulation, failure is actually quite manageable. Failure is a discrete event; it provides data, offers a chance to pivot, and eventually, the sting fades. The real driver of chronic, high-level anxiety—the kind that keeps you awake at 3:00 AM—is Comparison . Comparison is a rigged game because you are inevitably measuring your "behind-the-scenes" footage against everyone else’s "highlight reel." When you fail, you lose a round. When you compare, you lose your sense of self. This space, Not Just Me , is where we look at the hidden reasons why looking at someone else’s lane makes your own feel so much harder to run in. Failure teaches. Compa...

   The Crisis Brain: When Priorities Flatten We’ve all been there: You wake up, and before your feet even hit the floor, your heart is pounding. A half-empty milk carton in the fridge, an unreturned text from three days ago, and a looming work deadline all feel equally catastrophic. This is the state of False Urgency . It is a specific psychological phenomenon where anxiety strips away your ability to prioritize. In this state, your brain loses the nuance between a "task" and a "crisis." Everything becomes a five-alarm fire, and your only instinct is to sprint until the smoke clears. But here is the secret: the smoke isn't coming from your life; it’s coming from your nervous system. When the amygdala hijacks your logic, every task feels like a life-or-death emergency. This is the "False Urgency" trap. This space at  Not Just Me  is dedicated to exploring how we move beyond the isolation of these conditions. This post explores how we can bridge that ga...

  The Void: When Depression Isn't Sad Emotional numbness is one of the most misunderstood symptoms of depression. We are conditioned to believe that depression is a loud, visible grief—an endless well of tears. However, for many of us, it feels like a quiet, hollow disconnection. It isn't always the presence of pain; it is the absence of everything. Most people don't realize that depression isn’t always sadness. Sometimes it feels like emptiness. This space, Not Just Me , is where we explore the hidden psychological layers of these experiences. This post promises a vital perspective shift: your numbness is not a sign that you are "broken" or "heartless." It is a sign that your system is doing exactly what it was designed to do—protect you. Emotional Numbness: The protective ice of the soul. This space at  Not Just Me  is dedicated to exploring how we move beyond the isolation of these conditions. This post explores how we can bridge that gap through  i...

The Friction of Stillness Anxiety and rest are often in a silent, exhausting tug-of-war. I used to believe that my inability to relax was simply a "Type A" personality trait or a high work ethic. However, I eventually realized that my brain was treating stillness as a vulnerability. For some people, the nervous system connects safety with constant movement. When you stop, your protective layers of "doing" disappear, leaving the nervous system feeling exposed. Thoughts get louder. The silence feels heavy. This space, Not Just Me , is where we explore why learning safe rest slowly retrains the brain that stillness is not danger. This post promises a path toward integration: moving from a life of constant survival to one of regulated peace. “Do you feel uneasy when you finally slow down?”  Learning to Rest: Why stillness is the ultimate act of courage. This space at  Not Just Me  is dedicated to exploring how we move beyond the isolation of these conditions. This pos...