As we navigate through the ups and downs of life, we all face challenges that can impact our mental and emotional well-being. From dealing with stress and anxiety to coping with grief and loss, our mental health is constantly being tested. In the midst of these struggles, one thing that can make a tremendous difference is speaking from the heart.
At its core, speaking from the heart means expressing ourselves in an authentic, heartfelt manner. It involves tapping into our deepest emotions and values and communicating them with clarity and conviction. When we speak from the heart, we not only connect with others on a deeper level, but we also connect with ourselves, gaining a greater understanding of our own thoughts and feelings.
In the context of mental health and personal growth, speaking from the heart can be a powerful tool for self-expression and healing. For example, if you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, speaking openly and honestly about your feelings with a trusted friend or mental health professional can help you gain insight into your own emotions and find effective coping strategies.
Expressing ourselves authentically can also be a key component of building and maintaining meaningful relationships. When we share our vulnerabilities, we create a space for others to do the same. This can foster deeper, more authentic connections with others, which can help us feel less alone and isolated in our struggles.
However, speaking from the heart can be challenging, particularly if we’re not used to expressing ourselves in this way. It can feel vulnerable and uncomfortable to share our innermost thoughts and feelings with others. That’s why it’s important to practice self-care and self-compassion and to seek support from trusted friends or mental health professionals if we need it.
Here are some tips for speaking from the heart:
1. Take time to reflect on your emotions and values. Before you can speak from the heart, you need to have a clear understanding of what’s important to you and what you’re feeling. Spend some time journaling or meditating to gain a deeper understanding of your own emotions and values.
2. Find a trusted listener. Speaking from the heart can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to expressing yourself in this way. Find someone you trust, such as a close friend or mental health professional, to share your thoughts and feelings with.
3. Practice active listening. Listening is just as important as speaking when it comes to speaking from the heart. When someone else is speaking, make sure to give them your full attention and actively listen to what they’re saying.
4. Be honest and authentic. Authenticity is key when it comes to speaking from the heart. Don’t try to sugarcoat your feelings or hide your true self. Speak your truth, even if it’s difficult.
5. Practice self-care and self-compassion. Speaking from the heart can be emotionally taxing, so it’s important to take care of yourself. Make sure to practice self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in activities that bring you joy. And don’t forget to be kind and compassionate to yourself, especially if speaking from the heart brings up difficult emotions.
In conclusion, speaking from the heart is a powerful tool for promoting mental health and personal growth. By tapping into our deepest emotions and values, and communicating them authentically, we can gain a greater understanding of ourselves and build more meaningful connections with others. If you’re struggling with mental health issues or just looking to deepen your connections with others, consider speaking from the heart as a way to promote healing and growth. Remember, when it comes to speaking from the heart, authenticity is key.
Twenty-twenty-two will always be a special year for me. It was a year of personal growth and challenge. There were times when I felt overwhelmed and unsure if I could handle everything that was thrown at me, but through it all, I felt God’s strength and support. This year pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to reevaluate my priorities. I also learned to appreciate the true value of friendships that were there for me during the tough times. As the year comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on some of my lessons.
my first cat, Oreo. Oreo was an all-black cat with a white birthmark on his body. Living on my own can be lonely, and Oreo helped brighten my mood and provided some emotional support. Unfortunately, my time with Oreo was cut short when he ran away. I was devastated and spent months searching for him, but eventually had to accept that he was gone. It was a tough experience, as I felt like a failure for not being able to keep my pet safe and happy. Oreo had
Sometime this year, I quit my job as a Digital Marketer and ventured into being a Travel Consultant. During my time in this new job, there were several warning signs that I chose to ignore because of the financial benefits. I was eager to improve my financial situation and wanted to be able to afford nice things and create a comfortable future for myself. For months, I tried to convince myself that my new job was because of my qualifications and work ethic but it wasn’t. The answer to my dilemma was black and white, the only reason I got that job was that my friend was the wife of the owner of the company. However, this new job ultimately brought out negative aspects of my personality and reopened old wounds related to bullying. It also became apparent that I was not valued or wanted within the company
The third experience that prompted me to change my approach to personal growth was a friendship that I considered to be very dear to me. Ivy (not her real name) and I had been friends off and on for years, and as someone who is anxious and prone to being clingy in my relationships, I truly cared for her. However, despite my feelings for her, our friendship was not enough for Ivy, and after months of reconnecting, she suddenly stopped communicating with me. I spent days lost in thought, trying to understand what I might have done wrong to cause the loss of this friendship. I began to question my ability to judge people and their intentions towards me, as I had experienced a significant number of lost friendships over the course of the year and had come to the conclusion that I was the problem. Losing friends can throw off your sense of balance and leave you feeling lonely.
In July, I became engaged to the love of my life. I used to underestimate the transformative power of love, but I have come to realize just how much it can change a person. I never thought that someone would find me worthy of love, as I have faced a series of rejections throughout my life. My partner’s acceptance and love for me was the greatest highlight of my year. He loves me with pure and genuine love and is gentle, compassionate, and caring. He is almost perfect in every way, and being with him makes me constantly feel high and in love. He is my forever source of joy and happiness.
Through these experiences, I have come to understand that life is always changing and we have the power to decide what we allow to affect us and what we need to let go of in order to lead a happy and stable life. I may not be where I thought I would be by the end of the year, but I am proud of myself for how I handled the challenges that came my way. I am proud that I never gave up on myself, even when everything seemed to be falling apart, and that I remained true to my values and beliefs. These highs and lows have made my twenty twenty-two an unforgettable year.
One area that I regret not focusing on more this year is my mental health. It is unfortunate that we often prioritize our physical well-being over our mental well-being, but our minds play a crucial role in our emotions and overall functioning. I found myself sinking into depression and no one around me seemed to notice. I am the type of person who puts on a facade for different situations, but behind closed doors, I was struggling and it almost consumed me. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to anyone about what was really causing my pain due to the stigma surrounding mental health issues. However, in twenty-twenty-three, I vow to make my mental health a top priority. I will seek counselling, take time for myself, and focus on healing. It is important to take care of our mental health not only for our own well-being but also because our mental state can have an impact on those around us.
Writing has always been a form of escape for me over the years. Without it, I tend to feel suffocated, lost and emotionally heavy. Over the years, my words have given me great solace whenever traumatic life situations posed a threat to my mental state.
hard work, re-filled my cup, loved on myself and am ready to pour my heart to you. Know more on, 
The month of November always brings me down. My past life haunts me and the memories of past pain during this month bring on anxiety. Although I have not fully healed from all the hurt, I am genuinely trying to move forward and become a better version of myself. It’s a bittersweet feeling because my birthday is also marked by the loss I have experienced. It’s not that I enjoy being unhappy, but I struggle with my birthday because my dad passed away on this day (may he rest in peace). My heart and mind are at odds with each other, with my heart wanting to mourn and my mind reminding me that he is in a better place now.
This November, I feel a sense of celebration within me. I want to turn my mourning into gratitude. Every time I faced challenges and walked alone, I know that He was with me. I want to celebrate the person I have become, the struggles and joys that brought me here, and the friends who supported me along the way (even if some of those relationships have ended).
As I looked deep into his eyes, they were distant and emotionless.
was a mandatory responsibility. The warmth that would make me feel loved was lost replaced with ice. The signs are evident, love no longer lives here, but my heart still holds on to you.
The burning desire that would make you touch my clothes like pages you wanted to turn and drown into a world of endless ecstasy is a distant memory. I crave your mouth and desire to eat your skin like a whole almond. So fierce is the desire to align and entwin our mouths, a raging forest fire.
I look back at the life that we shared, and immediately my heart feels an intense sense of longing. I remember when I said I wanted you to stay in my life because I couldn’t imagine living every day without you. I remember all the nights that we spent as if the world was ours as if we were the only two people in the world.
You will always be my favourite person to write about, the story told to the people I meet. You will always be someone who nursed my heart to life with an intense love that brought down all my walls.
I believe one day I will meet someone who will fill my life with so much happiness. And when that time comes, my heart will be ready to be claimed by someone who will be honoured to take care of it and complete it. I will be so happy in someone else’s arms that the pain I got from you will become irrelevant. I will see my reflection in someone’s eyes and be overwhelmed to realize that it feels just right. I will no longer have to doubt myself if I’m giving out too much love or too little of it because the love I’m sharing is coming back to me.
Harrowing memories flood her mind whenever she shuts her eyes. Images of pointing fingers laughing at her lingers from a distance bringing restlessness to her poor soul. Everyone around her expected perfection from her without consideration. The underlying presumptions about her reduced her life to somewhat meaningless and less worthwhile.
Her scars grow deeper with no one to hold her breaking soul and encourage her to try again. Did life come with a manual that her caregiver forgot to hand over?. Oh, how she wishes she had someone to tell her when this misery would end. Nothing ever made sense to her, broken beyond repair. The tears she cried every day did not give her solace anymore.
They say money is the source of all vices if used wrongly but it can also be a source of all comfort life can offer. You will need to cultivate discipline from within to ensure that your expenditure is not more than your disposable income or your savings are very minimal, balance is key. Here are some tips to help you learn how to strike a healthy balance:
WHY JOIN A SACCO?
A SACCO (Saving and Credit Cooperation Organization) is a platform formed by people with similar interests who come together to form a credit union. SACCOS is becoming increasingly popular at this time because members are able to save money, take loans and buy shares. The beauty is that once you start saving in a SACCO you cannot access this money anytime but can only access it through taking a loan or terminating your 
