Get ready for a dose of raw inspiration as we dive into Episode 4 of It’s All Wellness. Today, we’re joined by Emily Vandenberg, a remarkable teacher, and author of “A Broken Society.” Emily shares her powerful story of overcoming a bipolar disorder diagnosis, navigating a broken society, and discovering an unconventional path to healing.

There are so many juicy lessons and learnings to contemplate from Emily’s journey, so let’s explore some of them now, together.

Self-Regulation: Understanding our beliefs, thoughts, and emotions to move ourselves to a better state of being.

Emily’s story speaks to her challenges with co-dependency that followed her throughout life leading to toxic relationships and serious highs and lows in her mental health, and the importance understanding the deeper root cause and cultivating self-reliance.

Understanding the “why” behind your challenges empowers you to address them more effectively. Rather than blaming people, circumstances or things in our environment for our pain, we can turn inward and question “what belief am I holding onto that this moment is triggering?

We have no ability to control anything outside of ourselves, including another’s opinions or behaviours. But when we question our own triggers, we have the ability to choose how we respond to those people, circumstances or things, and ultimately that is what determines out outcome.

We can nurture self-reliance by better understanding our belief systems, and consequently the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that arise from them. Which we explore in depth in this episode.

The Power of Vulnerability: Uncovering Our Shadows

Emily’s story reminds us of the strength in vulnerability. Crisis was her catalyst to change. By facing her mental health challenges head-on and embracing her shadows, she unlocked profound personal growth and healing. There’s strength in opening up and facing our shadows. Accepting our struggles paves the way for growth and self-awareness, leading to profound healing:

1. Acknowledge Your Pain: Recognize and accept the difficult emotions and experiences that have shaped your life. Whilst we all want to avoid pain, those experiences bring lessons for our spiritual growth. This self-awareness sets the stage for transformation.
2. Show Yourself Compassion: Embrace your shadows, they are part of the story that shapes the unique person you are today, even those perceived “flaws” that we often wish away, see them in their beauty. This self-acceptance nurtures wholeness and healing.
3. Change takes time. Celebrate every step forward and treat yourself with kindness, knowing that every new awareness contributes to your transformation. When you fall off the bandwagon, which you will, we all do, see it as the opportunity to experience the polarity of your past and preferred future to serve as motivated momentum to get back up, and keep practice the better state of being until it becomes the new normal.

Discovering Unconventional Paths to Healing: The Power of Personalized Wellness

Emily’s story illustrates the potential of finding healing through unconventional means:

1. Explore Alternative Modalities: Investigate various healing methods, such as meditation, energy work, or holistic therapies, to find what resonates with you.
2. Take Responsibility for Your Well-Being: Empower yourself to make informed choices and seek support that aligns with your values and beliefs.
3. Embrace Your Unique Journey: Remember that your path to healing may look different from others, and that’s perfectly okay. Trust your intuition and stay true to yourself.

Harnessing Neuroplasticity: Rewiring Our Emotional Habits

During the episode, we touched upon the fascinating concept of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt and change throughout life. This incredible quality allows us to form new connections and strengthen existing ones, fundamentally altering our emotional landscape.

Just like habits, our emotional states can become hardwired, making it easier to experience familiar feelings on autopilot. However, this also presents a powerful opportunity for transformation:

1. Conscious Practice: By consciously practicing more empowering emotions, we can reshape our neural pathways, making it easier to access positive emotional states over time.
2. Mindfulness: Developing a mindful awareness of our emotions enables us to recognize when we’re slipping into less desirable emotional patterns, giving us the chance to pivot and practice healthier responses.
3. Self-Compassion: Be patient and kind to yourself throughout this process. Neuroplasticity is a gradual, ongoing journey – every small step towards change makes a significant impact.

In essence, neuroplasticity empowers us to break free from hardwired emotional habits and cultivate a more positive, resilient mindset. By consciously practicing healthier emotional states and embracing self-awareness, we can create lasting change in our lives.

Emily’s incredible journey teaches us the power of vulnerability, self-awareness, and perseverance.

Remember, your story is a testament to your strength and resilience – never stop believing in your power to overcome adversity and create a life filled with purpose and joy.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this blog post and episode is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The experiences shared by our guest, Emily, are unique to her personal journey, and it is crucial to remember that each individual’s path to healing may look different.

It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding your mental health and wellness. Always empower yourself with your own research and understanding and seek the guidance of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your health or medical condition.

As we explore topics like bipolar disorder and unconventional therapies, we understand the importance of honouring each person’s unique journey. Please use your discretion when considering the information provided and ensure that any choices made are in alignment with your individual needs and circumstances.