Mental Health.

A controversial subject. Still taboo in many communities.

Fortunately, more people are starting to actively seek different forms of therapy and healing.

In my case, it was shortly after my 28th birthday. A friend was seeing an alternative therapist and highly recommended her. I felt fine at the time yet I’d recently undergone a rather difficult period, so I decided to give it a try.

It helped at the very start, yet as time passed her approach no longer worked with me. She simply wasn’t the right fit, so I stopped therapy altogether for a couple of months.

…

Humans are wonderfully complex beings.

Our intellectual abilities set us apart from other species as we’re driven by reason and logic; wired to overanalyze and constantly question our surroundings.

In most of what we do, we seek certainty, stability, and permanence. Yet we fail to remember that this is essentially impossible, for everything is temporary.

Especially our lives.

No struck of luck, heartfelt prayer, or inner healing process will ever spare our bodies from perishing.

However, when it comes to death, our mind does its best to forget the inevitability of this event.

A series of studies have been conducted…

And I’m forever grateful.

“I’m not going to be around forever to protect you, so I need you to be strong and independent.”

I was 6 years old the first time my father said this to me.

He was truly one of a kind. I don’t think I’ll ever encounter someone as distinct as him, and I’m sure most people have a similar opinion of him.

He had a unique view on life, an unusual personality, and an unconventional life story pulled straight out of a novel.

As a Muslim Arab, he was raised in a particularly conservative place. An…

I don’t like using the word toxic. Especially when it comes to describing other human beings.

Today, pretty much anything can be designated as “toxic.” — a word that is carelessly thrown around whenever we are angered or feel threatened by anything external to us.

Everywhere we go, people talk about toxic relationships, toxic people, toxic behaviors, toxic jobs. I was at a bookstore yesterday; as I briefly browsed the “trending” section, I saw around six covers regarding this subject.

But what does being toxic really mean?

According to WebMD:

“A toxic person is anyone whose behavior adds negativity and…

“Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known.” — Chuck Palahniuk

This quote completely resonates with me.

Indeed, nothing is original.

We’ve inherited everything that defines us as individuals. Our genetic makeup determines a great deal of who we are; the rest deriving from our interactions with others and our environment. Yet the combination of these traits is what makes each person unique.

I like to think of people as unfinished art pieces, each characterized by its very own mix of colors, shapes, and textures.

Composed by the bits and pieces people leave…

Seven lifesaving aspects

The first half of 2020 was particularly dull and difficult. I’m sure many can relate to this.

The sudden lockdown forced me to finally address a build-up of unaddressed past trauma, deeply repressed issues, and long-overdue grief; hence a breakdown was inevitable. Additionally, I had to deal with a range of issues and the demise of a relationship.

However, things began getting better as the summer progressed. For the first time in years, I was able to spend proper quality time with my family.

Despite being infected, my experience was very mild, and I thank God for…

Thursday has always been orange. Number 5 has always been green. 2009 was dark red. The days of the week are ordered in an inverted semi-circle with the weekend on the flat line.

For as long as I can remember, I have always perceived the world this way, assuming it was the same for everyone. I remember as a child nonchalantly mentioning this to my parents, yet they didn’t seem to think much of it.

It wasn’t until my mid-teens that I learned that this fairly unusual condition is called Synesthesia.

According to LiveScience,

Synesthesia is a neurological condition that…

I dislike labels. I find them restricting and judgemental.

As an open-minded individual, I welcome a diversity of people into my life believing we can all contribute to the well-being of others. I’m aware that we all have flaws. Despite my possible differences with others, I accept most people as they are.

However, this doesn’t mean I’ll stick around people who display repetitive behaviors that somehow emotionally or psychologically harm me.

Plenty can be learned by observing other’s responses to external factors. Their behavior once their guard is down, what they say about others, their attitude towards life, how they…