Welcome to a love letter, a monthly publication from artist, writer and well-being teacher Colby Mackenzie featuring stories of my loving practices and support for yours. Thanks for being here.
Hello loves!
First, let me introduce myself!
To several new faces, new inboxes if you will (A huge shout-out to my esteemed colleague Alex Snider for recommending my Substack to his readers! Alex writes Human Bureaucracy - a PHENOMENAL encouragement towards heart-led, mindful action enabling better functioning and more supportive organizations. I absolutely insist you give it a read & hopefully a follow!!!).
But a quick run-down on me:
I started this newsletter in August 2020 to send out yoga practices to my friends and family during the coronavirus crisis. (I’m a certified yoga teacher specializing in nervous system regulation).
It’s morphed into addressing all sorts of topics, like the definition(s) of the word love, a very personal insight into my creative recovery saga, notes on the difficulties of making art and making money, alerts for the books I’m writing, and sharing mindfulness practices.
I’m living in sunny Sedona, AZ with my partner, watch golden retriever puppy videos daily, LOVE my movies and TV shows #content, work remotely for the federal government (civil service, not military or political - the other two broad kinds), and have a baby business teaching corporate well-being. Writing books full time is my dream.
My journey to yoga and well-being arose from an illness that began in 2017. My nervous system functionally collapsed and in 2022 I was diagnosed with ADHD, PTSD and C-PTSD. I care a lot about the American medical system and encourage self-empowerment for self-care. Health is wealth.
And my health needs my attention right now, especially my mental health. The chaos and uncertainty in my job sector has increased my anxiety and depression, naturally. I can control very little of what will happen. The only thing I can do, and the one thing that actually really relieves my anxiety, is taking action.
I can re-start regular talk therapy. I can prioritize my budget. I can keep proving my value at work. I can write my books. I can remember to focus on gratitude and joy. I can pray. I can take good care.
I remember the first health improvements I made when I first got sick were physical. Sometimes, that is the lowest hanging fruit. It is still difficult to makes these commitments, but they are worth it.
Taking care of our physical health automatically takes care of our mental health (and vice versa).
My body is issuing warnings. They are saying PLEASE!
PLEASE is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique to support mental health.
PLEASE stands for:
Treat PhysicaL Illness
Balance Eating
Avoid Mood-Altering Substances
Balance Sleep
Get Exercise.
PLEASE are tools in our care kit. It becomes a health task each day, something we actively choose and participate in and even can track and record.
I am preparing to do a booze-free 2025. That sentence terrifies me, because I already doubt my ability to stick to such a promise. I chronically over-promise and under-deliver on myself. But I am CHOOSING to because I need to support my health during a time of uncertainty. Choosing to support nervous system equilibrium so I can think clearly and make good decisions.
What sort of choices do you need to make? The key here is allowing the messages to arise without judgement. Mindfulness will keep us sane.
May we all self-regulate to support ourselves. May we all calm down so we can proceed with kindness. May the fear economy lose against our senses, our love.
Trying to stay sane,
Colby
How nice that your email was at the top of the list this morning. You got me at "Please." Your message is a strong one for us all. If only more of us realized that we have choices, and that our happiness and well-being are directly affected by our own attitudes and the choices we make. I agree, Love is the Answer. We're here for you. Love....