🌬🦥 Life is like a feather in the wind. But sometimes, even the wind takes a break. In these moments, mindfulness allows us to observe the forces that move us and recognize patterns we might otherwise miss.

🕊🪺 Bias is one such force. It often operates silently, shaping our thoughts, actions, and decisions without our conscious awareness. Mindfulness is the practice of pausing, noticing, and becoming aware of these influences. It’s not about judging ourselves for having biases—bias is a natural part of being human—but about noticing them so we can choose how to respond.

🌬🪽 But mindfulness is not a constant state, nor should it be. It’s part of an inner cycle that includes trust in yourself and your instincts. While mindfulness offers clarity, it also helps us recognize when to let go of overthinking and trust in our natural ability to navigate life. Constantly questioning every thought or feeling can lead to doubt or inaction. Instead, mindfulness works best as a tool we pick up when needed, complementing moments of intuition and self-reflection.

🌬🍃 By weaving mindfulness into this cycle, we create a balance—aware of biases when they arise but confident in our ability to move forward. We pause to notice, but then we act with trust in ourselves. This rhythm ensures that we are neither carried blindly by the wind nor held motionless by fear of misstep. Instead, we move deliberately, awake and anchored, yet always free to soar.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

Sleepless (2008)

😵‍💫 The light is central and intense, almost like a spotlight that mercilessly focuses on the state of insomnia. It allows no escape into the darkness that one seeks when sleeping. The words "sleepless" repeated several times seem like a constant echo coming from the darkness. They represent the inner voices or the spiral of thoughts that are typical of people with insomnia: "Will I ever fall asleep? What if I'm tired tomorrow?"

🛌 If falling asleep is challenging, various mindfulness practices can help calm the mind and relax the body. Here are some effective techniques:

😌 Body-Scan Meditation

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Gradually focus your attention on different parts of your body, starting from your toes up to your head. Notice any tension and consciously let it go.

👄 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

a) Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
b) Hold your breath for 7 seconds.
c) Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds.

🔁 Repeat this 4–6 times.

💭 Thought Awareness

When thoughts arise, notice them without judgment. Imagine your thoughts as clouds drifting across the sky. Return your focus to your breath whenever you get distracted.

👂 Mindful Listening

Play a guided meditation, soft music, or nature sounds (e.g., rain or waves). Focus solely on the sounds and let other thoughts fade into the background.

💝 Gratitude Ritual

Think of three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small. Spend a few moments reflecting on each one and feel the gratitude deeply.

🏝 Visualization Exercise

Imagine a safe, peaceful place, like a beach or forest. Focus on the details: What does it smell like? What sounds do you hear? Stay in this imagery until you feel relaxed.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.

It has helped me to share my experiences and thoughts on various aspects of life that not only burden me but also strengthen me. A central difficulty is my tendency towards egocentric thinking.

This developed out of a system of oppression. In order to safeguard my interests within my family while constantly being manipulated and used, I developed coping mechanisms as a child.

I never had to do much to receive attention because my relatives wanted to maintain their influence over me. As a result, I never really felt the need to develop strong narcissistic behavior patterns within relationships.

Instead, I developed more egoistic behavior patterns because every stage of my life was marked by structural instability, and other people tried to influence my perspective, often for their own benefit.

I am not trapped in this egocentrism, but I am working on identifying the harmful aspects and their triggers. Like everyone, I have certain dynamics in my personality, consisting of adaptive (useful) and maladaptive (harmful) behavior patterns. These are closely linked to emotions and emotion regulation. I am very empathetic, but this is sometimes influenced more or less by my egoistic tendencies. My ADHD sometimes challenges my emotional regulation.

Since I have reported "publicly" on my experiences, it feels like I have regained a piece of self-determination, because now it has been said, and there’s nothing more I can do. I could still reach out to National Geographic, but I believe this is enough.

It has liberated me and allowed space for independent thinking that is not constantly under a defensive posture. Being able to take a free and self-determined (less self-centered) look at my own responsibilities has led me to the insight of what I can work on to improve my situation in the long term.

I have realized that my ability to consider other people's points of view can be improved and that I have a better chance of long-term emotional stability if I learn to forgive even the deepest pain, to let it go and stop giving it power.

🤗 For a more nuanced discussion, please feel free to use the comments section, private messages or the anonymous contact form on my website.