"The very mind that helps us make meaning of life can become the instrument of our isolation." This is so well-timed for me Rachel. Recent bouts of anxiety and panic give me access for the first time to the reality of this delicate balance that you describe. The clear and simple way you speak about the dial of attention, tuning out and tuning in, is helpful in my own process of navigating this. Finding ways to stay grounded in the sensory physical world and to practically serve has indeed been of the most help. Once again, you provide seamless access to useful information and inspired reading at the same time.
Thank you, Rick. I'm so glad these ideas about the physical-mental balance connected with your experience. The practical service you do in lifting up those around you, especially fellow writers, creates exactly the kind of meaningful connection this piece explores. Always appreciate your support!
What a beautifully written piece, Rachel. I especially love your description of rumination as “the mind cycling mercilessly through the same thoughts, each pass deepening the grooves of negative interpretation”. It perfectly portrays the mental downward spiral I’d experienced when first struggling with anxiety before acquiring the skills and coping mechanisms to effectively manage it.
Thank you, Seth. I remember that time, and I'm so grateful you found your way through it. It means a lot to hear that this piece resonated with your experience. You've come so far in developing those coping skills, and I'm super proud of you ❤️ Thanks for reading!
Rachel, thank you for your brilliant, insightful and, to me, serendipitous post. Whenever I go through a bout of MAJOR depression (in all caps for a reason), I always forget that, by ruminating about the angst and turning inward, I'm shutting out the outside world. This only serves to make my bell jar larger and more firmly planted onto my cranium. I really needed this reminder, and I have you to thank for it. You rock! (Also, you now have a new subscriber. Glad to stumble across your digital world!)
Larry, thank you for the very generous comment! What you say about rumination is so spot on. Those negative spiraling thoughts feel so TRUE in those moments, and it gets really hard to see any beauty in the world beyond them. It means a lot to hear that this was a helpful reminder to you, and that you decided to subscribe ◡̈
Rachel, this is another beautiful piece of writing on a very common yet not often public condition. Anxiety and depression can be crippling, as I experienced for a period in my mid 30's and I would venture to say that it has only increased in current times due to the large rise in time spent on social media...especially among the young. You certainly grasped the author's agony in your essay and how tragic that Miss Plath wasn't able to escape this pain in her life.
Thanks Larry, I'm 65 now and luckily the worst of that is long behind me now! However I still suffer with anxiety now and then but not nearly as bad as it was...it's the undiagnosed slight ADHD that I contend with at times LOL!!
Thank you, Mom. I remember that difficult time and how hard you worked to get through it. You're right about how these struggles seem to be intensifying in our current digital age, especially for young people. And yes, Plath's story is particularly heartbreaking because she captured the experience so perfectly while being unable to find her way through it. Love you and appreciate the support ❤️
This beautifully rendered deep dive into the battle of our thoughts and the strength of depression is intensified by the use of Plath’s own war. I wish she’d won, but maybe others will read this and succeed.
Thank you, Judy. Love how you noticed the way Plath's own war further illuminates the internal struggle, a tragic mirror to her protagonist. I’m also hopeful that having these conversations in public will help ease some of the suffering that people face in private.
Another wonderful essay Rachel. Love, love, love the weave between the expression and your take on the unwinding of the programmed mind that happens to so many of us at one point or another during a lifetime. Thanks for your beautiful and astute delivery of something so simple yet so complex at the same time.
Thank you for this thoughtful note, Skip. I love how you connected with both the simplicity and complexity of these mental patterns - that paradox always interests me. Really appreciate you taking the time to read and share your perspective.
I’m getting so much out of these Rachel — not only insights about the grooves behind how our brains work but how the great writers express these truths in their art. Thank you for this steady steam of science + craft lessons 👏
Thanks, Dan! This really means a lot coming from a writer like you. Sometimes I'm not even quite sure what "these" are, but I've been having fun writing them. And I'm really glad to hear that you enjoy them.
"The very mind that helps us make meaning of life can become the instrument of our isolation." This is so well-timed for me Rachel. Recent bouts of anxiety and panic give me access for the first time to the reality of this delicate balance that you describe. The clear and simple way you speak about the dial of attention, tuning out and tuning in, is helpful in my own process of navigating this. Finding ways to stay grounded in the sensory physical world and to practically serve has indeed been of the most help. Once again, you provide seamless access to useful information and inspired reading at the same time.
Thank you, Rick. I'm so glad these ideas about the physical-mental balance connected with your experience. The practical service you do in lifting up those around you, especially fellow writers, creates exactly the kind of meaningful connection this piece explores. Always appreciate your support!
What a beautifully written piece, Rachel. I especially love your description of rumination as “the mind cycling mercilessly through the same thoughts, each pass deepening the grooves of negative interpretation”. It perfectly portrays the mental downward spiral I’d experienced when first struggling with anxiety before acquiring the skills and coping mechanisms to effectively manage it.
Thank you, Seth. I remember that time, and I'm so grateful you found your way through it. It means a lot to hear that this piece resonated with your experience. You've come so far in developing those coping skills, and I'm super proud of you ❤️ Thanks for reading!
Rachel, thank you for your brilliant, insightful and, to me, serendipitous post. Whenever I go through a bout of MAJOR depression (in all caps for a reason), I always forget that, by ruminating about the angst and turning inward, I'm shutting out the outside world. This only serves to make my bell jar larger and more firmly planted onto my cranium. I really needed this reminder, and I have you to thank for it. You rock! (Also, you now have a new subscriber. Glad to stumble across your digital world!)
Larry, thank you for the very generous comment! What you say about rumination is so spot on. Those negative spiraling thoughts feel so TRUE in those moments, and it gets really hard to see any beauty in the world beyond them. It means a lot to hear that this was a helpful reminder to you, and that you decided to subscribe ◡̈
Rachel, this is another beautiful piece of writing on a very common yet not often public condition. Anxiety and depression can be crippling, as I experienced for a period in my mid 30's and I would venture to say that it has only increased in current times due to the large rise in time spent on social media...especially among the young. You certainly grasped the author's agony in your essay and how tragic that Miss Plath wasn't able to escape this pain in her life.
Hey, Mary. On the depression and anxiety front, rest assured: You're NOT alone. Hang in there, and keep turning OUTWARD!
Thanks Larry, I'm 65 now and luckily the worst of that is long behind me now! However I still suffer with anxiety now and then but not nearly as bad as it was...it's the undiagnosed slight ADHD that I contend with at times LOL!!
Thank you, Mom. I remember that difficult time and how hard you worked to get through it. You're right about how these struggles seem to be intensifying in our current digital age, especially for young people. And yes, Plath's story is particularly heartbreaking because she captured the experience so perfectly while being unable to find her way through it. Love you and appreciate the support ❤️
This beautifully rendered deep dive into the battle of our thoughts and the strength of depression is intensified by the use of Plath’s own war. I wish she’d won, but maybe others will read this and succeed.
Thank you, Judy. Love how you noticed the way Plath's own war further illuminates the internal struggle, a tragic mirror to her protagonist. I’m also hopeful that having these conversations in public will help ease some of the suffering that people face in private.
Another wonderful essay Rachel. Love, love, love the weave between the expression and your take on the unwinding of the programmed mind that happens to so many of us at one point or another during a lifetime. Thanks for your beautiful and astute delivery of something so simple yet so complex at the same time.
Thank you for this thoughtful note, Skip. I love how you connected with both the simplicity and complexity of these mental patterns - that paradox always interests me. Really appreciate you taking the time to read and share your perspective.
I’m getting so much out of these Rachel — not only insights about the grooves behind how our brains work but how the great writers express these truths in their art. Thank you for this steady steam of science + craft lessons 👏
Thanks, Dan! This really means a lot coming from a writer like you. Sometimes I'm not even quite sure what "these" are, but I've been having fun writing them. And I'm really glad to hear that you enjoy them.
Ooh, I especially liked this one, Rach! So beautifully said.
Thanks so much, Beth! This one was a tough topic, but I think an important one. Really appreciate you taking the time to read these pieces.