Emotions

My inner emotional journey has been key to my growth as a person. I felt it so important that I spent years researching how to teach the skills of optimistic thinking, mindfulness, perseverance (grit), and hope. I’m proud to say our research study was published in the peer-reviewed, scientific journal Child & Youth Care Forum.

Anyway, here are some basics on emotions and a few tools that helped me. These articles benefit anyone trying to live a more fulfilling life. 

Before and after Scott's Do-Nothing Diet.

The Do-Nothing Diet grand finale

Calling this my weight loss journey is a cliché — and it is not the type of adventure I long for — but it is chock-full of life lessons. How I lost 45 pounds of fat, gained 5 pounds of muscle, and surprisingly, took a big dent out of my depression.
A vibrant Jamaican sunset

Acceptance — a new rule

Did I miss the most obvious rule on my Do-Nothing Diet? Maybe I don’t even need to diet. Perhaps I need to accept myself the way I am.
Two boats in cerulean blue water

Overcome depression with travel

Guest Post by Manish: Sometimes taking a break from your daily routine is the best way to get perspective on your life. Here are some tips on how travel may be the refresher course on life that you need.
Calvin's final resting spot under a tree in the backyard.

Sacrificing physical health for mental health

Time for an update on my progress of losing weight while literally doing nothing. A sad update leads to renewed motivation. I also added a few new rules to try, like: Put down the spoon in between bites. 
Bahamas. Pink sand beaches, turquoise sea and deep blue sky.

The benefits of depression

It sounds like a contradiction, but consider depression a practice problem for life's bigger challenges. Learn how to put depression into perspective.
A photograph of cut-out fish hanging from ropes. The ropes divide the picture into thirds. A variation of the Law of Thirds.

How to achieve success with only 1/3 of the solution

I call this concept "The rule of thirds." We can use this rule to help us find alternate solutions or judge whether we are achieving success with the one solution we are using.
Bahamas. Sunrise. Pink sand beaches.

You can’t be depressed when you’re impressed

We talk about whether depression is in the mind or the body. And, another tool to help you feel better before you even know you need to feel better.
A colorful yet stormy sea Bahamas with a tiny sailboat on the horizon.

My quest for happiness

An introduction to my adventure in depression.
A series about how to find/create more joy in life. Everyone can benefit from these life lessons and activities.
Bahamas pink sand close up

Is depression a matter of mind over matter?

But is thinking the only way out of depression? Is depression simply mind over matter? If you are a fan of social media, you might think so.
A close up photo of the Bahamas' pink sand beach and cockle shell.

A reverse psychology trick for depression

You will be surprised what you discover with this reverse psychology trick that we can use on our “bad” emotions, whether that be depression or anything else.
Two contradicting memes side-by-side. Batman slapping Robin telling him, "Happiness is a choice." And a sad dog thinking people don't understand that depression is not a choice. ."

Happiness is a choice, or is it?

Welcome to part 3 in my series on depression. Today, we will discuss whether happiness is a choice or not. And I will give you two more simple solutions to feeling better right now.
Do cats get depressed

Is depression bad?

Is depression bad or good, abnormal or normal? Is depression a bodily sensation or an emotional feeling? The answer will surprise you and help you feel better.