Don’t bypass, engage.

I saw a post someone shared calling out holistic wellness practitioners for spiritual bypassing, gaslighting, and toxic positivity.

And I get it- journaling, breathwork, and grounding aren’t the panacea for your individual problems or the universal problems we face. We’re experiencing international crises and you can’t manifest that away. I’m a realist- I don’t pretend everything is peachy when it’s not. But if I were to stay in that headspace forever, I would be a miserable, hopeless human being. So, I use the tools available to me so I’m not ruled by anxiety and despair.

Utilizing holistic modalities doesn’t mean you’re ignorant. It is not an either/or- you can find healing through holistic health and utilize western medicine. You can meditate to find balance and be filled with righteous anger due to corruption.

I believe in prayer and political engagement.

I utilize breathwork and therapy.

I’ve taken herbal tinctures and antibiotics.

I believe mindset matters and action/follow-through is crucial.

Approaching your life through a holistic lens should not mean gaslighting or toxic positivity. It SHOULD mean taking an active, curious role in your health and wellbeing. Rather than being reactive to physical illness or emotional distress, you take deliberate steps to prevent or diminish such pain. It should mean to live in a way that the harsh reality and persistent trials of life don’t consume or stifle you. Do not bypass, engage.