{"id":18691,"date":"2024-04-29T09:38:03","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T07:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/stress-alienation-depression-6-steps-to-exit-the-spiral-of-our-time\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T15:51:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T14:51:15","slug":"stress-alienation-depress-exiting-spiral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/stress-alienation-depress-exiting-spiral\/","title":{"rendered":"Stress, Alienation &amp; Depression | 6 Steps exiting the Spiral"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18691\" class=\"elementor elementor-18691 elementor-15041\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-11e1d933 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"11e1d933\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3dcb73de\" data-id=\"3dcb73de\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b11369f elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"b11369f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h3&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;No headings were found on this page.&quot;,&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tOverview\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__b11369f\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__b11369f\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__b11369f\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cfa18a4 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cfa18a4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d8e3114\" data-id=\"d8e3114\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1c25d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d1c25d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Stress, Alienation &amp; Depression<\/b> | the spiral of our Time<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5251fd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5251fd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>After a long absence, a recent visit to family and friends reminded me of something important: Times have changed. Change is constant\u2014it\u2019s neither good nor bad. It&#8217;s up to us to shape and navigate these changes.<\/p><p>In this post, I want to discuss shifts in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/mirror-process-inner-universe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>inner lives<\/u><\/b><\/a> and <b><u>psyche<\/u><\/b> that many may not be aware of. I\u2019ll share my observations and invite you to look more closely. Some of what I touch on may be hard to digest, but my goal is not to blame anyone. Rather, I want to bring the <b><u>unconscious<\/u><\/b> into awareness.<\/p><p>Technologization and digitalization are unstoppable. But that doesn\u2019t have to be a problem if we approach it <b>consciously and healthily<\/b>. Many people are already navigating the effects of this era mindfully. But many others don\u2019t notice how they are slowly changing, getting sucked into the spiral of modern life.<\/p><p>I want to emphasize the importance of being mindful of the shifts happening within our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/blog-inner-universe-toxic-relationships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>inner universe<\/u><\/b><\/a>. This is where we have <u>influence<\/u>. From here, we <u>enter into relationships<\/u> with others.<\/p><p>The whirlpool of our times is made up of <b>efficiency, performance, speed<\/b>, and a high <b>turnover rate<\/b>. Existential <b>fears<\/b> further fuel stress, depression, and alienation. Take a moment to pause and ask yourself: <i><b>\u201cWhy am I here?\u201d<\/b><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16226f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"16226f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2baf0d\" data-id=\"f2baf0d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5995c5 elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-1 elementor-posts--align-center elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-posts--show-avatar elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"f5995c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-18673 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-inner-universe tag-connection-en tag-digital-age tag-digital-communication tag-human-closeness tag-isolation-en tag-loneliness tag-mental-health-en tag-modern-loneliness tag-social-interaction tag-social-media tag-social-relationship\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/lonely-digital-age-the-quest-for-humanity\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"952\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/einsam_digita3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-18661\" alt=\"einsam digital lonely\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/einsam_digita3.jpg 952w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/einsam_digita3-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/einsam_digita3-768x552.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 952px) 100vw, 952px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__badge\">INNER UNIVERSE<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/lonely-digital-age-the-quest-for-humanity\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tLonely in the digital age | The quest for humanity\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/lonely-digital-age-the-quest-for-humanity\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Lonely in the digital age | The quest for humanity\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aec4a5b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aec4a5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Natural Rhythms<\/b> | Our home<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-853353b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"853353b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">I live on an island. Life here is heavily influenced by the <b>weather<\/b> and the <b>tides<\/b>. You can\u2019t rake the garden with 47 knots of wind, and sometimes driving is just not an option. The sea, wind, and sun set the rhythms we live by. While there are downsides to this, one thing is certain: It keeps you grounded and connects you to the rhythms we were originally in tune with\u2014and still are. We have no power over the forces of nature. When you <b>feel<\/b> that, it brings <b>humility and respect<\/b> for nature. You start to understand that everything has its time, and many things are beyond our control.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">A lot happens <b>spontaneously<\/b>\u2014when nature and the rhythms allow it. And that brings <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">peace<\/span>. When you start aligning with nature\u2019s rhythms, something shifts inside. That\u2019s our nature, our home. It\u2019s where we come from. You feel it when the wind hits your face or the sun warms you. When you swim in the sea or lie on a meadow, listening to the buzzing around you. When you climb trees or walk through lush forests: This connection is <b>real<\/b>.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">The people in this island community also know: They are <b>depending on each other<\/b>. You treat each other <b>kindly<\/b> even when you don\u2019t get along that well. Because the next storm might require the help of a neighbor. Being dependent on each other means that <b>respect<\/b> in the <b>relationship<\/b> comes first! That\u2019s why you accept each other as you are.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Shopping happens in small local stores, where people know each other by name and are happy to see each other. A lot is very regional, and much isn\u2019t available at all. And somehow, that\u2019s always okay. Before you order something from the mainland or a big online store, you think twice. It takes a long time to arrive\u2014and it costs money. Do you really need it?<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Most people work with what they have. And that too brings relaxation: Living <b>minimalism<\/b>, where you often do without, and then realize that it wasn\u2019t really necessary. It\u2019s a <b>real relief<\/b> not to have to keep up with the consumer trends.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ca9048 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4ca9048\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Alienation <\/b> | The big fear &amp; the little trust<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f6e59b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0f6e59b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Coming from the idyllic island, I became more <u>aware<\/u> of how <b>time-structured<\/b> the lives of many people are. Sometimes it feels like people are being <b>&#8220;lived&#8221;<\/b> more than they are actually living. This starts with children who <u>must<\/u> go to kindergarten or school in the mornings. Alongside the important education, they meet peers, engage in social learning, form friendships, and develop interests. School is important, and structure is too. However, the <b>pressure<\/b> that comes with it has grown, as most parents would not know how to handle a situation without school or kindergarten. Often both parents are working, sometimes under tremendous <b>pressure<\/b> to provide for their families.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Where school and kindergarten used to be opportunities for development, today they have become necessities for parents. This gives us insight into the <b>high pace and stress<\/b> that parents (and people in general) face today. If you want to learn about the <b><u><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fight-or-flight_response\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">basics of the stress response, read more here<\/a><\/u><\/b>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">As we gradually lose touch with our natural rhythms, the <b>demands of the modern workplace<\/b> grow. The <b>unrelenting demand for productivity<\/b>, rising costs, increased taxes, and bleak scenarios fuel additional worries and stress. Stress, stress, stress.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Most people are overloaded in a one-sided and unnatural way. What would help is <b>grounding, calm, and relaxation<\/b>, a bit of <b>trust<\/b> and <b>confidence<\/b>. But where can we find that? Especially when the <u>connection to our natural rhythms<\/u>, that calming, relieving relationship with Mother Earth, is missing?<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Cycling is done to toughen up. Jogging for endurance. Who lies under a tree today, just basking in the sun? Simply like that? With the increasing technologization and digitization, we have unfortunately lost this connection more and more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">You can also see this in children. The time children can spend <b>playing freely<\/b> is limited. I still vividly remember how we, as children in the housing development, played with other kids on the (seldom used) street until sunset. We jumped over dirt piles and &#8220;rescued&#8221; animals. It was completely normal and so important for us <b>to have our own lives<\/b>. <br>Today, children are <u>almost constantly supervised<\/u> due to <b>fear<\/b> that something might happen. This isn\u2019t an invitation to be careless, but are these fears <u>truly<\/u> real? Are there other reasons why children must be under constant supervision? And what price are we willing to pay for that? The feeling of freedom and the development of autonomy in children? Could it also be that stressed-out people make decisions out of fear rather than reason?<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">These days, there are GPS wristwatch trackers for children, allowing them to make calls or receive them. One can understand this, and sometimes it may be necessary for safety reasons. Yet, the space for <b>freedom, playful exploration<\/b> is becoming more restricted. Full <b>control<\/b> is desired. Out of a big fear. Because <b>trust<\/b> has become so small.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aa0b49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4aa0b49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Depression &amp; aggression collapse<\/b> | Individually &amp; collective<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9517a00 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9517a00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">When we\u2019re stressed, we tend to act impulsively, without thinking, and in a <u>reactive<\/u> way. Often, this is an attempt to reduce further <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">stress &amp; anxiety<\/span>, release pressure, or just find some <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">peace<\/span>. This can even show up as an angry (re)action. But by doing this, we end up creating <u>injuries, interpersonal conflicts, accidents<\/u>, or making <u>poor decisions<\/u>. <br \/>Stress, anger, and anxiety <u>distort our perception of the world<\/u>: We start seeing <b>risks, dangers, threats,<\/b> and <b>enemies<\/b>. We drain a huge amount of energy, leaving us with less for other areas of life.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">The mood and energy of each person flows into a <b>collective field<\/b>. Likewise, this collective field influences each individual.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Research shows that stress triggers either <b>anger<\/b> or <b>anxiety<\/b>. The current trend carries the risk of pushing us, through a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/10-steps-stress-sensory-overload-empaths\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>stress loop<\/u><\/b><\/a> that has become the norm, into a <b>depression<\/b>&#8211; and <b>aggression collapse<\/b>, both individually and collectively. I\u2019m speaking in psycho-energetic terms. Of course, it\u2019s up to each person to draw parallels between personal and collective events.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d156d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4d156d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Relationships<\/b> at risk | Effects of stress, anger &amp; alienation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac183d0 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac183d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">So many people are <b>constantly stressed<\/b>. Our loved ones feel it the most. While we can often &#8220;hold it together&#8221; with strangers and colleagues, it\u2019s much harder in the <u>circle of the familiar<\/u>. Usually, it\u2019s the parents, partners, or children who bear the brunt of our stress. It\u2019s completely understandable. Where else can you release all the stress, emotions, anger, and dissatisfaction?<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">The <b>maelstrom of this time<\/b> has a tremendous pull! This post isn\u2019t an accusation, but rather a letter of understanding and a <b>wake-up call<\/b>.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">In my 14 days back home, I witnessed four instances where children (in supermarkets, swimming pools, at home) were yelled at by their parents over trivial things: <i>&#8220;Stop annoying me!&#8221;<\/i>, <i>&#8220;Don\u2019t make a big deal out of it!&#8221;<\/i>, or <i>&#8220;Just open your eyes!&#8221;<\/i>. It was so <u>harsh<\/u> in some cases that I was genuinely <u>shocked<\/u>. <br \/>Children need boundaries, that\u2019s clear. But the energy, the <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">way<\/span> it was said (or screamed) was <b>cutting and sharp<\/b>. This wasn\u2019t about a boundary. These were parents who felt <u>&#8220;threatened&#8221;<\/u> by their own children and needed to <u>release pressure<\/u>. The children, simply by being themselves, added another layer to the parents\u2019 already overwhelmed stress level. These people were truly at their breaking point.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Even though it may sound strange: Your life doesn\u2019t have to be dominated by <b>stress, anger, anxiety, or depression<\/b>. These developments are difficult to deal with, but I hope you can allow them to prompt <u>sincere reflection<\/u>, and maybe even lead to a change in direction. Take a second to bring into your consciousness that you have a <b>free will<\/b>.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">A <b>stress load<\/b> comes from all the <u>external factors we give <b>meaning<\/b> to<\/u> (or feel we must) and use as our benchmarks. With all due understanding: Children are the least responsible for how much stress we allow in our lives. That\u2019s exactly why I\u2019m bringing attention to this. A real limit has been reached.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">What happens next depends on whether you, I, we <u>continue<\/u> to embrace this stress load or not. It depends on how much we continue to <b>alienate<\/b> ourselves from our own rhythms (or allow ourselves to), or whether we choose to reverse that. If we honestly acknowledge the current situation and act accordingly, we can exit the looming <b>depression<\/b> and <b>aggression collapse<\/b>. This would benefit the children and future generations as well.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">The only thing you need to do: Reflect on what is <b>truly<\/b> important to you in this life.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86d29f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"86d29f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Values<\/b> | Which ones do you live?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c30c152 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c30c152\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">If you don\u2019t shape your life with your values and rhythms, then <u>you\u2019ll be lived<\/u>. You\u2019ll be shaped by <b>external expectations and values<\/b> that were adopted and are no longer questioned. Stress arises especially when we feel like we\u2019re stuck in the <b>wrong life<\/b>. We experience ourselves as victims of circumstances. Alienation either makes us sad or angry.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">But &#8211; we can\u2019t really do anything about it, can we? What are we supposed to do? We <u>have to<\/u> work to earn money. The kids <u>have to<\/u> go to school. We <u>have to<\/u> take care of our bodies, eat healthily. Right? And then we <u>have to<\/u> make things work with the kids. And we <u>have to<\/u> function as well. Everything <u>has to<\/u> work.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Do you notice something? That\u2019s a lot of <b><u>have to<\/u><\/b>.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">And here\u2019s my question for you: <b>Do you live to have to?<\/b> Is that really it?<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">What values do you want to express? <br \/>How do you want to live? <br \/>How should your children grow up? <br \/>What do you wish for them and for yourself? <br \/>What do you want to experience? <br \/>Is there something that gives you goosebumps and brings you closer to yourself?<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">These are the questions you should be asking yourself. Instead of thinking about all the things that could go wrong, fail, or fall apart.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">What could <b>work<\/b>?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b91272a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b91272a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is <b>normal for you<\/b>? | Are you on the right track?<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff9ca65 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff9ca65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"left\">We are all more or less <b>alienated<\/b>. The <b>gradual alienation<\/b> began when indigenous peoples were displaced and wiped out, as humans positioned themselves above nature. Over time, values, narratives, and concepts evolved that were simply declared &#8220;normal&#8221; and adopted by the generations before us.<\/p>\n\n<p align=\"left\">As humans, I believe we are now at a tipping point where the <b>disconnection<\/b> <u>from our natural rhythms <b>and the<\/b><\/u> <u><b>self-alienation<\/b><\/u> can hit us like a boomerang right in the face. Not because we are stressed, alienated, and denatured, but because we no longer recognize (or refuse to recognize) our own state of exception. This state is about to become the new normal.<\/p>\n\n<p align=\"left\">Today, it\u2019s normal to live <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">against<\/span> the rhythms of nature, to try to control them (to maximize output), instead of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><u>living with<\/u> and in alignment with them<\/span>. It\u2019s normal to lament the absence of something rather than <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">acknowledge the positive<\/span> and to be genuinely grateful for the gifts of life. Similarly, many react with sincere confusion when one is <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">relaxed<\/span> or looks at life with <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">confidence<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n<p align=\"left\">We live in a fast-paced time. We are now at a crossroads, deciding how we want to cope with the fact that the current flow of time is speeding up.<\/p>\n\n<p align=\"left\">Pause and reflect:<\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Do I really want stress to be &#8220;normal&#8221; for me? \nDo I think it\u2019s right that my life circumstances alienate me from myself and nature? \nDo I want to accept living in a rhythm that leads to stress, anger, anxiety, and depression?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n<p align=\"left\">In doing so, we miss out on so much: The <b>abundance<\/b> surrounding us, the <b>people<\/b> who care about us, and those with whom we could feel <b>connected<\/b>. Many have forgotten that we are here <b>to live<\/b>. Not to be lived.<\/p>\n\n<p align=\"left\">Life doesn\u2019t have to be a sequence of compulsions.<\/p>\n\n<p align=\"left\">When was the last time you looked out of the window and asked yourself: <i><b>&#8220;What do I really feel like today? What am I longing for?&#8221;<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n\n<p align=\"left\">A long time ago? \nThen do it now!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e6d56ec elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e6d56ec\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0b36684\" data-id=\"0b36684\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-471d9cd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"471d9cd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><b>Leaving<\/b> the spiral | 6 steps<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71b739e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"71b739e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">There is a way out of this <b>spiral of time<\/b>. We can free ourselves from this stuck situation. To do so, we must <u><b>find stillness<\/b><\/u>, reconnect with our own <u><b>values<\/b><\/u> and <u><b>rhythms<\/b><\/u>. These six steps can help you confront stress, depression, and alienation. It\u2019s time to change tracks.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9161e74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9161e74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. <b>Mindfulness<\/b> &amp; <b>Deceleration<\/b><\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b7d1a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6b7d1a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Consciously take time for yourself &amp; others. Before giving your time to others, <b>give yourself<\/b> regular moments of stillness and relaxation. Whether through meditation, walks in nature, or simply mindful breathing.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb36632 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fb36632\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Mindfulness with <b>thoughts<\/b><\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c06e2a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c06e2a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Consciously observe <strong>how you think<\/strong>. Check when <strong>fears<\/strong> or <strong>doubts<\/strong> take over your thoughts &amp; consciously choose to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">think about it differently<\/span>. Step back and realize that you\u00b4re the creator of your thoughts. You can give them direction and focus.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2433dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b2433dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. <b>Values<\/b>, <b>reflection<\/b> &amp; <b>Self-discovery<\/b> <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ec95ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ec95ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Take time to reflect on your <b>values<\/b>, <b>goals<\/b>, and <b>needs<\/b>. What is truly important to <b>you<\/b> in life? What do <b>you<\/b> want to <u>express more<\/u> in your life (joy, ease, adventure, etc.)? What <b>goals<\/b> do you want to achieve <u>intrinsically<\/u> (from within)? Find <b>your own answers<\/b> to these questions and start <u>living more by them<\/u>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7621272 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7621272\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. <b>Communication<\/b>,<b> Connection<\/b> &amp; <b>fostering relationships<\/b> <\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b507f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b507f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Take real <b>time &#038; space<\/b> for your relationships with loved ones. Express your <u>feelings<\/u> and <u>needs<\/u> openly, and <u>listen<\/u> attentively in return, being fully <u>present in the moment<\/u>. Consciously choose to spend your time with people who <b>uplift you<\/b> and who you experience as <b>supportive<\/b>. It is <b>your life\u2019s time<\/b>! Also <u>choose<\/u> consciously when you prefer to <b><u>spend time alone<\/u><\/b> with yourself.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-587d113 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"587d113\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. set <b>boundaries <\/b>&amp; <b>priorities<\/b><\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5d5e0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a5d5e0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\"><b>Respect your own boundaries<\/b> and allow yourself to express them. Saying &#8220;no&#8221; to a request, an offer, or an invitation can be a <b><u>&#8220;yes&#8221; to yourself<\/u><\/b>. This way, you set <u>clear <b>priorities<\/b><\/u> in your life and focus your energy on yourself and what truly matters to you. This also applies to the media consumption (What am I allowing myself to take in?). Respect <u>the boundaries of others<\/u> &#8211; <b>give freedom<\/b> when you want it for yourself.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-554dfe0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"554dfe0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Also set <b>limits <\/b>to your own<b> thoughts<\/b><\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-463a9dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"463a9dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">Consciously direct your <b>attention<\/b>! Where do your thoughts lead you? Pressing, <b>fearful and worry-laden thoughts<\/b> can bind and deplete your energy. Most <b>stress arises within us<\/b> \u2013 when we give space and focus on\u00a0<u>stress-inducing thoughts<\/u>. Here, make a deliberate choice about which topic you truly want to engage with. Focus! Focus the focus! During a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/procedure-coaching\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>coaching process with me<\/u><\/b><\/a>\u00a0you\u00b4ll also become more <b>aware<\/b> and get useful <b>tools<\/b> to guide your thoughts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5b1b5d5 elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5b1b5d5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-02e5d92\" data-id=\"02e5d92\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b88c1fc elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-1 elementor-posts--align-center elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-posts--show-avatar elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"b88c1fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-12835 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-toxic-relationships tag-coping-strategies tag-emotional-overwhelm tag-empaths tag-freedom-en tag-mental-health tag-mindfulness-techniques tag-motion tag-personal-development tag-self-care-for-empaths tag-sensory-overload tag-state-of-emergency tag-stress-management tag-stress-relief\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/10-steps-stress-sensory-overload-empaths\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ueberforderung.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-12394\" alt=\"empathic stress\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ueberforderung.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ueberforderung-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ueberforderung-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/ueberforderung-768x431.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__badge\">TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/10-steps-stress-sensory-overload-empaths\/\">\n\t\t\t\t10 Steps for Stress Management in Empaths | From Overload to Self-Empowerment\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/10-steps-stress-sensory-overload-empaths\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about 10 Steps for Stress Management in Empaths | From Overload to Self-Empowerment\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\tRead more \"\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1d358b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e1d358b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Your life, your values &amp; decisions | <b>Outlook<\/b><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69598c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"69598c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">You have a choice. You can let yourself be swept away by the <b>spiral of time<\/b> in your life, or \u2013 <u>bravely <b>choose your own path<\/b><\/u>. <br \/><b><u>You worth it!<\/u><\/b> With <b>your own values<\/b> and <b>rhythms<\/b>. Even if they seem distant now \u2013 you can rediscover them and realign your life according to them. <br \/><b>Stress, depression<\/b> and <b>alienation<\/b> do not have to be <b>your<\/b> path. They do not have to be<b> our <\/b>path.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">You are allowed to <b>define<\/b> what\u00b4s &#8220;normal&#8221; for you. Start living by this in your small circles: in your family, partnership, or with friends. Talk about it and open yourself to other perspectives. The first step is a\u00a0<b>conscious decision and realignment<\/b> to what <b>matters to you<\/b>. It could be the step that leads you from a paradigm of stress, depression, and alienation (not chosen freely by you) to a <u>self-determined &amp; freer<\/u> life.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">The future is in <u>our hands<\/u> (yours and mine), and <u>we are allowed to <b>choose<\/b><\/u> \u2013 for the benefit of all.<\/p><p class=\"western\" align=\"left\">With love, <br \/>Kristina<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65ffa7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"65ffa7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Invitation<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0f1f5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0f1f5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you\u2019re considering being accompanied through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/mirror-process-inner-universe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>mirror process of inner work<\/strong><\/span><\/a>, you can book a <a href=\"https:\/\/psysoulogy.youcanbook.me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><u>free preliminary talk in my booking calendar<\/u><\/b><\/a> at the top right of this page or below this entry.<\/p><p><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">The <\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">model assumptions<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\"> are based on years of professional<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">observation<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">, personal<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">experience<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">, and knowledge from<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">psychoanalysis, psychodynamics, and developmental psychology<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">. For more information, please refer to the<\/span> <a style=\"text-decoration-line: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/copyright\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">Copyright<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\"> notice. The articles, including assumptions and hypotheses, may be<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">shared freely<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">, but please always provide<\/span> <span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: bolder;\">attribution\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var(--e-global-color-text); font-family: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family), Sans-serif; font-weight: var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);\">(my name and the website).<\/span><\/p><p>Picture by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/de\/@mtchllyng?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mitchell Y<\/a> auf <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/de\/fotos\/schwarz-weiss-spiralillustration-2P3vvPD-gKs?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Unsplash<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview Stress, Alienation &amp; Depression | the spiral of our Time After a long absence, a recent visit to family and friends reminded me of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":18693,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[856],"tags":[1189,1180,1191],"class_list":["post-18691","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inner-universe","tag-depression-en","tag-mental-health-en","tag-stress-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18691","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18691"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20416,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18691\/revisions\/20416"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freieresleben.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}