WELLNESS NORMAL VERSUS NATURAL Natural, by definition, refers to that which exists or is caused by nature. So as a member of the natural world it is natural for you to experience the feelings that arise. How might this change your perspective on your moods and mental states? There are natural phenomena that can be dangerous or unwanted - forest fires, for example. With fires, we can observe them, and take steps to reduce or control the damage. For the most part, these natural phenomena have a natural beginning and end. It’s also possible to keep adding fuel to the fire which will just keep it burning.
JONATHAN NHAN
Curate and Upgrade www.curateandupgrade.ca What’s the difference between “normal” and “natural”? In the context of our present times, there’s talk of things “going back to normal” or getting used to the “new normal”. If you think for a moment, though, these phrases were not only coined during the pandemic. It seems that oftentimes we are striving to achieve “normal” and even when we do, we find that there is something else that is “not normal” that we have to make normal again. Would it comfort you to know that this whole process is “natural”? The idea of normal is very interesting. It is used as a measuring stick to indicate what most people, or the majority of people, are doing, feeling, or experiencing. When you can identify as normal, there’s a certain comfort in knowing that you are similar to a large group of people. On the flip side, when you find yourself outside that range of normal, it can cause discomfort because you no longer can identify as within the predominant group and you likely want to get back to that state where you can once again identify. It’s natural to want to belong. Normal is an idea that is constantly moving, changing, and shifting. Normal requires context. If you were in a fast food burger restaurant and they served you a plate of chicken feet, you may think that was very abnormal. If you were in a dim sum restaurant and they did the same, it would be normal (even if you still wouldn’t eat them!). When you think about your feelings, moods, and thoughts, what does it mean for these things to be “normal”? There can be a great pressure to be normal from a mental health perspective and this label may add to the problem. Is it abnormal to feel sad, stressed out, or be in a depressed mood? Depending on the context of your situation, it could be considered normal. It’s almost certainly natural to feel as you are feeling.
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So the next time you may have a thought, mood, or feeling that makes you feel like you’re not normal, ask yourself what is natural about this feeling, and how does simply observing it change how it feels?
Jonathan Nhan Co-Founder, Curate and Upgrade Jon is a pharmacist, hypnotist, and Certified Diabetes Educator. He is passionate about making a tangible, positive impact in the world and has seen the power that changing mindset can have. Jon works with people like you, to find the perfect blueprint for healthy in your life and make that change effortless.
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