The Beauty In The ‘Healing Crisis’
This past year has been a trip—and then some. Without intentionally setting out to do so, I've ended some toxic relationships (which were mostly toxic because I was the one doing most of the work to maintain them). And, even though no one is independently wealthy over here, I decided to sever some professional ties (mostly because they weren't paying me even close to what I was worth).
As a result, I've had some moments when I've felt—beat. I mean that kind of exhaustion where if I slept 16 hours a day, it wouldn't be enough. I've also had moments when I've broken out into tears for no apparent reason and, let's not even discuss my bank account.
There's no doubt about it, in some ways, this season has had me feeling worse rather than better. And although I know I've made choices that truly are the best for me, it hasn't immediately felt that way.
However, what was going on in my personal and professional life isn't what helped me to pinpoint what was actually transpiring. It was actually something what went down with my body physically.
What My Candida Attack Revealed
If you've ever had a yeast infection before, you know there are really no words to describe how utterly annoying and uncomfortable it can be. Well, not too long ago, I had the triple threat (literally) of a yeast infection, a small eczema flare-up, and a bout of tinea versicolor—all at the same time. Hell on earth, I say. No exaggeration.
t had been so long since I had a yeast infection that I went to the drugstore to cop some Monistat. Not to knock the over-the-counter drug, but basically my body laughed at the cream. It was a complete waste of twenty bucks.
I was willing to bet good money that what I had going on was a fungal issue (I have a natural sensitivity to fungus). And since I'm not a fan of taking antibiotics (I try to avoid them if I can; besides, some infections are resistant to them anyway) and going to the doctor was going to cost a pretty penny, I decided to take matters into my own hands and treat matters holistically.
What I discovered helped me to see the silver lining in my not-so-little-little fungal attack.
Bad breath. Constipation. Breakouts. Mood swings. Insomnia. A low libido. If you make the time to check out "The Largely Unknown Health Epidemic Affecting Almost ALL Americans," you'll peep that reportedly "70 percent of all people are affected by Candida, a systemic fungal infection"—and a lot of the symptoms I just mentioned are indications that you might be one of those individuals.
Anyway, as I was reading up on just what candida is and does to our bodies (it's some pretty icky/scary stuff), I also looked up some natural ways to treat a candida infection (which is a form of a fungal infection).
Breaking all of what I discovered down is kind of its own article. Let me just say for now that antifungal herbs like garlic, turmeric, tea tree oil, Pau D'Arco, and Oil of Oregano are real game-changers. If you add to that some berberine and Yeast Fend (from The Vitamin Shoppe) and a mega-probiotic, I'd be floored if you don't start to feel much better.
Well, after you start to feel worse, that is.
What do I mean by that?
After I researched how all that was going on with me was interconnected and then I added those herbs (along with eating less sugar, drinking more water and taking my stress down a few notches) into my system, for a couple of days I was like, "What in the world is going on?!" I was more tired, had more discharge and itching, and even a few pimples. Uh-uh.
But then I happened upon a phrase known as the "healing crisis" and it's not only changed my life, but also my perspective on what I was going through - both internally and externally.
What My Physical Healing Crisis Is Teaching Me
Long story short, a healing crisis is defined as being "a temporary worsening of symptoms that occurs when the body is going through the process of healing itself through the elimination of toxins."
In the case of candida, as the cells die off, toxins are released into our system that result in us feeling worse (sometimes much worse)…first. That's because during a healing crisis, the symptoms aren't the things being addressed. The root of the infection is too. Maybe you've been consuming too much sugar, or have an underlying health issue, or you're not having enough antibiotics - whatever it is, the healing crisis is an essential part of resolving your concerns. So if you stay the course and are patient on your journey, you eventually end up feeling better than ever.
As I thought about the healing crisis on a physical level, it got me to thinking about many of the things that have been going on in other areas of my life.
Take my personal relationships, for example. Being basically co-dependent in so many of them was a lot like applying Monistat to a yeast infection. I was doing whatever I could to keep certain people in my life, but I was never really happy in those relationships. What was my root issue of that?
Well, for starters, I'm realizing that as a childhood abuse survivor, some of the boundaries that weren't taught to me as a child, resulted in me not setting healthy ones as an adult. Oh, but I'm doing that now (if you've never readSafe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren't—chile, it will change your life!).
My relational healing crisis is teaching me that going-along-to-get-along is usually a "symptomatic way" of handling things. Choosing to value myself and not settle for less—across the board—is getting to the root of past patterns and problems.
And you know what? Just like things had to "die off" in my body for me to be physically healthy again, certain people, places, things, and ideas had to go as well for me to live my best life.
In order for me to get to where I know I need to be, life literally had to get worse before it could start getting better. But baby, I'm starting to see light at the end of the tunnel and the gold at the end of the rainbow.
Alloy
So, if it took having a health crisis to learn what a healing crisis is and why I needed to experience one, believe it or not, the candida was worth it.
Bottom line, if you've got to let some things go, even if it hurts, in order to be your best self, DO IT.
It will feel like a crisis at first, but there will be healing in it.
I promise you that.
Featured image by Shutterstock
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images