1. Card to represent my current mental health
Key – Empowered. I am feeling better and better with each day that passes, the dark shadows lifting their cloying grip from my climbing form, and I am starting to feel the light dappling over my skin. The climb has been slow, but each day I feel that I’m making it a bit higher up, and it is in my control to make it the rest of the way.
2. An emotion that’s clouding my perception of reality.
Man – Speaking of control… what is clouding my perception of reality at this time is the fact that I am too focused upon that control. I need to remember that it’s important to let things go and allow them to move at their own pace. Don’t push.
3a. How to improve my perception of reality.
Dog – Allow others that I love and trust to step in and help me, and make sure when I speak to my therapist next week that I am entirely honest both about what’s happened and where I am now. I’m not upset about not having been able to get an appointment when I was in the deep darkness at the bottom of the pit, but that doesn’t mean I can just put this experience behind me and pretend it didn’t happen. I still need to talk to her about it, even if it’s nearly at the end of that particular journey.
3b. How to gain clarity.
Mountain – Depression and the climb out of that deep dark pit is a challenge that takes time, effort, and a great deal of focus to accomplish. The depression clouds judgement and shifts perceptions, which is a hurdle that will only lift as I get closer to the surface. Keep climbing this particular mountain, be patient, and I’ll eventually find myself back on level ground again… and in a place of greater clarity as a result.
4. How to change circumstances around me to elevate my mood.
Child – I need to remember to savor the newness of finding the light again and the joy that comes with each new sensation as I emerge a little at a time out of the pit I’ve been lost in for so long. Take this newness as a new beginning and embrace that budding energy like a rebirth.
5. How I can be happier day-to-day.
Woman – Be kinder and more compassionate to myself and my needs. Allow that softer side of myself more room to grow and flourish instead of muffling it and pushing it aside for the hard willed determination to always push forward harder and harder. Allow myself to walk a little slower and pause to smell the roses along the way.
6. How I can deepen my connection with myself.
Anchor – I need to make sure that I am grounding myself well and often. One of the key themes of the Anchor card is “mellowing out” or “settling down”, and the card in response to this question is telling me to stop worrying so damn much about where I’m going and pay more attention to where I am now.
Twisting the Leaf 