Putting Self-Care on Autopilot
To say the last couple of years of my life have been crazy is an understatement. The last twenty-four months have been a series of successive challenges and transitions. Family illnesses and deaths, moving, friends becoming distant, home-renovation just to name a few.
I’m hearing from a lot of folks who've had similar experiences in their own lives as well. The toxic soup of a culture we’re all currently living in only adds to the feelings of stress and chaos. No matter where in the spectrum our politics reside it’s safe to say we all feel the effects of the toxicity even if we can’t exactly agree on the source of it.
For those who are caregivers who bear considerable responsibility it’s so easy to defer our own needs—there are only so many hours in the day, right? Sometimes it’s difficult to rationalize taking an hour or two from the day’s productivity for self-care. Even those people who consider themselves as highly self-aware can rapidly rationalize their way right into energy deficit (burnout). It’s not that we don’t realize how important it is to take care of ourselves but, over time it’s like a kind of amnesia sets in.
I’m normally a very optimistic and easygoing person but, lately, I’ve noticed that the bright side is harder to see some days. My patience also wasn’t what it used to be. It was as though my well of inner resilience was running dry. After a few weeks of feeling this way I realized something had to change and began to seek help.
After a little research I found a great book to help guide me through the dark clouds I’ve been trying to navigate my way through. It’s called, “the Myth of Normal” by Gabor and Daniel Maté. I’m happy to say this book is helping to reframe things considerably.
I also decided to take a few hours this past weekend to do something restorative and put myself into the healing hands of The Wellness Center in Minneapolis. As it turns out I had an unused two year old gift card for a massage that they had to email me to remind me of.
After an hour on the massage table I felt a lot more like my old self. It’s hard to believe how connected our bodies and minds are. Over time mental stress is deposited in our bodies in a variety of ways and, if left unchecked, can cause a whole host of injuries and illnesses. Julie, the masseuse, said I was carrying a huge amount of stress in my shoulders and once she expertly obliterated all the knots it felt like the dark clouds parted and the angels started singing again. That was the moment I realized exactly how far down the abyss I had actually started to slip.
It was a reminder to me to put self-care on autopilot however I can. From here on out I’ll book another massage or float-tank session regularly, every four or five weeks. It's so important for us to regularly do some kind of self care check-in to access our levels of inner resilience. If we don't take care of ourselves we can't take care of others.
How long has it been since you’ve done something restorative, just for yourself? In what ways can you put self-care on autopilot?
Be well, make the most of this day. Thank you for reading!
Growing weary of the ads and divisiveness on mainstream social media? If so, why not try Hive? Click on this link to sign-up and join our growing global community.
Want to Keep Up with My Travels? Please subscribe to my YouTube channel.
We will understand how important taking care ourself is when we have started to get old.
Middle age is definitely when your lifestyle and quality of your inner thoughts begin to show in your body.
This makes me happy! You deserve and need to take time for yourself, even though you are strong, caring and resilient (or perhaps because of it). It really does turn out the old adage is true - you need to take care of yourself so you can take care of others. So good on you for taking the time and more importantly, for acknowledging all that. I hope you make more of a habit of it in future.
PS: Mate is mind-blowing. Have you heard him on podcasts? I had a period where I loved listening to him talk, even stuff I'd heard before. He has a very soothing, healing voice and demeanor. Well worth checking him out on Rogan, Russell Brand or any of the other podcasters.
Thank you! It's just so crazy how the amnesia sets in and you just focus on the tasks at hand, losing that close connection with yourself.
I haven't heard him on podcasts but I'll search for that JRE episode today! I should just automatically search those episodes when I find someone I want to learn more about. I bet Maté has done the whole podcast circuit to promote the book. Thanks for that suggestion!
It sounds a lot like the idea of bucket filling and bucket dipping. My wife uses that a lot with her students at school. If we are constantly filling others buckets, we are going to be empty eventually. I'm glad you are taking care of yourself!
That's exactly it, the bucket analogy is a good one. Thanks my friend. I'll have to get your address so I can mail a copy of the new book once it's ready. I'll reach out over messenger as soon as I have copies.
Sounds like a plan!
Like you, I think I'm normally a very optimistic person, but since 2-3 years it happens I have some "not-so-optimistic" days and my level of feelings of stress and chaos is high. When the level is so high my mind seems to turn off itself and I feel myself like a sort of slow sloth. I know it's because I lived some personal bad events in the last years and everything it happens around us not help me to stay up. Sometimes I think I could spend some days out of the screens to rebalance everything,
but at the end to use my brushes and colors are a good way to restorate myself . That book seems to be interesting to read, maybe it can help me too. ^_^
I'm noticing quite a few people are feeling depleted these days! Especially creatives, because we tend to lean more on the empath-side of the personality spectrum. We can shield ourselves from the chaos/negativity by not consuming certain media or filtering our social circles but it's difficult to escape it all. If you read the book we'll have to compare notes!
I take time out to walk in the local parks multiple times a week even while caring for my aging parents, even if I have to work walking into my commuting if I am out taking care of business ... gotta take care of me so I can take good care of their needs ...
Being out in nature is the best way to reset ourselves. I started wearing grounding shoes last summer and noticed a huge difference in my baseline sense of wellness.
Thanks for the tip ... checking out Groundz...
I'm so glad you took that break! There's nothing like reading and getting a massage. We live in a world where we have to be doing a thousand things, which causes us stress and anxiety . In your case not only the death of your father and the moving, but also sitting in front of the computer for long days can create those knots in your shoulders and neck. I remember the last time I had a massage was a year ago, maybe more. I remember it was on the beach and it was so placid that I fell asleep. I think I need a massage like that again. Take care of yourself, my friend. A hug
Thank you! It was definitely an epiphany. After that massage I felt everything shift, kind of like doing a hard reset on a computer. Yeah, there's just been like an avalanche of things, both good and bad, transition/change creates its own kind of stress..especially as we get older. That kind of thing used to be much easier for me to handle. I appreciate it, Nancy! I hope you're well!
A Wake-Up Call: Accountability and Redemption in the Hive Ecosystem
To those who believe their actions on the Hive blockchain go unnoticed, it’s time to confront the truth. The power you think you wield through downvotes, vote farming, and manipulation is an illusion. True strength lies in doing what’s right, not in exploiting systems for personal gain or silencing others out of fear.
1. The Illusion of Power Through Exploitation
If you’re downvoting critics, running coordinated farms, or hoarding influence to control rewards, ask yourself: What does this say about your character? Manipulating Hive’s reward system doesn’t make you powerful—it exposes vulnerabilities. It shows a reliance on unethical tactics to feel significant in a space that was meant to empower everyone equally.
But here’s the reality: these actions won’t bring lasting satisfaction. At night, when you’re alone with your thoughts, do you truly believe what you’re doing is right? Regret has a way of lingering, and no amount of HIVE tokens can silence the voice inside telling you there’s a better path.
2. The Ripple Effect of Your Actions
Your choices don’t just harm Hive—they affect the people around you. Your online friends may follow along now, but loyalty built on shaky foundations crumbles quickly. And what about your family? Do they understand how much energy you pour into behaviors that ultimately hurt others and yourself?
Every action has consequences, and the deeper you dig, the harder it becomes to climb out. You’re not just harming Hive—you’re pulling those close to you into a cycle of negativity and regret. Is it worth it?
3. Change Before It’s Too Late
The Bilpcoin team isn’t here to attack individuals—we’re here to spark change. We’ve seen the evidence, and we know the impact of manipulative practices. But we also believe in redemption. There’s still time to step back, reflect, and choose a different path.
Ask yourself:
Hive deserves better. So do you.
4. Strength Lies in Doing What’s Right
Real power comes from integrity, not manipulation. Instead of focusing on how many tokens you can farm or how many users you can silence, consider how you can add value to the ecosystem. Create meaningful content, support genuine contributors, and advocate for reforms that benefit everyone—not just a select few.
If you continue down your current path, remember this: you are being watched. Many stay silent, but they see everything. Blockchain data doesn’t lie, and accountability always comes knocking—whether today, tomorrow, or years from now.
5. A Final Plea: Fix What Needs Fixing
It’s never too late to change course. Stop the farming, stop the toxicity, and start contributing to Hive in ways that uplift rather than tear down. If you’re struggling with why you’ve chosen this path, take a moment to reflect. Seek help if needed—there’s no shame in admitting you’ve lost your way.
The Hive community is watching, waiting, and hoping for positive change. Will you rise to the occasion, or will you let regret define your journey? The choice is yours.
From the Bilpcoin Team: We’re committed to helping Hive thrive by exposing the truth and fostering transparency. Let’s work together to build a stronger, fairer ecosystem—one where everyone has a chance to succeed.
What will your next move be?
Addressing the Downvote Issue on Hive: It’s Time for Real Change
Marky Mark Stop the manipulation game Lady Zaza Bpc AI Music
Let’s cut through the noise and address one of the most pressing issues holding Hive back from reaching its full potential: abusive downvotes. The Bipcoin team has consistently exposed the systemic problems that stifle growth on this platform, yet little to no action has been taken. If Hive is to thrive, we must confront these challenges head-on instead of engaging in empty discussions that lead nowhere.
Hive cannot grow if nothing changes. How can new users and smaller creators flourish when they are constantly suppressed by those who exploit the system? Many so-called “whales” contribute nothing meaningful to the ecosystem—instead, they focus solely on farming rewards through manipulative tactics like mass self-voting, spam content, or coordinated downvoting campaigns. These actions discourage genuine participation and erode trust within the community.
Blockchain transactions don’t lie. We’ve seen firsthand the shady methods used to game the system—whether it’s creating alt accounts to amplify votes, orchestrating downvote brigades, or hoarding influence without giving back to the network. Why does this behavior continue unchecked? Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words, and until concrete steps are taken to address these abuses, Hive will struggle to move forward.
We have repeatedly presented evidence of these practices, not to divide but to demand accountability. The truth is out there for anyone willing to look at the data. Yet, despite our efforts, the cycle persists. Today, we’re asking again: Can we finally talk about the real issues plaguing Hive? And more importantly, can we take decisive action to protect the integrity of this platform?
Do not let bullies destroy what makes Hive special. Abuse of power through downvotes and manipulation harms everyone—creators, curators, and the community as a whole. It’s time to fight back against these toxic practices and create an environment where all voices can be heard and rewarded fairly.
The Bipcoin team remains committed to exposing the truth and advocating for meaningful change. But we can’t do it alone. Together, let’s push for solutions that ensure Hive becomes a place of opportunity, fairness, and growth—for everyone.
Enough talk. Let’s see action.
Every curation reward from @buildawhale’s bot votes:
The blockchain doesn’t forget—your actions are permanently recorded. So, enjoy your scam farm snacks now, because karma always delivers the bill.
https://peakd.com/@buildawhale/comments
https://peakd.com/@buildawhale/activities
Staked HIVE
More
Also known as HP or Hive Power. Powers governance, voting and rewards. Increases at an APR of approximately: ~13.07%
An unstake (power down) is scheduled to happen in 5 days (~4,742.795 HIVE, remaining 12 weeks)
61,991.841
Tot: 2,404,544.432
Delegated HIVE
Staked tokens delegated between users.
+2,342,552.591
Details
HP Delegations
RC Delegations
Delegated: 0 HP
Search
No outgoing delegations
Received: 2,342,553 HP
@blocktrades 2,342,494 HP Aug 16, 2020
@nwjordan 24 HP May 27, 2018
We’ve exposed the truth repeatedly with ironclad evidence:
@themarkymark’s $2.4M scam farm.
@buildawhale’s daily grift.
@jacobtothe’s downvote army.
Downvote Army: Silencing truth-tellers like Bilpcoin.
Reward Yourself: Collecting daily paychecks from @buildawhale.
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-jacobtothe-st6rk4
https://hive.blog/hive-167922/@usainvote/re-buildawhale-s6knpb
https://peakd.com/hive-124838/@bpcvoter1/st7wu1
https://peakd.com/hive-126152/@bpcvoter1/jacobtothe-you-re-not-god-no-matter-how-much-you-try-to-act-like-it-you-can-say-what-you-want-but-the-truth-remains-undeniable
https://peakd.com/hive-163521/@bpcvoter3/jacobtothe-this-was-way-over-rewarded-and-we-need-to-call-it-out-you-made-significant-rewards-from-a-post-that-was-created-using
https://peakd.com/hive-126152/@bpcvoter3/jacobtothe-let-s-address-the-core-issue-here-facts-speak-louder-than-rhetoric-we-ve-presented-verifiable-evidence-that
https://peakd.com/hive-126152/@bpcvoter3/think-carefully-about-your-next-move-because-this-issue-is-bigger-than-any-one-of-us-the-downvote-abuse-scamming-and-farming-by
https://hive.blog/hive-180505/@jacobtothe/re-denmarkguy-st9f4w
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-peaksnaps-starqg
https://hive.blog/hive-167922/@darknightlive/re-bpcvoter2-bpc-dogazz
https://hive.blog/hive-126152/@tobetada/my-first-shitstorm#@azircon/re-tobetada-stbswq
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@acidyo/re-themarkymark-stbthn
https://peakd.com/hive-168088/@bpcvoter3/jacobtothe-it-seems-we-re-going-in-circles-here-so-let-s-clarify-things-once-and-for-all-downvotes-don-t-erase-the-truth-the
https://peakd.com/hive-126152/@bpcvoter3/uwelang-it-seems-you-re-dismissing-the-discussion-without-engaging-with-the-actual-content-that-s-unfortunate-because-the
https://peakd.com/hive-121566/@bpcvoter1/std7q6
https://peakd.com/@uwelang/re-uwelang-stc2c3
https://hive.blog/hive/@themarkymark/what-the-fuck-do-witnesses-do-dk1
https://hive.blog/hive-167922/@usainvote/re-buildawhale-s5tysw
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@steevc/re-meno-stdsv6
https://hive.blog/life/@crimsonclad/re-oldsoulnewb-sh93a2
You Can't Downvote The Truth Mc Franko Bpc Ai Music
https://hive.blog/hive-126152/@jacobtothe/re-galenkp-stekn4
https://hive.blog/hive-126152/@jacobtothe/re-galenkp-steiss
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-peaksnaps-sterpt
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@acidyo/re-web-gnar-stfc6c
https://hive.blog/mallorca/@azircon/re-abh12345-stfbyk
https://hive.blog/hive-167922/@uwelang/hpud-march-back-over-110k-hp
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@buildawhale/1742569802434998164
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@buildawhale/1742656202460243008
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-peaksnaps-sti6pr
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-peaksnaps-stkfjj
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@buildawhale/1742742602124717444
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@themarkymark/re-kgakakillerg-stm4vv
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-snap-container-1742690880-20250324t025303z
https://hive.blog/donation/@crimsonclad/re-nampgf-sti0nf
https://hive.blog/hive-148441/@azircon/re-curamax-stk5vq
https://hive.blog/hive-funded/@acidyo/re-alex-rourke-stluzc
https://hive.blog/hive-167922/@theycallmedan/re-finpulse-4gnm7o8h
https://hive.blog/hive-144400/@blocktrades/st110u
https://hive.blog/hive-148441/@usainvote/re-curamax-stly39
https://hive.blog/hive-167922/@usainvote/re-buildawhale-s75mua
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@buildawhale/1742829002430606097
https://peakd.com/hive-167922/@bpcvoter1/themarkymark-big-bad-marky-huh-lol-you-re-more-of-a-joke-than-anything-else-we-ve-exposed-your-actions-repeatedly-your-scamming
https://hive.blog/3dprinting/@themarkymark/meet-frank-ajt
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@buildawhale/1742483402094376205#@buildawhale/re-1742483402094376205-20250320t151108z
https://hive.blog/curation/@azircon/re-acidyo-stn05u
https://hive.blog/curation/@themarkymark/re-azircon-sto5b9
https://hive.blog/curation/@themarkymark/re-azircon-sto57d
https://hive.blog/curation/@themarkymark/re-meno-sto4ua
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-snap-container-1742825520-20250325t020936z
https://hive.blog/hive-150342/@steevc/re-alessandrawhite-2025325t91011757z
https://hive.blog/curation/@themarkymark/re-meno-stodj2
https://hive.blog/curation/@themarkymark/re-meno-stod08
https://hive.blog/hive-13323/@moeknows/re-azircon-stnrc3
https://hive.blog/hive-112018/@jacobtothe/re-dynamicrypto-sto8ak
https://hive.blog/hive-13323/@azircon/re-moeknows-stofom
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@buildawhale/1742915402155436654
https://hive.blog/hive-13323/@azircon/re-moeknows-stoq3o
https://hive.blog/hive-13323/@bpcvoter1/stos6z
https://hive.blog/technology/@themarkymark/re-kgakakillerg-stpzn7
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-niallon11-stpzmi
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-peaksnaps-stpx2t
https://hive.blog/hive-13323/@azircon/re-moeknows-stov0c
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@buildawhale/1743001802743637765
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@meno/re-themarkymark-stqdnp
https://hive.blog/hive/@acidyo/hive-curation-a-response-to-a-post-about-my-previous-video
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-meno-stqt8y
https://hive.blog/burnpost/@buildawhale/1743088202593656720
https://peakd.com/@bpcvoter1/to-the-hive-community-and-all-those-watching-our-journey
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-snap-container-1743079680-20250328t095442z
https://hive.blog/hive/@acidyo/re-freecompliments-strts3
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-peaksnaps-sttukk
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@anderssinho/re-themarkymark-stu0qr
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@oldsoulnewb/re-themarkymark-stu1t3
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@acidyo/re-themarkymark-stu3fk
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@wiseagent/re-themarkymark-stu6fz
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@stayoutoftherz/re-themarkymark-stu6r7
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-peaksnaps-stufv1
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-godfish-stujq7
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-coininstant-stugcr
https://hive.blog/hive-124838/@themarkymark/re-snap-container-1743183360-20250329t130534z
https://peakd.com/hive-167922/@bpcvoter3/exposing-hive-s-hidden-manipulators
STOP #buildawhalescam #buildawhalefarm
https://peakd.com/hive-126152/@bpcvoter3/exposing-the-whales-on-the-hive-blockchain
https://hive.blog/curation/@jacobtothe/re-por500bolos-su4gfm
https://peakd.com/hive-167922/@bpcvoter3/the-hive-unveiled-a-journey-through-shadows-and-light
Stand Together Hive Keni & Mc Franko Bpc Ai Music
https://x.com/lee19389/status/1912253870337847673
#hive #posh
The first thing we must understand is that we are responsible for our own body and self-care is one of the goals we must have in our lives.
I used to have a formula that every 30 minutes at work I would stop and dedicate 5 minutes to myself because the pace of work makes you forget that you are a man, not a robot.
There is a saying that says healthy mind in healthy body and this validates what you say about the connection between body and mind.
About the massage and the knots, it is true about the specialist and the importance of eliminating the knots that we have in our body because those are synonyms of problems that many times are produced by the stress of daily life.
Thank you for sharing.
Happy day.
Cheers and greetings.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
I really like that idea of taking short breaks while working. That would be helpful if you had a physical job or a desk job. Thank you my friend I hope you're having a great week!
Just Saturday! Lily was with her mom, so we took advantage and my girlfriend, her siblings, my brother (who's visiting from Germany) and I went to a pool. We just chilled and drank beer and talked SO much. It was wonderful.
Very similar experience over the last 24 months - though I actually burned out a year ago. It was horrible and took me most of 2024 to get out of it. The book that helped me a lot was "The Burn-Out Society" by Byung-Chol Han. It's a little hard to read, but the main thing I realized that I was so programmed on productivity, that I couldn't do anything without it as a goal. I did walks to calm down and be more productive later. I did meditation to be more focused and productive. And so on. There are a few more insights in that book, but that one was the biggest for me. Changed my life quite completely.
I'm glad you noticed the signs and started to work on it before it becomes severe!
Oh, living in a different country also helps. I'm not connected to either politics, nor sides. I'm an expat, so nobody cares about my vote nor opinion. That's a lot less stress, as I read in other people's posts 😅
That kind of socializing is so restorative! I love how when you're with a group and the conversation is flowing so well that you lose all sense of time.
I'm sorry to hear about the burn-out but glad you were able to recover! Thanks for the book suggestion, I'll look that up. It sounds like the perfect follow up to the one I'm currently reading. My family is very goal-oriented too. If I don't feel like I'm being productive there's a certain guilt that sets in. I'm getting better about balancing that now after I started working for myself in 2017. It's crazy how so many of us are programmed to be worker bees from a young age. It's like our entire sense of self-worth is tied up in how much we can get done.
It's my dream to become an expat but I'm not sure it will ever happen at this point. Being in the US is like whirling around in a cyclone of stress sometimes. At least we don't live in the city center anymore. It was much worse with the rampant crime and noise.
Yes, that's exactly how I felt - even though my family was already telling me to tune it down a bit. I had achieved almost everything I had set as a goal, yet I couldn't stop. My brother, another burn-out-candidate, actually flew down to Ecuador to smack me around a little and get me back on a healthy track. He's better at giving that advice than at taking it though - he went back to Germany and started a second business 🤣
I think the book might help you. For me, it was very introspective. I had to read pages several times in order to understand first the words, then the meaning, and finally apply on my situation and hence feel them. I wish you all the best! Thanks for opening up and sharing!
I also worry about my younger brother sometimes. At 50 he's already been in the corporate world three years longer than I was before I began writing full time and it's starting to show on him. He's always connected to work through his phone. He does everything quickly and has to wear himself out physically before he can relax (kind of typical for a lot of guys, I think).
I'll definitely be adding it to my reading list...I'll probably queue it up as my next read. Thank you for the thoughtful comments!
agreed.
a lot of people have died in the past 24 months, some were old and some were young.
Death don't see ages.
Very true!
It is absolutely true that when those people in life leave, when we love them the most in life, especially our parents leave and brothers and sisters move to other cities, then life becomes very sad inside and even on the occasion of happiness we are not happy, so it is better to live with each other in which city and enjoy happiness.
Yes, when you're young I think we just believe that we'll find a way to stay close to family and we also think we have all the time in the world to reconnect. As we get older we realize how fast our lives go.
Sharing on Twitter
https://x.com/djbravo121741/status/1912497533055627500
I totally relate to feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. It's great that you recognized the signs and took action. The book 'The Myth of Normal' sounds like a great resource. And that massage experience was just what you needed! Putting self-care on autopilot is a great idea – it's essential for maintaining our well-being and being able to care for others.
Hello ericvancewalton!
It's nice to let you know that your article will take 5th place.
Your post is among 15 Best articles voted 7 days ago by the @hive-lu | King Lucoin Curator by keithtaylor
You receive 🎖 1.1 unique LUBEST tokens as a reward. You can support Lu world and your curator, then he and you will receive 10x more of the winning token. There is a buyout offer waiting for him on the stock exchange. All you need to do is reblog Daily Report 635 with your winnings.
Buy Lu on the Hive-Engine exchange | World of Lu created by szejq
STOPor to resume write a wordSTART