THE 8 NON NEGOTIABLES IN MY ADULT LIFE

It is no secret that many creatives suffer from depression and anxiety. The artist's curse is a better way of putting it to be honest.

Although can also be considered a blessing since so many wonderful creative work has been spawned when the artist hits rock bottom or been in an intense low, it's still really not great for a human.

The creativity is often times the only way out of that imbalanced state of being. As someone who has had a few bouts of severe depression as well as struggled with eating disorders and addiction, I have had to learn to manage it one day at a time.

When I was 17 they tried putting me on something for a chemical imbalance and I got very ill and gained 15 lbs. So I decided at that point I need to learn how to bring my body into ultimate health to remedy this situation - after all, the body is the mind.

Over the years I have figured out all the things that really help as well as a list of things that not only help, but are absolute key players in my state of being.

1) Good time management. Whenever you do things in a rushed manner, you can not think clearly. Make time to keep your house tidy and clean so that your day runs smoothly. Make time for personal grooming and care. Make time for things you enjoy. Whenever I start falling off in one area, I notice I run late or fall behind in other areas and it's simply not the life I enjoy. Feeling on top of things is ten times more empowering.

2) Exercise. Keeping your body fit and active and feeling like the system is running smoothly aids you in being more effective in all your other tasks. It also helps with keeping your mood uplifted. Positive states of mind have to be actively maintained when faced with this often dark world.

Also, you'll sleep well and have better sex and we all know that will make you feel happier :) 3) Nourishing food and fresh water Healing requires hydration. Have you ever felt a little anxious or even sad and you take a nice gulp of cold water? Try it next time, you will be amazed! When we feed our bodies good quality fuel, take supplements to make up for what we may not be getting and are focusing not only on satisfaction, but brain health as well, we can live fully. And for those of you who have any issues with anxiety or depression, Magnesium is a must! If you can't get it through diet, get yourself a supplement, your body, mind and heart will thank you.

4) Yoga/Meditation. As a highly creative person, my mind can go to places that the average thought process can not imagine. I'm not going to get into it, but let's just say that yoga helps slow everything down and makes me see and feel things from a nice and neutral space.

5) Alone time. I feel like all day I do nothing but talk and sometimes pretend to be much more interested in conversations than I really am just to keep the peace between myself and others. Can you imagine if we could do what a five year old would do and just go "this is boring!!" in the middle of a conversation and stomp off swinging our naked barbie dolls. It would be a much more honest life but society would inevitably crumble and we don't need that. So the solution for me is at least two hours a day of solitude.

6) Limit alcohol. True connection is only solid between a select few people. When we are young, we are so focused on being massively social, going to parties, bars, having what we call "fun" which is usually just drinking. It is amazing how many events, gatherings and friends start falling away when we know we are not going to drink. If the event or company has no lustre without the thought of alcohol, I will not be there.

7) Ignore unsolicited advice from anyone who doesn't have what you want. Even the most well meaning family members will hold biases toward you and try to give you advice to serve their agenda of either keeping you in the same place or worse, moulding you in their image.

If they don't have the state of being, the home, the amazing relationship, the body, the style, the beautiful personality, the money, the career the whatever that you are after - just nod along respectfully and then let it go. You know what's best for your own life and no one else can tell you what's inside you.

8) Ready? I am going to risk being labelled cliche. It's ok, I can handle it for this one because I really believe it. Begin each day with a grateful heart.