Tired of always making the same mistakes and not being able to move on in life? Clinical psychologist, Dominique Manias, shares her story of self-discovery in her book Switch Your Light On, to enable all of us to navigate through life and get the extraordinary results we want, writes Lee Currie.
Clinical psychologist Dominique Manias had always planned to write a book to share her knowledge and guide readers as they navigated their “stormy weather”. As with many of us, life got in the way until in an instant she was faced with her own mortality. A vibrant 30-something mother of four sons, Dominique recalls the catalyst that got her started on her book Switch Your Light On.
“After many years doing therapy with thousands of patients I began to see a common thread that formed the undercurrent of most people’s problems. This inspired me to one day write a book that would serve as a guide towards self-discovery. I kept saying I would start sometime in the future – but was so busy building my own family and working long hours there was never a gap.”
At the end of 2017 Dominique found a lump in her breast and was subsequently diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, followed by months of debilitating medical procedures. “My perspective of time changed,” she remembers. “Suddenly I realised I could no longer ‘bank on tomorrow’. So I began writing Switch Your Light On so that my sons would have a light to guide them through their lives in case I wasn’t able to be there for them. However, I first needed to help myself in order to share my knowledge. As I did my research – often late into the night – I began a deep and intensive personal journey. I lived each chapter of the book during my recovery process in order to be able to share some fundamental principles.”
Stress running rampant
Alarmingly, according to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) one in six South Africans suffer from anxiety, depression or substance abuse problems and this does not include more serious conditions such as bipolar disorders or schizophrenia. Further research during the current pandemic revealed that two-thirds of people surveyed said their mental health worsened during lockdown while some said they experienced suicidal thoughts.
“The pandemic has been a major contribution, exposing so many of us to rampant stress and depression. We are bombarded with so much information that it can dominate our own channel of thinking and lead us into darkness and despair,” comments Dominique. “However, I believe that with every ending there is a new beginning and nothing lasts forever. As the saying goes, this too shall pass. It is often from our darkest time that we see the light and grow the most as was certainly the case for me. My book brings together the main concepts that teach you how to focus your thinking and pave the way to your intended destination.”
Dominique’s coping tips
Stay present in the “now”. When we are consumed with thoughts about the past we develop depression and when we are fixated with worries about the future we become anxious. Peace and calm exists within and can be reached by letting go of thinking by using your senses to become present with the “now”. Try to repeat this practice every day.
Respond to your body. If tired, rest, if hungry, nourish it. Just as you would nurture a baby so you need to have responsibility for yourself.
Use breathing techniques and meditation to still the mind in order to hear your intuitive nudges guiding you towards the next right move.
Allow nature to be your grounding agent by spending time in natural surroundings.
Negative thoughts are like weeds; the moment you stop tending to the garden they’ll grow back.
A paragraph from the final chapter of Switch Your Light On: You are the creator, you are the artist and the maker of your reality. Trust that you have the ability to synchronise with all of who you are. It will come in the form of good feelings. Follow these good feelings and the possibilities are endless. *
FOR MORE INFO:
Dominique has her own private practice in Sunningdale; www.dominiquemanias.com; find Switch Your Light On at Sunningdale Medical Centre, Exclusive Books La Lucia Mall, and burbleonline.co.za