Hey Confused:

“But it’s hard to move now”- this sentence made me think of a law in physics, Newton’s First Law of Motion, also called the Law of Inertia.

It’s often summarized as: “A body remains at rest, or in motion at a constant speed in a straight line, unless it is acted upon by a force.”

In yet other words, an object will stay still if it’s already still and keep moving (in a straight line at the same speed) if it’s already moving, unless a force pushes or pulls on it.

Depression often creates a kind of psychological inertia because the brain and body get stuck in a certain state. Example: you want to get out of bed, but your body feels glued down. You know you should shower, but starting feels impossible. Just like in physics, starting requires the most energy.

But even in depression, once you begin a tiny action, it can be easier to keep going. Example: you step outside for a minute → you end up taking a short walk.

Inertia can also apply to mental motion. When depression triggers negative thinking, those thoughts can keep rolling on their own, example: one self‑critical thought spirals into ten more.

In physics, motion changes only when something pushes or pulls on the object. In depression, “external forces” can be a supportive friend, a therapist, medication, a routine (!), a small success, or a change in environment

These don’t magically fix things, but they can give the system a nudge that helps shift the direction.

You don’t need a giant push to change inertia — just a small, consistent one.

Examples: a 5‑minute walk, drinking water, opening a window, or doing one tiny chore. These are like gentle pushes that slowly change the system’s motion.

What do you think, Confused?

🤍 Anita

Hi Mollie:

Thank you! What a delightful Jan 1, 2026 message to read. To not punish yourself is key. Whenever you feel that you are disappointed with yourself, angry at yourself perhaps, redirect to => empathy for yourself. Treat yourself like you would a child who is upset- comfort her. Tell her it’s okay to make mistakes, that no one is perfect.

In regard to quitting chocolate or carbs, there’s no one answer fitting all. Do what works for you individually. If adjustments need to be made over time, make them when needed, one step at a time, one day at a time.

🩵 Anita

I apologize for all the typos (using my phone and should have put on my eading glassed wherever they are)

Again, Happy New Year Everyone (.. Exactly one hour and five minutes to midnight in your part of the world, Thomas, four hours and five minutes to midnight where I’m at.)

✨ 🥂🍾🎊 🎉🥳🕛 🌟🎆📅 🎊🍀🌈 🎁💫🎉 🌅✨

Happy New Year, Mollie ✨🎊🎉🥳🕛

I will reply by tomorrow!

💜 Anita

Hi Everyone:

Inspired by your most recent Zen story, Thomas, here’s another (from “101 Zen Stories”): A famous Zen master was known for giving long, profound lectures. One day, a student asked: “Master, how did you become so wise?”

The master replied: “When I was young, I decided I would meditate until I understood the truth of the universe. I sat for seven days without moving. On the seventh day, the Buddha himself appeared and revealed all the secrets of existence.”

The students gasped in awe.

Later that afternoon, a group of students tried the same thing. They sat in meditation for hours, then went to the master and said: “Master, we meditated all day, but the Buddha didn’t appear to us.”

The master smiled and said: “Ah. He probably didn’t come because he was still laughing about my story from this morning.” 🤣😆😂

Hello Confused:

I am feeling much better this morning, thank you!

“I for sure over analyzed everything because I was panicking… I have huge anxiety”-

What helps me in regard to anxiety is to have a daily routine, doing the same things every day, like participating in tiny buddha every single morning (and evening) as well as taking a long walk every day.

Do you have a daily routine, part of which is some form of physical exercise?

🤍 Anita