A Letter To Sobriety

by | Feb 7, 2023


My name is Guy Espley-Wilkes, and in 2015, I decided to get sober after so many years of being trapped in a toxic cycle of alcohol and substance abuse.  My mind, body and spirit were broken. Spiritual and emotional bankruptcy led to the belief that taking my own life was my only option if I were to find peace. This being the stark reality and seeing how comfortable I was with suicide being an option…I came to a realisation that I wasn’t going to accept that outcome as the end of my story in this life. With that, I made the decision to seek help and began the journey of understanding, introspection and clarity.

In 2014, the conversation surrounding mental health shifted – it became less of a stigma to openly talk about issues that were never spoken of before. Books and shows such as ‘13 Reasons Why’ pulled the door wide open when it came to talking about the rollercoaster of emotions that makes up depression.

Guy Espley Wilkes

 

And truth be told, the journey to get better has never been easy. The going gets tough, quite often.  So grounding myself is a daily responsibility. In doing so, I acknowledge how I’m feeling. The practice itself, helps me come to a place of acceptance that it’s okay not to be okay.

As cliche as it sounds, you’ve probably heard this from plenty of Wellness gurus and coaches. But journaling, meditation and breathwork practices work. Not only are these exercises I use in real time for relief and grounding, but it truly helps to put things in perspective.

Lately, breathwork has been a lifesaver in regulating my nervous system in times of anxiety and feeling overwhelmed, and that is when I analyse how I’m talking to myself in those moments. If the self-talk is becoming negative, I do my best to break the cycle through exercises centred around gratitude.

That is when I decided to help others with a project that is close to my heart.  It’s inspired by two words, both respectively in  Thai and Pali. “Prakay” means light/ignite/spark in Thai, and the word “Kaya” translates to the body. Prakaya Wellness stemmed from our own mental and spiritual health journeys. We are privileged individuals with access to mental health support during our darkest days. Our spiritual teachers, therapists, coaches, and supportive communities ignited our healing paths. We want to pay it forward by passing on the tools, knowledge and wisdom through our work at Prakaya to ignite the light within those struggling with internal challenges.

 

Being on this journey is not without its misconceptions, a lot of people who see us practice and advocate for the cause think that we must have it all together and know exactly what we’re doing all the time. The reality is, this just isn’t the case.

 I am far from having everything figured out, and there are still days when all I want to do is isolate myself, listen and feed into self-destructive thoughts and anxiously avoid all responsibilities.  The process of mental and emotional well-being is just that, a process. It is made up of peaks and valleys, lightness and darkness. The relief and clarity, however, come from the consistency of the practices you do for yourself. A question I ask myself is: How willing are you on a daily basis to take responsibility for how you’re feeling and showing up in the world?

 For more on Guy & Prakaya Wellbeing:

IG: iamguyespley | www.prakaya.co

Note: If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts please contact your emergency hotlines.

EIC: Derek Warburton | Edited by: Cyan Leigh Dacasin

 

 

You Might Also Like

Katy Perry Bonnie Lautenberg Gurus Magazine

Powerful Images of Women Championing Freedom by Bonnie Lautenberg

by | Mar 13, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

These artworks are especially trending during Women's History Month, and the months of March and April are peak tourism months when millions of travelers visit South...

Nikki Haskell for Gurus Magazine

Nikki Haskell: The OG-Influencer

by | Mar 8, 2023 | Celebrity,Featured,Home | 0 Comments

"If I can’t do it in High Heels, I’m not interested." The “Queen of New York” nightlife and entertainment news host has taken social media by storm. Nikki Haskell, an...

Who is the carrie bradshaw of he writing industry

Dear Paige – Who is the Carrie Bradshaw of the Publishing Industry?

by | Mar 6, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

The book publishing industry requires collaboration among players and a deep understanding of the market and readership trends, almost as difficult as understanding...

Miami Creative Movement

The Miami Creative Movement Extended by Popular Demand Through April 8th

by | Mar 2, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Due to popular demand, the Center for Visual Communication (CVC) in Wynwood is announcing the stellar exhibition featuring 15 of Miami’s leading artists – The Miami...

LOST SPIRITS -A Dashing Prohibition Era Rekindled

by | Mar 1, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Imagine strolling into an unassuming, seductive venue moderately lit by candlelight. The sultry and tantalizing space features exposed brick, leather banquets,...

Robyn NEwmark Hollywood Beauty Guru

Robyn Newmark On Perfect Skin Anytime, Anywhere

by | Feb 28, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

As the seasons change, so should your skincare regimen! Here’s your year-round treatment guide: Whether or not you notice, the changing weather hugely affects the...

Art Fair Philippines’ is Triumphant in Its Return As a Must – see For Philippine and Southeast Asian Contemporary Art

by | Feb 20, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

The return of the most exciting contemporary art curation in Southeast Asia - Art Fair Philippines made its mark as a triumphant success after a lull of 3 years due to...

Unity in Times of Adversity: DTLA Proud Releases Documentary, Pride in a Pandemic

by | Feb 8, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

“Raised by giants!” Resilience, community & grace -- Angelenos show the way through adversity with documentary World Premiere, “PROUD In a Pandemic”   On Feb 8...

A Letter To Sobriety

by | Feb 7, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

My name is Guy Espley-Wilkes, and in 2015, I decided to get sober after so many years of being trapped in a toxic cycle of alcohol and substance abuse.  My mind, body...