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

Cristina Pajara: An Angel Arrives In Las Vegas

by | Sep 21, 2023 | Featured,Gurus Magazine,Home,Medical | 0 Comments

Cristina Pajara is living proof of two seemingly unrelated truths: The American Dream is alive and well and attainable to those with the drive and passion to pursue...

SLATE The Unveiling of a New Al Fresco Dining Area

by | Sep 2, 2023 | Celebrity,Gurus Magazine,Home | 0 Comments

Who said playgrounds were just for kids? The long weekend is here and we have just the spot to let your inner child lose, Slate Chelsea. A 16,000 square foot adult...

That’s the Spirit: CaskX Founder and CEO Jeremy Kasler Discusses What It Takes To Be A Player In Today’s Luxury Investment Market

by | Aug 31, 2023 | Gurus Magazine,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Jeremy Kasler had a business mindset early. Born in the UK and raised in Australia, the ambitious Kasler started out selling hot dogs when he was a wee lad. The...

A Day In The Life With Sandra Madjdi

by | Aug 25, 2023 | Gurus Magazine,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Name: Sandra Madjdi Occupation: Image architect/ Entrepreneur  Bit of bio: Sandra Madjdi is a celebrity stylist that goes above and beyond the traditional boundaries of...

Elton Ilirjani: Building Bridges To Equality

by | Aug 22, 2023 | Featured,Gurus Magazine,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Elton llirjani is building bridges to equality. The entrepreneur, fashion icon, and philanthropist who is taking global activism by storm is spearheading a new movement...

A Day In The Life with Joel Sebastian

by | Aug 11, 2023 | Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Name  Joel Vera Sebastian Occupation: International makeup artist Bit of bio:  Joel V Sebastian is a makeup artist based in Los Angeles. With a staggering two decades...

A Day In The Life: Ty-Ron Mayes

by | Jul 28, 2023 | Celebrity,Gurus Magazine,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Name: Ty-Ron Mayes Occupation: Celebrity Stylist Bit of bio: Ty-Ron Mayes has been immersed in the world of fashion, beauty and style for well over two decades. He...

Maricel Marcantoni Art Owns The Runway At Miami Swim Week® The Shows

by | Jul 21, 2023 | Celebrity,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

It was a hot balmy night on July 6 in South Miami Beach, Florida . The SLS Hotel  was packed with excited fashionistas as they awaited some of the most anticipated...

Mystic Tan and Norvell Introduced”Glow-bana” – A Spectacular Tanning Experience and Gifting Lounge at Miami Swim Week® – The Shows 2023

by | Jul 15, 2023 | Celebrity,Community Service,Gurus Magazine,Home,Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Miami Swim Week® The Shows delighted attendees this year with the introduction of the exclusive "Glow-bana" tanning experience, hosted by two of the nation’s most...