007 Notes to Self: Mental Health & the Power of Recording

The Human Archive

Welcome 🌱

Thank you for joining me once again on The Human Archive. If you are new here, I am so pleased you have found us. This podcast is a space to explore what it truly means to be human – to remember, to feel, to connect, and to speak honestly about life as it is right now. Today, and over the next few episodes, I am delving into a subject that is both tender and deeply personal: mental health and wellbeing. I am joined by some wonderful guests who will share their experiences, and together we will consider how recording our thoughts, feelings, and stories can offer healing.

Episode Summary 📝

In this episode, I reflect on the healing power of remembering and the importance of recording our lives. I share how the simple act of speaking into a voice note, without any intention to share it, can become a gentle ritual for checking in with ourselves. I discuss the invisible weight of mental health challenges and the comfort that comes from acknowledging what we carry. Through personal stories from my work as a doctor, I highlight how common struggles like anxiety, stress, and low mood are, and why our feelings are always valid, regardless of how they compare to others’ experiences. We talk about the science of negative self-talk, the protective nature of our brains, and practical ways to bring anxiety out of the shadows by naming and recording it. Finally, I invite you to pause, breathe, and consider what you are carrying that deserves to be acknowledged.

Key Takeaways ✨

• Recording your thoughts and feelings, even privately, is a powerful act of self-care and healing
• Mental health challenges affect so many of us, often in silence – your feelings are always valid
• Small rituals like voice notes can help you check in with yourself honestly and gently
• Speaking your truth, even if only to yourself, can loosen the grip of anxiety and shame
• Our brains are wired for negative self-talk, so intentional positive self-talk is essential
• Looking back on old recordings or journal entries can show you how far you have come
• You do not need to share your archive with the world – it is enough to witness yourself and your journey

Resources & Links 📚

• If you are struggling, please consider reaching out to your GP or a mental health professional
• For more on the science of memory and recording, visit Mind UK: https://www.mind.org.uk
• If you would like to explore journaling or voice notes, apps like Day One or your phone’s built-in recorder are a great place to start
• For updates and future episodes, follow The Human Archive on Instagram

Call to Action 💬

Before you go, I invite you to take a moment. Breathe. Ask yourself, “What am I carrying that deserves to be acknowledged?” Speak it aloud, write it down, or simply hold it in your mind. This is your archive and your care. Thank you for listening, and more importantly, thank you for listening to yourself. Keep recording, keep remembering, and keep showing up for your own story. I will be back soon with more. Until then, be gentle with your mind and keep speaking.

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Resources and Links:

• Website: https://escendant.ai
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanarchiveofficial/

Chapters

1. Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)

2. The Healing Power of Remembering (00:03:00)

3. Honest Mental Health Check-Ins (00:05:05)

4. Breaking the Silence (00:07:29)

5. Validating Feelings and Clinical Insights (00:09:07)

6. Naming Anxiety and Creating an Archive (00:11:20)

7. Reflection and Gentle Invitation (00:13:00)