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From recently published research on JAMA Network Open, "...having a sense of purpose in life is associated with both physical and mental health and overall quality of life. Purposeful living has been defined in various ways. In general, purpose in life can be defined as “a self-organizing life aim that stimulates goals, ”promotes healthy behaviors, and gives meaning to life." Per the research on a cohort of nearly 7000 people over the age of 50, lack of life purpose is a modifiable risk factor associated with a higher level of mortality. [This research, like all, has limitations.] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2734064?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=052419 On the eve of a bright new year - my 2nd in WD - I am trying to develop goals that give meaning to my life. Since 2015, when I stopped working full-time, involuntarily, my purpose disintegrated. Not working is just one of the ways a person loses his or her sense life purpose. There are other ways to create purpose. Is anyone else attempting to formulate or consider new or existing goals while in WD? Or are they trying to get through day by day? The article cites interventions to improve life purpose, quality of life and various health outcomes with the goal of improving life purpose are volunteering, well-being therapy, and meditations. Mindfulness is also cited as one component of life purpose. Association Between Life Purpose and Mortality Among US Adults Older Than 50 Years Aliya Alimujiang, MPH1; Ashley Wiensch, MPH1; Jonathan Boss, MS2; et al Nancy L. Fleischer, PhD, MPH1; Alison M. Mondul, PhD, MPH1; Karen McLean, MD, PhD3; Bhramar Mukherjee, PhD1,2; Celeste Leigh Pearce, PhD, MPH1 Author Affiliations Article Information JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e194270. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.4270

Everyone that has followed my case, knows how much I have struggled over the past 5 years. Withdrawal has greatly improved, but I am left with an adequate memory impairment and some brain fog and anxiety and minor depression and probably some derealization etc. Well one month ago I was talking to some nutritionalists and dieticians and I watched "what the health" and this decision came to me like the perfect storm, kinda like when withdrawal hit. I went plant based one month ago and have already felt more energy, a touch of clarity and anxiety has gone down too. I just started ! Eating this way will detox the body, brain and soul. Cutting out meat and dairy , cut out so many toxins and chemicals that our bodies cannot process. When you go plant based, you eat lots of fruits, and a lot of veggies , and you get to create so many yummy meals. Facebook and the net have tons of groups and recipes to get started. If you can go "Raw Vegan" it really opens up the detox ports. You will really heal a lot of disease and disorders. The research speaks for itself. When you eat clean, you thrive. This may just help out on your withdrawal journey. Pm if you need any help~ everyone here was great and helpful in my recovery. Cheers

Jeff Foster talks about seeing depression from an 'awakened' perspective. "We can view depression not as a mental illness, but on a deeper level, as a profound, and very misunderstood, state of deep rest, entered into when we are completely exhausted by the weight of our own false story of ourselves..." While watching this video I could see how it might relate to many of us, desperately trying to uphold a life, reputation, roles and ideals which no longer seem possible.... "when we are completely exhausted by the weight of our currently unworkable story of ourselves" The original cause may be different, drug withdrawal rather than a natural evolutionary/spiritual process, but the effect is the same, that of being forced to slow down and rest in order for transformation and healing to occur.