KC Lou

I keep crying to my mom that no one understands wtf I’m going through… That every day I feel like I’m fighting for my life. So I made these slides to share a little more about the process I’m going through. Day 201. I’m in it for the long haul. Please know, this is a personal choice, and there is NOTHING wrong with taking medication for your mental health, AT ALL!! You are strong. You are loved. 🫶🏻 I love you. 🤟🏼

Heartiversary 11 🫶🏻 I’ve gotten really good at journaling every morning. This morning was extra special. 11 years since open heart surgery. I love you.

Happy Day Two of Mental Health Awareness Month! Today’s Topic: Cold Plunging 🧊 After starting a more spiritual and holistic journey, I kept hearing about cold plunging. I was intrigued… but it sounded miserable 😂 A few years ago, I tried getting into the cold pool at Spa Castle (about 65°). I made it to my knees and said “nope… not for me.” A little over two years ago, I came across a reel from Andrew Huberman and decided to try again. So I booked a session at Sweathouz and committed to 3 minutes. The water was 38°… and brutal. But I stayed. I focused on my breath and pushed through. When I got out… the rush was unreal. Mentally, I felt AMAZING. There’s something powerful about choosing discomfort and proving to yourself you can handle it. It grounds you, clears your mind, and almost feels like hitting a reset on your nervous system. I did them consistently for about two years… then I stopped taking my meds. Ironically, when I probably needed it most, I couldn’t get myself to go. I’d book sessions but couldn’t get out of bed. Eventually I had to cancel my membership… and I missed it. Today, I did my first plunge in over two months. 3 minutes. 38°. And it was just as amazing as I remembered. I’m working on getting back into a routine because I can truly feel the difference. If you’ve been thinking about trying one… this is your sign 🤍 First two pics from today, third video from my cold plunge at retreat where I broke the record, saying in over 15 minutes. Something about being surrounded my a supporting group really makes it. 🫶🏻 #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealth #coldplunge #healingjourney

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Ironically, this photo popped up in my memories from 2020. I’ve been wanting to tell my story for a REALLY long time… but it’s hard, and I’m scared. Every time I start to feel ready, I shrink in fear. I follow so many women on social media who inspire me—women fighting the patriarchy, standing up for what they believe in, choosing different paths—and the unsolicited, unwarranted, and sometimes repulsive comments they receive honestly blow my mind. I know I’m going to have to grow thick skin to do this… So I’ll start with where I am now: Day 111 off my meds. And let me tell you—it’s a roller coaster. I started antidepressants when I was 15. Along the way, one stops working, so they add another… and another. Then anxiety shows up—add Xanax. You can’t sleep—add Trazodone. Nightmares—add Prazosin. Restless legs—add gabapentin. You lose focus—add Vyvanse. You crash in the afternoon—add Adderall boosters. Your heart races when you present—add Propranolol. And that’s just to name a few. I can’t count how many times I’ve tried to stop taking them. I’ve never made it past about three weeks… until now. 111 days. I’m not saying I’ll never take them again. And I am absolutely NOT saying there is anything wrong with medication. Please always do what is right for you and your body—you know yourself best. This is simply the path I’ve chosen for myself right now: to explore a more holistic way of living. By beginning to share my story, I hope not only to help others—but to find support, too. Because this isn’t easy… and we don’t have to do it alone. Follow along—and please, be kind. 🤍 #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealth #healingjourney #holistichealth

Yesterday I was doing breathwork at home and had a very real energetic release. IYKYK Normally I practice on a week day during the day when neighbors are out, but being iced in, my nervous system needed the release right then. My neighbor, out of genuine care, heard yelling and reached out to management to reach out to me to make sure I was okay. While it was a little embarrassing 😅, I was honestly touched by the concern. I baked her some gluten-free snickerdoodles and left a note to say thank you for being a caring neighbor. Breathwork is a powerful tool for moving stored emotion and energy — just maybe give your neighbors a heads up… or cookies 😂🍪 Check out @kindofcosmicpodcast first episode on Spotify to hear about why I love breathwork so much!

Working on my water color. And my mind set. 🎨💭

✨ Realign your energy ✨ Join me this Monday, Oct 27th from 5–6 PM at @breathemeditationandwellness for another Chakra Aligning Guided Sound Bath 🌈 We’ll use sound, breath, and intention to move through each of the 7 main chakras — clearing out stuck energy with the gong, tuning into healing frequencies with the crystal bowls, and ending with the ocean drum to wash it all away 💨🌊 You’ll leave feeling grounded, open, and deeply aligned. Reserve your spot now 💖 #chakrahealing #soundbath #chakraalignment #crystalbowls #dallassoundbath #meditationdallas

✨Realign. Restore. Receive.✨ Join me tomorrow from 5–6 PM at @breathemeditationandwellness for a Chakra Aligning Guided Sound Bath 🌈 We’ll clear stuck energy with the gong, then move through each chakra using crystal bowls, breath, and affirmations to bring your energy back into harmony. We’ll close with the ocean drum to wash away anything you’ve released. Come relax, reset, and realign 💫 #chakrahealing #soundbath #dallasevents #chakraalignment #authenticallykclou #breathemw #meditationdallas #crystalbowls

✨ Sound Bath Schedule ✨ I’m so excited to share my weekly offerings at @breathemeditationandwellness! These sessions are the perfect chance to pause, reset, and realign through the healing vibrations of sound. 🌊✨ 💛 Community Tuesdays – 10:00 AM (just $10 to drop in!) ☀️ Sundays – 12:00 PM (45-minute journey!) 🌈 Monthly Chakra Aligning – date varies, check @breathemeditationandwellness for upcoming times (1-hour experience!) Our Chakra Aligning Sound Bath is a deeper journey designed to guide you through each of the seven main chakras with intentional sounds and vibrations. You’ll be invited to tune into where your energy feels open or blocked, and leave feeling more balanced, grounded, and connected to your higher self. Each sound bath is an invitation to release what no longer serves you and reconnect with your highest self. Whether you’re new to sound healing or already love it, I’d be honored to hold space for you. #SoundBath #ChakraHealing #MeditationDallas #SoundHealing #ChakraBalancing #WellnessJourney #HealingVibrations #MindBodySpirit #DallasEvents #BreatheMeditation

$ASPARAGUS KITCHADI SERVES 3-4 Recipe by @simpleveda_ayurveda INGREDIENTS: 1 cup basmati rice ½ cup split yellow mung beans 5 to 8 cups pure water ½ b fresh asparagus (or zucchini, okra, carrot) 3 Tosp clarified butter or ghee 1 tsp yel$

ASPARAGUS KITCHADI SERVES 3-4 Recipe by @simpleveda_ayurveda INGREDIENTS: 1 cup basmati rice ½ cup split yellow mung beans 5 to 8 cups pure water ½ b fresh asparagus (or zucchini, okra, carrot) 3 Tosp clarified butter or ghee 1 tsp yellow (or brown) mustard seeds ½ tsp cumin powder 1 to 2 cloves freshly minced garlic (optional) pinch asafoetida powder (hing) ½ tsp turmeric powder / cup chopped cilantro (optional) Garnish with optional grated coconut, sea salt, fresh lemon for asparagus, or lime DIRECTIONS: Clean the rice and dal separately. It is easier that way to see and remove any debris or stones. Rinse two or three times in cool water, until the water runs clear. Add water to a medium sized, heavier bottom soup pan and bring to a boil. Allow rice and dal to simmer about 35 to 40 minutes while you prepare the spices and any desired vegetable in small diced pieces. When your rice-mung mix has cooked for about 30 minutes or more, heat a heavy skillet over a medium flame and add the ghee. Add mustard seeds to the hot pan, then cumin shortly thereafter with minced garlic. Within a few seconds mustard seeds will start to pop. When garlic is beginning to turn golden, add the asafoetida (or cumin, if using powder). Add asparagus or other vegetable and sauté briefly to sear and protect color. Add turmeric powder to warm with any other easier burning spices like nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, leafy herbs, cardamom and cayenne, just before you pour the oil, spices and vegetables directly into the boiling rice and dahl mixture. Cook until vegetables are tender. Reserve a teaspoon or so of cilantro per serving; add the rest to your pot just before removing heat source and cover. Serve with favored optional condiments, such as sea salt, cilantro, coconut, and a squeeze of lime. #ayurveda #kitchari #kitcharicleanse #simplevedarecipes