“It’s Not That We’re Strange—It’s Just How Our Brains Work"

Breaking Free from Self-Blame

There were days when a single word

or an ambiguous glance could shatter our hearts.

“Am I too sensitive?”

“Why is my mental strength so weak?”

“Why do I keep blaming myself?”

We always looked for the cause within ourselves.

Was it our appearance? Our personality?

Or were we just inherently weak?

Then, one sentence stopped all those thoughts in their tracks:

“Maybe it’s just the way your brain is working.”

That single line became the first step in freeing us from years of guilt.

Depression and Anxiety Are Functions of the Brain

Depression isn’t a matter of weak willpower,

and anxiety isn’t a flaw in character.

Neuroscientist Alex Korb explains:

“Depression is a problem of communication

between the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex.”

The emotional turmoil we experience isn’t a sign of brokenness—

it’s simply the brain’s neural circuits sending signals.

Our feelings of anxiety, depression,

or self-blame aren’t evidence of failure;

they’re part of the brain’s natural operations.

True Comfort Begins with Understanding

Once we began to understand how the brain works,

we stopped blaming ourselves.

Instead of asking, “Why do I feel this way again?”

we started asking, “How is my brain working right now?”

This simple shift transformed self-blame

into understanding and powerlessness into observation.

Philosophically, this echoes Spinoza’s insight:

“We are not disturbed by things themselves,

but by the way we perceive them.”

Our emotions aren’t flaws to be fixed

they’re structures to be understood.

The Mechanism of Lethargy: The Brain Craves Purpose

When we’re overwhelmed, we often say:

“I can’t do anything right now. I just need to rest.”

But the brain doesn’t recharge simply by resting.

Neurologically, the brain allocates energy based on predictable goals.

Without something to anticipate, the brain concludes,

“There’s no reason to act,” and slips into low-power mode.

That’s the essence of lethargy.

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi notes

that the brain thrives in a state of “flow.”

A short walk, a plan to meet a friend,

or a small outing isn’t just a task

it’s a physiological stimulus that gives the brain a reason to move.

Philosophically, this aligns with Nietzsche’s idea:

“It is not suffering itself, but the meaninglessness of suffering,

that humans cannot endure.” The brain craves purpose.

Sensitive Brains Are Not Weak—They’re Protective

People who feel anxious easily often have a highly reactive amygdala,

the brain’s alarm system.

It detects danger and sounds the alert swiftly.

Our tendency to startle or spiral into anxiety

may actually be the brain’s attempt to protect us faster.

We used to interpret this as “We’re weak.”

But from an evolutionary psychology perspective,

a sensitive amygdala was a survival advantage.

Philosophically, Kant reminds us that humans

are not just rational beings but emotional ones too.

Anxiety isn’t a weakness—it’s part of our humanity.

So let’s reframe it: “We have brains that are wired to protect us.”

The Brain’s Flexibility: Change Is Possible

The brain isn’t a fixed machine.

Neuroplasticity shows that it can change through experience and practice.

“I’m just not good at this” is a limiting belief. Instead, try:

“I just haven’t practiced enough yet.”

Psychological studies, like the gratitude letter experiment,

demonstrate that even positive emotions can be strengthened through training.

Philosophically, this resonates with Aristotle’s wisdom:

“We are what we repeatedly do.”

Our brains can forge new emotional pathways with practice.

The Starting Point of Change: One Simple Question

All transformation begins with a single question:

“How is my brain working right now?”

This question turns self-blame into understanding,

despair into hope, and avoidance into training.

Neuroscience offers us an objective lens,

psychology provides practical tools, and philosophy adds meaning to our lives.

This question isn’t just curiosity

it’s evidence of a brain already growing.

A New Perspective on Understanding the Brain

We’re not strange. It’s just how our brains work.

Neuroscience reveals the biological roots of our emotions,

psychology offers tools for change, and philosophy gives us meaning.

Let’s stop blaming ourselves and start asking:

“How is my brain working right now?”

That question is the first step toward freedom and strength.