I hope Ren knows that there are great doctors out there like yourself, actually using his words to help your patients. That's the full circle the world needs right now.
He does. He has a great team in Calgary that he's going to keep checking in with after he moves to the US. His success in music is allowing him to pay for this. Ren's experience that he's expressing was largely in the NHS. All of our healthcare systems are deeply flawed in some way or another, but most of us who go into medicine or mental healthcare do it out of a genuine love for people and a desire to affect some good in the lives of individuals and society. Our intentions fall short when we allow ourselves to subsist in the issues or in our egos and modalities rather than thrive in a mission to do good.
Any of us who have been on any sort of mood stabiliser, can tell you - the meaning of chalk outlines. It's the feeling of being flat and empty inside. Yes - medication helps with low moods, but often it leaves you with no mood at all. My husband for example was on Gabapentin for pain, but Gabapentin is also used as a mood stabiliser. He realised that he could not remember the last time he had been truly happy in a long time, but also could not remember the last time he had been sad either - he was just always flat. This is what is being detailed in the song - who you are, your essence, is replaced with a functional human yes, but it's just an outline of who you were.
yep I know that feeling well, I describe it as becoming a zombie. My SSRI medication was effective for only a couple of months but the side effects are still with me.
That's a really beautiful interpretation of the phrase 'chalk outline'. The phrase reminds me of the chalk outlines seen around murder victims. Depression kills and those trying to stay alive are literally walking toe-to-toe with Death. ❤
@@singingsam40 it's like when you describe someone who has been through stuff as being "a shadow of their former self" - they are physically the same person in appearance (though often look a bit haggard), but everything they used to be, the things they were known for - is gone. They still exist, but it's a stretch to call them living
@user-gp8qo4zh1b The list of side effects were truly terrifying too - they mention on the list of side effects in the leaflet that although it has not been linked to taking the medication, some people have unexpectedly died - while taking the medication.
Chalk outlines makes me think of being a victim of a flawed system. Mental health and physical health issues are nearly always harder to seek treatment for than they should be. GP's will often gaslight you and try to send you home with a bandaid. It can take years to get proper diagnosis and treatment and if you are suffering from mental health issues on top of physical health issues doctors will often infantilize you, which just makes the whole process demoralising. You often feel like you can't question or dispute a diagnosis that in fact might not fit. Now you are just a victim (hence the chalk outline), condemned to balancing on your toes in the gallows because you still actually want to live. When you do find that treatment it is still a balancing act of medications, self-care, and support systems with professionals, family and friends. So you push it all back down, put on a smile and try and erase the suffering and forget. Maybe tomorrow you will be someone else. On a good day this song feels positive on a bad day I wonder why I bother. Early intervention is always better and yet here we are fighting against a system that often feels ill equipped to offer us a holistic approach to our mental and physical health issues. It leads to worse outcomes for us as people and as a society.
Ren reminded how un-alone I actually at a time I felt like the only one in the world with my issues. I'm 46 and have found it amazing how he bridges the generational gap. mental illness knows no age. To anyone struggling, hang in there. Tomorrow is a fresh start and another chance at this shit-show we call life.
Renegade long time Registered Mental Health Nurse here. Ren has given words here to describe feelings that so many patients over the years have struggled to find a way to explain how they feel. The Smile is something I always look out for. As a profession we ned to do better. There is still not enough research, not enough therapists, in the UK just not enough staff. I’ve been retired for 8 years and still work as MH is just not attracting people.
Ren is amazing. I am graduating with a PSY degree and his authenticity has inspired me to keep going. And Chinchilla writes my burn my bras fight the patriarchy songs.
You don't have to pause, If a copyright strike is placed on any of Ren's music he will personally have it removed and like most of us we will never complain about seeing the same piece twice in one session.
Chalk Outlines is a little more complex as three parties are involved according to the track credits on youtube and sp0t1fy: Ren and Chinchilla both have composer/lyricist/performance rights, and their previous management (XVII Music Group) have recording copyright. In terms of blocking - Ren, as you say doesn't seek to block. Chinchilla likewise supports reactors although is now signed to UMG's Island Records via her own dedicated imprint (Sam Tompkins is similarly signed to Island Records too). XVII, although doesn't appear to be active anymore, would be able to assert rights on a specific recording if they so wished; plus their head huncho was also a producer on the track (alongside Ren) and is still active in the music industry. RUclips itself may automatically block in any case, as the music is listed as being under various copyrights, even if none of these parties have asserted their rights - it's just the way RUclips works. Clearing a RUclips strike would require a request to go to all interested parties not just Ren's team. Hence it's probably still best for reactors to use a fair-use viewing approach with the song.
He's doing more work with chinchilla soon and Chalk Outlines has already been spoken about. No strikes involved as well as Ren and Sam plus The Big Push the band he was involved in. This was made before Chinchilla was signed by record company. Ren is staying independent as he's already worked with Sony before he fell ill .
I think this song is about physical health and treatment as much as mental health. Ren was misdiagnosed for several years and put on mental health medications which caused serious effects. He finally was correctly diagnosed with Lyme Disease and is currently receiving treatment for not only his physical illness but also for the damage that was caused by years of misdiagnosis and medications that were not actually benificial.
Just wanted to share my thoughts on the line "Little by little, bit by bit, I push it back down with a new habit." I'm living with persistent depression and anxiety. I see it from two perspectives. First, that people around you always expect you to do stuff to handle your dips and to see progress - if you just stick to this and this routine, you'll get back up there again. Take walks, brush your teeth. These "healthy" habits has a way of pushing it back. But not for long, just for a while. From an inside perspective, these healthy habits thing also becomes like a lifeline - if I just do this, then I'll be alright. It creates a fake sense of control - when I get up and do x, y and z, then I'll be ok. The rest of you don't have to worry, I've got this. So little by little, bit by bit, you push it back down with a new habit. But not for long, just for a while. It's like an endless loop where healthy habits of showering, brushing your teeths twice a day, eating regularly, handle work and talking walks gets you a sign of approval - of being ok. But it's the human doing that's ok, not the human being. You are not doing the stuff for yourself really, but to prove a point of being capable. But you still can't spend 5 minutes alone with yourself and be at peace. I love that line.
My father was a psychotherapist and passed just a few years ago. Even though he was 45 when I was born, he always loved listening to music with me, and I was perhaps more naturally prone to finding emotionally charged music due to having a parent that worked with mental health. Its a shame because I didn't discover Ren until a year after his passing - I am sure he would have LOVED to listen to Ren's discography and talk about it from a psychological / therapy aspect as well.
I don't know how you made it through the whole song without crying. I literally cannot make it through without sobbing. I don't suffer with depression but had a bit of it in the past and had a lot of anxiety issues too. But the lyrics and the vocals on this are so simple and so incredible at the same time. Pure brilliance ❤
Same. I notice that sometimes I’ll wake up with no anxiety, soon as I realise that, the anxiety comes. It’s so habitual now that I’m scared when I’m ok to be happy about that because I’m then waiting for the dark to smother the light.
I feel like everything Ren does in his music, voice, and videos is deliberate. It is meticulous yet, it feels so natural. He has learned how to convey mental illness beyond the confines of language.
I watched Chinchilla little girl gone after seeing this video originally, she’s an absolute powerhouse with her vocals ❤she gives me this inner courage everytime I hear it.
Thank you for being so genuine. Seeing you react with such empathy almost makes me cry, which I have been largely unable to do for a number of years. My therapist has empathy. I love it that you guys are in the fields you are in. And thank you for the intro to Ren.
You don’t know how it makes me feel to know that I’m not the only one that feels. I almost killed my self but ren actually made me try life he is wat is great in life I can’t never be thankful. And thank you for your kind words
Thanks for another great reaction. 🙂 Another great duet is 'Ren ft. Bibi - Crutch'. It's heartbreaking, beautiful and deep. It has a great no-budget video as well. 'Crutch' comes from Rens darkest days, when he really thought he would'n live much longer.
How To Be Me ft Chinchilla LIVE VERSION is def next 🔥 Humble ft Eden Nash is an amazing, uplifting palate cleanser... Penitence ft Molly McKenna is my fave. Kind of like slam poetry/spoken word about his struggles at the time. Crutch ft Bibi is old but its when he was deep in his illness and the effect it had on his relationship. So many amazing songs.
3am is my waking time with nightmares (chronic CPTSD, depression, anxiety, agoraphobia) - so much of what Ren writes hits the nail on the head - cheers from rural Qld Doctor.
After watching Hi Ren and Sick Boy, I was a bit relieved to see that Ren had someone to share his mental health experience, he wasn't alone. I think of this location, not as the mental health ward proper, but the basement that they just happened to sneak into! I've been depressed, dysthymia, since childhood and have never taken anti depressants. To me, it's just part of reality. Life sucks, deal with it!
The best musical “siblings”. Ren has called her his sister from another mister and a female version of himself due to their similar approach to music. For me I think it shows in the fact that they both have that something special that draws you in and demands attention. To see it fully for Chinchilla, check out her live version of Fingers. This song always reminds that one of the (many) things that makes Ren so great is his ability to know exactly when to be complex, keep it simple, or even use silence to get his message across. He isn’t flexing his guitar skills in this, just playing exactly what is needed with that beautiful guitar tone. And my favourite line in this is so simple, totally devoid of all the clever metaphors that he is so good at using, but it hits soooo hard: “I’m scared of being okay cause all things change”. I think anyone who has been through any struggles can relate to that feeling of not trusting that anything good will last. You can’t just enjoy it because you’re busy worrying about how long it will last and the feeling that will come when it’s gone. And then good days just make the darkness feel so much worse because you remember the light that’s gone… Ren is so special. He keeps being so relatable that it reminds us that we’re not alone. And we will always make room for more RENegades down the Ren rabbit hole cause we all need his light in the darkness 🐰🕳️ If you want more emotional singing from Ren, please check out one of my personal favourites: Crutch feat. Bibi. It’s an older song from before he was finally correctly diagnosed with Lyme disease and was written after a breakdown following multiple emergency trips to the hospital. It is heart wrenching and beautiful. And very different from everything else in his catalogue.
I absolutely love this song! Thanks for reacting to it :) the ideas of being on your toes in the gallows and scared of being ok explained my life for 5 years while working through the hardest parts of therapy. Now I can watch it and be so thankful for how much meds and therapy have helped and how much better my life is now.
Stay on the journey, Doc! Help that tide rise us all… Here is an added detail that blew my mind: remember during the walking intro, that sharp sound from snapping open the folding chair? and remember that Ren focuses on being scared of feeling ok? Sooo, what is the technical term for the fear of being happy (from the Greek)? : cherophobia. Ren leaves absolutely nothing to chance, and packs in details that only elevate his art and our experience…
**ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED** congratulations! You have discovered new ren friend chinchilla 😊 she has a few other collabs with ren along with some upcoming ones and has great solo stuff 💜💜
I've seen a trend for reactors that works pretty good. You listen to the full song all the way through and then listen to it again where you pause to add in your thoughts. That way you get the first reaction of the song as a whole and then the reaction of the moments that you want to express.
What do you think about the line “ Such a perfect day , take it just in case, just in case” “ I’m scared of being okay cause all things change all things change”
I love your reactions! I suggest listening to Mackay with no pause because he does not need words. Another big one is the tale of Jenny and screech 3 videos, but I suggest to watch and react in one take (I think you might find it intresting to analyse it). And other good ones are For Joe, how to be me live/acoustic (with chinchilla)
You are my favorite reactor on RUclips. You always say the best responses, you talk about the logical psychological aspect, you talk about the feelings, & you always say things that are fully relatable to me as a depressed person. You are doing the lords workkkk 👏 👏
Dr. Syl, is it true you haven’t listened to the full Tale of Jenny & Screech by Ren yet? I’m flabbergasted! Your insight and impressions about it would be fascinating. Lovely and informative reaction as always!
Shared your channel on my social media. You have helped me to learn more about my own mental health as well as that of my clients--I'm a case manager for a program that helps the homeless. I'm in Michigan in the US. While homelessness may not be as big an issue in Australia, I wonder if you could speak a bit about how homelessness changes a person's mental health. We know its impacts are massive, but is there a specific approach doctors take when treating mental health in homeless or formerly homeless people? Most of my clients have some form of mental illness that affects their life even long after they are housed, like PTSD and anxiety disorders. Thanks for your work. Blessings.
I just discovered your site this evening. Always looking for new Ren folks. Anyway I've enjoyed it so far still listening to the video. But I wanted to take a second and give a suggestion. You mentioned how you hate pausing and you're getting into the music... I understand that but one thing you could do that I find helps keep the flow on a I understand that but one thing you could do that I find helps keep the flow is it when you do pause skip back a few seconds or so and replay the end of what you had just done to go on into the new part. He's a little more continuous. Like in this one you stopped and when you picked it back up it was immediately Chinchilla .. the whole flow from Ren into her sound ended up being lost. Just an idea.
@@DrSyl The Big Push , Ren and his mates were in a band together before they went solo careers. More cover songs that are on their RUclips channel but there's a few they wrote themselves. You should check them out ✌🏻😎🏴
As someone who has lived with MDD for most of my adult life, I get a mixed feeling of hope and sorrow from this song. To me the base message I take is to just keep going, be open to trying something new. Change is scary, but the only way to feel the way I want to is to keep trying new 'habits'. For me, masking helps to be high functioning. I hope I won't always need it, but it's just another tool in my kit.
My goodness you describe me so well lol. I've had major depressive disorder since I was about 13. I'm 45 now. My little rubber bands in my brain that release all the chemicals are absolutely fried by me trying to find happy, find normal for well over 25 years. So I have no idea what my base level is anymore. It kinda scares me. But yes I'm one that it takes a while to get to sleep, though seroquel helps, maybe 10pm or so but hooooboy I'm up at 2 or 3 & it's rough. The depression really kicks in & I have to watch stuff to keep me a bit elevated until I'm ready to zonk out again. Sometimes it will take me ages to get to sleep & get up at 9am of my own volition. I have nightmares that are so wildly vivid I often have to walk around my house to ground myself. It's horrid. 11 years of extreme domestic violence will do that. And I'm the Queen of masks lol. But it's how I get by. I mean I became a youth worker specialising in mental health. I loved it but I'm burnt out now. So I look after me & my cats. Bought a cottage in the country in Vic & live a very different lifestyle than I used to. My psychologist is retiring this year & services aren't so great out here. I've not had a psychiatrist for ages, my guy in the city was a bulk biller & he was great. I know he does a lot of seminars & stuff, he taught me heaps. I'm a forever student. People & brains will never not fascinate me
This absolutely takes me back to getting my diagnosis and all the misses and awful side effects before I finally found a medication that worked for me. It can be a rough ride getting there.
That was cool to hear you say how it's an actual feeling cuz I used to have really bad anxiety anxiety attacks and they would just come usually I'd be doing drugs and and I hated it and then I would hate myself and it would just be a whole vicious cycle I'm clear that nowadays so I'm very grateful but I sit there and I couldn't breathe like normal breaths I'd have to take deep breaths hold my breath I don't know what that is but it literally make like sounds groans and actually say ow I'm actually getting sad now talking about my past so I'm going to stop but I'm glad people like you are on the internet and people like REN
Haven't heard Chinchilla before 😲. Then you missed something. There is another duet of them: "Ren X Chinchilla - How To Be Me (Live)". Absolute great and worth listening. But Chinchillas own songs are great as well: FINGERS Live for HungerTV (it's a 💎), Little Girl Gone (Official Music Video) and Cut You Off (Official Video) are the most famous ones. Her latest 'MF Diamond (Official Video)' is great as well.
As someone who got her first depression diagnosed at the age of five, I appreciate your videos immensely. Just wanted you to know that aaaaand, if, just IF you feel like you need some female cathartic music: Little Girl Gone and Fingers (live version) with Chinchilla. Thank you! Much love, From STHLM, Sweden
@@sejbomb she gives a voice to every female alive, since there's not anyone alive who hasn't been abused by a man. I mean, girl... DING DING HOLD MY EARRINGS FOR MY DEBUT! 😸🖤
I'm unsure if you've already reacted to this, but Ren has a song called Diazepam. My interpretation when he says he'll push it down with a new habit is that or another drug given for treatment. That's what the line of it's such a beautiful day, take it just in case is referencing. As well as she was saying there's a pill for everything. Since I am in his shoes, I take this song to be about the drugs given to mentally unwell patients to cover up the real issue. It numbs you; you are just a shell of your former self. You are a chalk outline because you are dead inside and feel nothing.
This song cuts deep with me. Ive been consistently changing meds because it stops working. Theres always something new. I have severe depression and im still trying to figure out how to live my life and begin to trust people. Im 29 this month seems like most of my life has been new meds and new diagnosis
I have been blessed with really good therapist and doctors in the past that really helped me a lot..... I love Ren and his music.... This is one of my very favorite Ren songs, I cry almost every time I hear it .. touches my soul.... Chinchilla sounds amazing.... I don't know why, but I imagine that Ren and chinchilla, all dressed in white, are ghosts that come across each other and lament and wale their pain to each other. It's powerful and beautiful Thanks for the reaction Peace
I'd never heard about the baby's learning trust through crying and having someone fix what ails them. You are a very insightful person and one of my new favorite reactors. Have a subscribe my friend.
Hello... I just seen your reaction to Ren and now I'm about to watch this one. Thanks because I personally am having a hard time even getting help at the moment and believe me I keep trying... Now I have a terminal diagnosis and it seems to be harder for mental help...
Personally as a person with a long history of bad mental health. When I listen to the chalk outline lyric, to me when taking an ssri it almost feels like your living in a fuzzy outline to a point that you think is this me or the medication. It’s hard to describe
I've never heard a mental health professional mention acetylcholine before. I have Myasthenia Gravis (an autoimmune disease that attacks acetylcholine) and we're kind of famously (within our community) diagnosed with conversion disorder. It's miserable and so many have been on the verge if respiratory failure or actively in it before being accurately diagnosed. I was told I was just a "tired mom" by one doctor as I struggled to see, breathe, swallow, talk, and walk. Thankfully I finally got help and after 5 years am fairly stable with treatment. Ren gives me hope and listening to reactors like you with so much kindness and empathy does too. ❤️
Wonderful reaction. Thank you. New subscriber! As for feeling like you can't watch entire music videos without pausing to comment, I invite you to be true to what you're feeling rather than succumbing to any sense of obligation to meet some viewers' expectations or preferences. Those who value your input will happily stay to listen to your comments after the video ends. Many of us actually prefer it so as not to interrupt the flow, which can at times lessen the initial emotional impact of the song. I follow several reaction channels where the video plays uninterrupted. Some reactors take notes to refer to later. This is YOUR channel. You get to choose how to run it. Naysayers can always choose to go elsewhere. You offer great insight and analysis and heartfelt reactions (it's okay to cry - many of us do). Authenticity is so important. Grateful to have you spreading Ren's (and Chinchilla's) message. Chinchilla (Daisy) is a force in her own right. I'm going to check out your other Ren reactions. If you haven't yet done their 'How to Be Me' I highly recommend it. 🙋♀️💖
I love watching your reaction videos. Especially when it’s Ren! Side Note:: Not to sound creepy but you have a really kind face. You are laid back and honest. You will be an exceptional psychiatrist! Your warm demeanor and care for those with mental illness is obvious. Thank you for entering a profession that needs more people like you. ❤
"There are no winners or losers in *psychological warfare*....." which can be related to mental illness, but I wouldn't say they're synonymous (like pledge and donate!) You also assumed that the setting is a psych hospital when there's nothing in the video to indicate that, as far as I can tell. I'm always interested when I hear peoples interpretation of "what Ren's saying." You're a mental health specialist, you heard that line as "mental health has no winners or losers..." I know my own interpretations are rooted in my own history and belief, so hearing others' interpretations is like seeing their momentary perspective. Thanks for another great Ren reaction!
This song is resonating with me so immensely today and as I have tears of pain running down my cheek, during: “… I push it back down with a new habit, if not for long just for a while I bury myself with a great big smile”, I’m struck by the fact that the chords he’s playing are so upbeat and the melody is more upbeat during that part and the juxtaposition of the lyrics and the beat is so haunting. Also just had to throw this out there to see if you have heard of Ketamine (nasal spray) being beneficial for G.A.D. ? My psych is on the fence with letting me try because they just got approved to provide it but I cannot find a lot of scholarly articles on it.
I only found your channel a couple of days ago, but have now watched all of your Ren reactions and some other videos too. Very good stuff, I love learning new things from people who know what they're talking about! (Yes, I did subscribe too.) Ren is my latest musical obsession, but I'm always attracted to songs that make me really feel something. Most of my all time favourites are songs I can very rarely listen to, need to be in a safe headspace first. Songs like "4st 7lb" (anorexia) and "Black Dog On My Shoulder" (depression) by the Manic Street Preachers, or "Bronte" (death of a family pet) and "Eyes Wide Open" (climate change) by Gotye. (Yes, the same guy who also wrote Somebody That I Used to Know. Somehow his much better songs never reached the big audience.) None of those have been big hits, which I can sort of understand, since I'd be a mess if any of the songs that tend to make me cry was played in the radio while I'm out in the public. Maybe that's why most of the music in the top charts is such shallow crap, now that I think about it.
So glad you did this! Ren is able to express the inner turmoil of mental health in a way that as a fellow sufferer, makes me weep -- but only because I can hear -- I can really hear it -- that I'm not alone. None of us are. Feeling completely disconnected from every other human being is something that I struggle with every moment of my existence. And then Ren comes along and says more with one opening chord, than any other artist, loved one or doctor, and shatters the isolationist in me. There have been many musicians that have been able to reach down and touch that pain, but none of them ever bring me to any kind of positivity. Don't get me wrong; this is not a song about positivity, and maybe if I hadn't heard his other music and his own story before I wouldn't see it here. But just by being who he is as he expresses himself and sings with all of his heart, he is able to help me find the reserves to get up again. The damn thing is I am not a crier. My mom can count on one hand how many times she's seen me cry. But here I am babbling like a baby again. And Chinchilla! Woah! She actually manages to steal the show from Ren here, just such a beautiful voice, a beautiful person. I will never meet these two, ever, and I don't have a problem with parasocial behavior. But I love them both, to the end of time, for helping my soul to sing. Thank you for bringing this to an even wider audience, Dr. Syl. Where you find the time to make all these videos for us, it must cost you something dear. It's a sacrifice that doesn't go unseen.
Ngl, this video was amazing. When you spoke at the end it was a literal light bulb moment for me. Didn't expect to learn something like this today lol. Thanks and have a sub!
I really appreciate your reaction and that you’re taking the time, because so many haven’t found a good psyche like you. Just wanted to mention I believe chalk outlines really symbolizes what these mood stabilizers make you feel. Flat, sometimes no highs, no lows, almost walking around dead! Also if you see this, I began Zoloft at age 16. Moved through Prozac, Celexa, Prozac again, lamictal, sertraline and finally with a good dr. Onto a large dose of Prestiq combined with some Cymbalta( I have a muscular degenerative disease causing major muscle pain). And the added Klonaplin. Wondering what the main difference between how Prestiq works compared with other Ssri’s???
Great reaction! As a huge Ren fan and someone who's suffered with depression for about 45 years, I had a different reaction to the "new habit". Cynically, it is simplistic. But for me, behavior changes have truly led to psychological changes. If it's just "pushing it back down" that's one thing, but in my experience true and deep transformation has followed focused behavioral changes (exercise, journaling, socializing, automatic thought/rational response and other techniques) coupled with meds. Interesting side note: in March 2020, as the entire world shut down, I discovered I had a massive but benign brain tumor. Surgery was successful, and since the moment I woke up a lifetime of depression seemed to have disappeared. Even though brain damage has radically disrupted my entire life, I have not had even a moderate depressive episode since. Very interesting. Just a few weeks ago I started getting extremely angry, so it's to therapy I go to deal with that. When I told my GP I was so angry, he sighed, smiled, and said "I've been waiting." Thanks for a fantastic channel. Ren brought me here, but I'm staying for the full range of your content.
Damn bro, only found you last week about you reacting to people's traumas. I suffer from mental health and this was an awesome and genuine breakdown of Ren, who is one my favourite artists. Also, your breakdown at the end describes my upbringing, a mixture of the two factors and has really shaped how I view the world to this date....at nearly 45 years old. Much love brother 💚
Feeling empty inside, more introverted, the feeling of not belonging, a persistent sadness, amongst other symptoms, forces (me in this instance) to create a mask to be able to function in society. And after decades of hiding behind the mask, it slips, or becomes loose and full blown depression rapidly advances filling (me) with anxiety and loss of hope. Who was the real me, can the me in this present day (created by the mask) find hope in just simply 'being'. Hope and ambition have putrefied long ago, so what is the reason to carry on.. .. for me it is not utilising the psychological crutch I have (about 20 different types of meds prescribed over the years), which are my quick and painless way out.. . but instead I cling to the VERY faint hope that a better tomorrow will come, even though the logical side of me KNOWS for a fact that, that day will never come. I am broken and discarded by the system that only knows how to be drug pushers. Ren's music, story and personality are the mainstay of the vague hope of a better tomorrow (but a magic wand he does not have)
One of the reasons I like Adele's Easy On Me is bc it somehow gives us permission to forgive our younger & current selves. This song does that for me too
Dr Syl, you're doing a wonderful job. I love your approach to helping people with mental illness. just a point though, in SA mental illness hospitals are very under resourced and are not providing what you talk of. My son sees little hope and I wish I could help, but I can't. I can only be there for him.
I subscribed cause love you and absolutely love REN. All my best to you. I feel you gave his music justice I’m one of those that proclaim I loved him before… .
Really enjoyed your take on this, I’ve seen it plenty of reactions to this song and always notice in the comments a ‘anti psych med’ narrative but the vast majority of people benefit from them and I have myself regarding depression but they don’t work forever on some individuals unfortunately and you are left with deep treatment resistant depression, I’ve seen the clinical trials on treatments such Psilocybin showing a lot of promise, from personal experiences the line ‘ I push it back down with a new habit’ is self medicating with drugs just to feel normal even just for a few hours which brings it’s own problems and is no way recommended bit this is the beauty of art we can all relate to it through our own personal lenses and experiences
I take issue with your " vast majority of people benefit from them " I've looked and can't find any studies that back that up The "Chalk Outline" side effect is most certainly a thing, although you won't find it listed in any known side effects. Turning into a zombie is how I described my own experience and it was only after watching this song last year did I discover how prevalent it is.
@@seth1455 I know exactly what the song is about and that’s the reason I stopped taking antidepressants, I stand by the statement with most people a short course of medication can help them get through a negative time in their lives and that’s just antidepressants I said anti psych meds because people with schizophrenia or bipolar or other serious mental health problems wouldn’t be able to live relatively stable lives without them
New subscriber and Renegade. I have been binging on your Ren reactions. This one really helped me understand some of my lifelong issues with CPTSD/DID. Anyway, we are so sorry to see that you didn’t hit your 100k goal by your birthday. You’ve earned our respect and our support as a channel subscriber. There were multiple (hahaha pun intended) comments that you’d made that resonated deeply. The Mask. Yes. Our forward facing Protector wears a Great Big Smile. It’s a bit between of a middle finger at the world and a Keep Back snarl. (Yeah, we’ve got work to do) We are several decades older than you and Ren. I’m a grannyrenegade 😉 After moving to a new home w hubby after 30yrs in the same place, and covid lockdowns we got catapulted into a long freeze response. Knowing that was not healthy, we spent the next four years chasing possible care providers. Five failed interviews and attempts to find a therapist with enough experience to actually help; so I’ve decided to go back to work self educating. Ren’s music has put some major cracks in the ice and isolation. The reaction channels have added some more pieces toward validation and healing. It’s a wonderful community. I found Janina Fisher’s old tomb on Healing Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors. It’s ok, but still the text wasn’t connecting. We intellectually understand what the book is about, but deeper feelings about it are elusive. It’s too easy for us to be detached and clinical. The Mother was a primary abuser, in a long line of people. Your chat at the very end about attachment theory was delivered in such a relatable manner that it finally really resonated. We knew from third party sources that she was extremely neglectful, abusive, and unavailable. Thank you for hitting the jackpot with your direct and concise explanation of the progression of developmental stages and that #1 is TRUST. Upon which all other emotional connection and understanding of functional life skills are built. We had never really seriously or fully considered and connected ourselves emotionally with the damage that came at that early stage. It also explains why there is a void in our system where she is concerned. Why we’ve never related to other people’s feelings about family attachments. We know the socially acceptable ways to respond, but have only learned to model behavior based on other people’s responses in those situations that require us to engage. We know we should express feelings or empathy, but there’s no frame of reference or emotional intelligence to draw on. Things make better sense now. We’ve always been told, “insecure attachment,” blah, blah, blah. They were just empty words. It never felt like a description that fit the internal narrative. When the Student is ready, the Teacher will appear. Thank you for sharing this reaction to Chalk Outlines. Very much appreciated!
Chaulk outline, because the medicine makes you empty inside, dead on the inside. Killing the real you, erasing yourself. And still you rely on it, being scared to let go off it. Scared of being ok, afraid to feel, it will not last and it hurts waking up.This is saver, this is familiar.
New sub. I am hoping you were able to hear Ren's 8 chapter bio outlining his medical issues over the last 10 years. If not, they are on his second channel "Ren Makes Stuff" Hopefully others can be spared the suffering he faced, with proper testing.
My thought on the line about having a new habit may be an attempt to find some easement or escape but as ren probably knows well, that's not a permanent solution, it's temporary.
Hey Dr. Syl, if you enjoyed this one, you really have to react to ‘How to Be Me’ by Ren and Chinchilla, especially the live version! There is so much power in their performance, and the lyrics and meaning of the song are even more powerful!
Hello from Poland love Your reaction I just subscribed. "I push it back down with a new habbit" for me means that Im trying to get out of one habit/addiction by taking another habbit. From my poit of wiev as a sleeping pills addict
I hope Ren knows that there are great doctors out there like yourself, actually using his words to help your patients. That's the full circle the world needs right now.
He does. He has a great team in Calgary that he's going to keep checking in with after he moves to the US. His success in music is allowing him to pay for this. Ren's experience that he's expressing was largely in the NHS. All of our healthcare systems are deeply flawed in some way or another, but most of us who go into medicine or mental healthcare do it out of a genuine love for people and a desire to affect some good in the lives of individuals and society. Our intentions fall short when we allow ourselves to subsist in the issues or in our egos and modalities rather than thrive in a mission to do good.
Any of us who have been on any sort of mood stabiliser, can tell you - the meaning of chalk outlines. It's the feeling of being flat and empty inside. Yes - medication helps with low moods, but often it leaves you with no mood at all. My husband for example was on Gabapentin for pain, but Gabapentin is also used as a mood stabiliser. He realised that he could not remember the last time he had been truly happy in a long time, but also could not remember the last time he had been sad either - he was just always flat. This is what is being detailed in the song - who you are, your essence, is replaced with a functional human yes, but it's just an outline of who you were.
yep I know that feeling well, I describe it as becoming a zombie. My SSRI medication was effective for only a couple of months but the side effects are still with me.
That's a really beautiful interpretation of the phrase 'chalk outline'. The phrase reminds me of the chalk outlines seen around murder victims. Depression kills and those trying to stay alive are literally walking toe-to-toe with Death. ❤
@@singingsam40 it's like when you describe someone who has been through stuff as being "a shadow of their former self" - they are physically the same person in appearance (though often look a bit haggard), but everything they used to be, the things they were known for - is gone. They still exist, but it's a stretch to call them living
@user-gp8qo4zh1b The list of side effects were truly terrifying too - they mention on the list of side effects in the leaflet that although it has not been linked to taking the medication, some people have unexpectedly died - while taking the medication.
Chalk outlines makes me think of being a victim of a flawed system. Mental health and physical health issues are nearly always harder to seek treatment for than they should be. GP's will often gaslight you and try to send you home with a bandaid. It can take years to get proper diagnosis and treatment and if you are suffering from mental health issues on top of physical health issues doctors will often infantilize you, which just makes the whole process demoralising. You often feel like you can't question or dispute a diagnosis that in fact might not fit. Now you are just a victim (hence the chalk outline), condemned to balancing on your toes in the gallows because you still actually want to live. When you do find that treatment it is still a balancing act of medications, self-care, and support systems with professionals, family and friends. So you push it all back down, put on a smile and try and erase the suffering and forget. Maybe tomorrow you will be someone else.
On a good day this song feels positive on a bad day I wonder why I bother.
Early intervention is always better and yet here we are fighting against a system that often feels ill equipped to offer us a holistic approach to our mental and physical health issues. It leads to worse outcomes for us as people and as a society.
Another Ren and Chinchilla song you should check out is "How to be Me." The live version. Thank you.
I concur
How to be Me live has become one of my absolute favorites. Probably listened 30+ times and I could listen again anytime any day!
Ren reminded how un-alone I actually at a time I felt like the only one in the world with my issues. I'm 46 and have found it amazing how he bridges the generational gap. mental illness knows no age. To anyone struggling, hang in there. Tomorrow is a fresh start and another chance at this shit-show we call life.
I agree with everything u said.. this song hits me really hard...every damn time😭😭
Renegade long time Registered Mental Health Nurse here. Ren has given words here to describe feelings that so many patients over the years have struggled to find a way to explain how they feel. The Smile is something I always look out for. As a profession we ned to do better. There is still not enough research, not enough therapists, in the UK just not enough staff. I’ve been retired for 8 years and still work as MH is just not attracting people.
Ren is amazing. I am graduating with a PSY degree and his authenticity has inspired me to keep going. And Chinchilla writes my burn my bras fight the patriarchy songs.
Great to hear you're doing the psych degree - keep going - we need more mental health professionals.
What patriarchy?
You don't have to pause, If a copyright strike is placed on any of Ren's music he will personally have it removed and like most of us we will never complain about seeing the same piece twice in one session.
Chalk Outlines is a little more complex as three parties are involved according to the track credits on youtube and sp0t1fy: Ren and Chinchilla both have composer/lyricist/performance rights, and their previous management (XVII Music Group) have recording copyright.
In terms of blocking - Ren, as you say doesn't seek to block. Chinchilla likewise supports reactors although is now signed to UMG's Island Records via her own dedicated imprint (Sam Tompkins is similarly signed to Island Records too). XVII, although doesn't appear to be active anymore, would be able to assert rights on a specific recording if they so wished; plus their head huncho was also a producer on the track (alongside Ren) and is still active in the music industry. RUclips itself may automatically block in any case, as the music is listed as being under various copyrights, even if none of these parties have asserted their rights - it's just the way RUclips works.
Clearing a RUclips strike would require a request to go to all interested parties not just Ren's team. Hence it's probably still best for reactors to use a fair-use viewing approach with the song.
He's doing more work with chinchilla soon and Chalk Outlines has already been spoken about. No strikes involved as well as Ren and Sam plus The Big Push the band he was involved in. This was made before Chinchilla was signed by record company. Ren is staying independent as he's already worked with Sony before he fell ill .
I think this song is about physical health and treatment as much as mental health. Ren was misdiagnosed for several years and put on mental health medications which caused serious effects. He finally was correctly diagnosed with Lyme Disease and is currently receiving treatment for not only his physical illness but also for the damage that was caused by years of misdiagnosis and medications that were not actually benificial.
They're tremendous together. Their other song, How to be Me (live) is also hugely tied in to mental health and very moving and powerful.
You, Dr. impress me. My son has autism and schizo afftive disorder. The mental "world" can use more like you.
One of the good things about Ren is that he doesn't copyright claim videos, so you can watch and feel his videos, then talk about them 🙂
Just wanted to share my thoughts on the line "Little by little, bit by bit, I push it back down with a new habit." I'm living with persistent depression and anxiety. I see it from two perspectives. First, that people around you always expect you to do stuff to handle your dips and to see progress - if you just stick to this and this routine, you'll get back up there again. Take walks, brush your teeth. These "healthy" habits has a way of pushing it back. But not for long, just for a while.
From an inside perspective, these healthy habits thing also becomes like a lifeline - if I just do this, then I'll be alright. It creates a fake sense of control - when I get up and do x, y and z, then I'll be ok. The rest of you don't have to worry, I've got this. So little by little, bit by bit, you push it back down with a new habit. But not for long, just for a while.
It's like an endless loop where healthy habits of showering, brushing your teeths twice a day, eating regularly, handle work and talking walks gets you a sign of approval - of being ok. But it's the human doing that's ok, not the human being. You are not doing the stuff for yourself really, but to prove a point of being capable. But you still can't spend 5 minutes alone with yourself and be at peace.
I love that line.
Speaking of it, the theme reminds me of Radiohead's "Fitter happier" and "No surprises".
My father was a psychotherapist and passed just a few years ago. Even though he was 45 when I was born, he always loved listening to music with me, and I was perhaps more naturally prone to finding emotionally charged music due to having a parent that worked with mental health. Its a shame because I didn't discover Ren until a year after his passing - I am sure he would have LOVED to listen to Ren's discography and talk about it from a psychological / therapy aspect as well.
I don't know how you made it through the whole song without crying. I literally cannot make it through without sobbing. I don't suffer with depression but had a bit of it in the past and had a lot of anxiety issues too. But the lyrics and the vocals on this are so simple and so incredible at the same time. Pure brilliance ❤
Such an incredible song! The part about being scared of being okay really hit me. Thanks for this fantastic reaction 💜💜
Same. I notice that sometimes I’ll wake up with no anxiety, soon as I realise that, the anxiety comes. It’s so habitual now that I’m scared when I’m ok to be happy about that because I’m then waiting for the dark to smother the light.
I feel like everything Ren does in his music, voice, and videos is deliberate. It is meticulous yet, it feels so natural. He has learned how to convey mental illness beyond the confines of language.
I watched Chinchilla little girl gone after seeing this video originally, she’s an absolute powerhouse with her vocals ❤she gives me this inner courage everytime I hear it.
Thank you for being so genuine. Seeing you react with such empathy almost makes me cry, which I have been largely unable to do for a number of years. My therapist has empathy. I love it that you guys are in the fields you are in. And thank you for the intro to Ren.
check out hi ren if you haven't yet heard it!
You don’t know how it makes me feel to know that I’m not the only one that feels. I almost killed my self but ren actually made me try life he is wat is great in life I can’t never be thankful. And thank you for your kind words
Thanks for another great reaction. 🙂
Another great duet is 'Ren ft. Bibi - Crutch'. It's heartbreaking, beautiful and deep. It has a great no-budget video as well. 'Crutch' comes from Rens darkest days, when he really thought he would'n live much longer.
Crutch is an absolute beautiful heartbreaking experience! Must see!
How To Be Me ft Chinchilla LIVE VERSION is def next 🔥 Humble ft Eden Nash is an amazing, uplifting palate cleanser... Penitence ft Molly McKenna is my fave. Kind of like slam poetry/spoken word about his struggles at the time. Crutch ft Bibi is old but its when he was deep in his illness and the effect it had on his relationship. So many amazing songs.
3am is my waking time with nightmares (chronic CPTSD, depression, anxiety, agoraphobia) - so much of what Ren writes hits the nail on the head - cheers from rural Qld Doctor.
I start crying hearing the first notes of this song now
After watching Hi Ren and Sick Boy, I was a bit relieved to see that Ren had someone to share his mental health experience, he wasn't alone. I think of this location, not as the mental health ward proper, but the basement that they just happened to sneak into! I've been depressed, dysthymia, since childhood and have never taken anti depressants. To me, it's just part of reality. Life sucks, deal with it!
The best musical “siblings”. Ren has called her his sister from another mister and a female version of himself due to their similar approach to music. For me I think it shows in the fact that they both have that something special that draws you in and demands attention. To see it fully for Chinchilla, check out her live version of Fingers.
This song always reminds that one of the (many) things that makes Ren so great is his ability to know exactly when to be complex, keep it simple, or even use silence to get his message across. He isn’t flexing his guitar skills in this, just playing exactly what is needed with that beautiful guitar tone. And my favourite line in this is so simple, totally devoid of all the clever metaphors that he is so good at using, but it hits soooo hard: “I’m scared of being okay cause all things change”. I think anyone who has been through any struggles can relate to that feeling of not trusting that anything good will last. You can’t just enjoy it because you’re busy worrying about how long it will last and the feeling that will come when it’s gone. And then good days just make the darkness feel so much worse because you remember the light that’s gone… Ren is so special. He keeps being so relatable that it reminds us that we’re not alone. And we will always make room for more RENegades down the Ren rabbit hole cause we all need his light in the darkness 🐰🕳️
If you want more emotional singing from Ren, please check out one of my personal favourites: Crutch feat. Bibi. It’s an older song from before he was finally correctly diagnosed with Lyme disease and was written after a breakdown following multiple emergency trips to the hospital. It is heart wrenching and beautiful. And very different from everything else in his catalogue.
I absolutely love this song! Thanks for reacting to it :) the ideas of being on your toes in the gallows and scared of being ok explained my life for 5 years while working through the hardest parts of therapy. Now I can watch it and be so thankful for how much meds and therapy have helped and how much better my life is now.
Stay on the journey, Doc!
Help that tide rise us all…
Here is an added detail that blew my mind:
remember during the walking intro, that sharp sound from snapping open the folding chair?
and remember that Ren focuses on being scared of feeling ok?
Sooo, what is the technical term for the fear of being happy (from the Greek)? : cherophobia.
Ren leaves absolutely nothing to chance, and packs in details that only elevate his art and our experience…
**ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED** congratulations! You have discovered new ren friend chinchilla 😊 she has a few other collabs with ren along with some upcoming ones and has great solo stuff 💜💜
I've seen a trend for reactors that works pretty good. You listen to the full song all the way through and then listen to it again where you pause to add in your thoughts. That way you get the first reaction of the song as a whole and then the reaction of the moments that you want to express.
What do you think about the line “ Such a perfect day , take it just in case, just in case” “ I’m scared of being okay cause all things change all things change”
I love your reactions! I suggest listening to Mackay with no pause because he does not need words. Another big one is the tale of Jenny and screech 3 videos, but I suggest to watch and react in one take (I think you might find it intresting to analyse it). And other good ones are For Joe, how to be me live/acoustic (with chinchilla)
I downloaded Mackay when I feel like I need to slow myself down. It soothes my anxiety so much. I cried when I first heard it too. So cathartic.
You are my favorite reactor on RUclips. You always say the best responses, you talk about the logical psychological aspect, you talk about the feelings, & you always say things that are fully relatable to me as a depressed person. You are doing the lords workkkk 👏 👏
Dr. Syl, is it true you haven’t listened to the full Tale of Jenny & Screech by Ren yet? I’m flabbergasted! Your insight and impressions about it would be fascinating.
Lovely and informative reaction as always!
Shared your channel on my social media. You have helped me to learn more about my own mental health as well as that of my clients--I'm a case manager for a program that helps the homeless. I'm in Michigan in the US. While homelessness may not be as big an issue in Australia, I wonder if you could speak a bit about how homelessness changes a person's mental health. We know its impacts are massive, but is there a specific approach doctors take when treating mental health in homeless or formerly homeless people? Most of my clients have some form of mental illness that affects their life even long after they are housed, like PTSD and anxiety disorders. Thanks for your work. Blessings.
thank you so much
I just discovered your site this evening. Always looking for new Ren folks. Anyway I've enjoyed it so far still listening to the video. But I wanted to take a second and give a suggestion. You mentioned how you hate pausing and you're getting into the music... I understand that but one thing you could do that I find helps keep the flow on a I understand that but one thing you could do that I find helps keep the flow is it when you do pause skip back a few seconds or so and replay the end of what you had just done to go on into the new part. He's a little more continuous. Like in this one you stopped and when you picked it back up it was immediately Chinchilla .. the whole flow from Ren into her sound ended up being lost. Just an idea.
AWESOME POINT I will start to do this!
Ren has just released 'Troubles' will be his first single in the charts since hitting no1 album with Sickboi
reaction coming soon!
@@DrSyl The Big Push , Ren and his mates were in a band together before they went solo careers. More cover songs that are on their RUclips channel but there's a few they wrote themselves. You should check them out ✌🏻😎🏴
As someone who has lived with MDD for most of my adult life, I get a mixed feeling of hope and sorrow from this song. To me the base message I take is to just keep going, be open to trying something new. Change is scary, but the only way to feel the way I want to is to keep trying new 'habits'. For me, masking helps to be high functioning. I hope I won't always need it, but it's just another tool in my kit.
My goodness you describe me so well lol. I've had major depressive disorder since I was about 13. I'm 45 now. My little rubber bands in my brain that release all the chemicals are absolutely fried by me trying to find happy, find normal for well over 25 years. So I have no idea what my base level is anymore. It kinda scares me.
But yes I'm one that it takes a while to get to sleep, though seroquel helps, maybe 10pm or so but hooooboy I'm up at 2 or 3 & it's rough. The depression really kicks in & I have to watch stuff to keep me a bit elevated until I'm ready to zonk out again. Sometimes it will take me ages to get to sleep & get up at 9am of my own volition. I have nightmares that are so wildly vivid I often have to walk around my house to ground myself. It's horrid. 11 years of extreme domestic violence will do that.
And I'm the Queen of masks lol. But it's how I get by. I mean I became a youth worker specialising in mental health. I loved it but I'm burnt out now. So I look after me & my cats. Bought a cottage in the country in Vic & live a very different lifestyle than I used to. My psychologist is retiring this year & services aren't so great out here. I've not had a psychiatrist for ages, my guy in the city was a bulk biller & he was great. I know he does a lot of seminars & stuff, he taught me heaps. I'm a forever student. People & brains will never not fascinate me
This absolutely takes me back to getting my diagnosis and all the misses and awful side effects before I finally found a medication that worked for me. It can be a rough ride getting there.
That was cool to hear you say how it's an actual feeling cuz I used to have really bad anxiety anxiety attacks and they would just come usually I'd be doing drugs and and I hated it and then I would hate myself and it would just be a whole vicious cycle I'm clear that nowadays so I'm very grateful but I sit there and I couldn't breathe like normal breaths I'd have to take deep breaths hold my breath I don't know what that is but it literally make like sounds groans and actually say ow I'm actually getting sad now talking about my past so I'm going to stop but I'm glad people like you are on the internet and people like REN
Haven't heard Chinchilla before 😲. Then you missed something. There is another duet of them: "Ren X Chinchilla - How To Be Me (Live)". Absolute great and worth listening.
But Chinchillas own songs are great as well: FINGERS Live for HungerTV (it's a 💎), Little Girl Gone (Official Music Video) and Cut You Off (Official Video) are the most famous ones. Her latest 'MF Diamond (Official Video)' is great as well.
I have dysthymia among other things and this song makes me tear up every time🥹 songs like these always feel like they take your breath away
As someone who got her first depression diagnosed at the age of five, I appreciate your videos immensely. Just wanted you to know that aaaaand, if, just IF you feel like you need some female cathartic music: Little Girl Gone and Fingers (live version) with Chinchilla.
Thank you!
Much love,
From STHLM, Sweden
Isn’t she amazing!! Gives you this massive boost of confidence and strength in her music ❤
@@sejbomb she gives a voice to every female alive, since there's not anyone alive who hasn't been abused by a man. I mean, girl... DING DING HOLD MY EARRINGS FOR MY DEBUT! 😸🖤
I'm unsure if you've already reacted to this, but Ren has a song called Diazepam. My interpretation when he says he'll push it down with a new habit is that or another drug given for treatment. That's what the line of it's such a beautiful day, take it just in case is referencing. As well as she was saying there's a pill for everything. Since I am in his shoes, I take this song to be about the drugs given to mentally unwell patients to cover up the real issue. It numbs you; you are just a shell of your former self. You are a chalk outline because you are dead inside and feel nothing.
This song cuts deep with me. Ive been consistently changing meds because it stops working. Theres always something new. I have severe depression and im still trying to figure out how to live my life and begin to trust people. Im 29 this month seems like most of my life has been new meds and new diagnosis
I have been blessed with really good therapist and doctors in the past that really helped me a lot..... I love Ren and his music.... This is one of my very favorite Ren songs, I cry almost every time I hear it .. touches my soul.... Chinchilla sounds amazing....
I don't know why, but I imagine that Ren and chinchilla, all dressed in white, are ghosts that come across each other and lament and wale their pain to each other. It's powerful and beautiful
Thanks for the reaction
Peace
I'd never heard about the baby's learning trust through crying and having someone fix what ails them. You are a very insightful person and one of my new favorite reactors. Have a subscribe my friend.
Hello... I just seen your reaction to Ren and now I'm about to watch this one. Thanks because I personally am having a hard time even getting help at the moment and believe me I keep trying... Now I have a terminal diagnosis and it seems to be harder for mental help...
So sorry you are going through this ❤
REN rules ! Love you talk of him. He's the real deal, speaks from the heart/soul.
Every person who watches his videos can relate in some way. He touches your soul.
Loved this! Now you have to do How to be me with Ren and Chinchilla.... bring tissues!
Personally as a person with a long history of bad mental health. When I listen to the chalk outline lyric, to me when taking an ssri it almost feels like your living in a fuzzy outline to a point that you think is this me or the medication. It’s hard to describe
I've never heard a mental health professional mention acetylcholine before. I have Myasthenia Gravis (an autoimmune disease that attacks acetylcholine) and we're kind of famously (within our community) diagnosed with conversion disorder. It's miserable and so many have been on the verge if respiratory failure or actively in it before being accurately diagnosed. I was told I was just a "tired mom" by one doctor as I struggled to see, breathe, swallow, talk, and walk. Thankfully I finally got help and after 5 years am fairly stable with treatment. Ren gives me hope and listening to reactors like you with so much kindness and empathy does too. ❤️
Wonderful reaction. Thank you. New subscriber!
As for feeling like you can't watch entire music videos without pausing to comment, I invite you to be true to what you're feeling rather than succumbing to any sense of obligation to meet some viewers' expectations or preferences. Those who value your input will happily stay to listen to your comments after the video ends. Many of us actually prefer it so as not to interrupt the flow, which can at times lessen the initial emotional impact of the song.
I follow several reaction channels where the video plays uninterrupted. Some reactors take notes to refer to later.
This is YOUR channel. You get to choose how to run it. Naysayers can always choose to go elsewhere.
You offer great insight and analysis and heartfelt reactions (it's okay to cry - many of us do). Authenticity is so important.
Grateful to have you spreading Ren's (and Chinchilla's) message. Chinchilla (Daisy) is a force in her own right.
I'm going to check out your other Ren reactions. If you haven't yet done their 'How to Be Me' I highly recommend it. 🙋♀️💖
I love watching your reaction videos. Especially when it’s Ren!
Side Note:: Not to sound creepy but you have a really kind face. You are laid back and honest. You will be an exceptional psychiatrist! Your warm demeanor and care for those with mental illness is obvious. Thank you for entering a profession that needs more people like you. ❤
"There are no winners or losers in *psychological warfare*....." which can be related to mental illness, but I wouldn't say they're synonymous (like pledge and donate!) You also assumed that the setting is a psych hospital when there's nothing in the video to indicate that, as far as I can tell.
I'm always interested when I hear peoples interpretation of "what Ren's saying." You're a mental health specialist, you heard that line as "mental health has no winners or losers..." I know my own interpretations are rooted in my own history and belief, so hearing others' interpretations is like seeing their momentary perspective. Thanks for another great Ren reaction!
Glad you got to this beauty, now you really should listen to How To Be Me by Ren & Chinchilla, if anything it's even better
I saw the hospital as his past . Like visiting after closure to tell the story.
This song is resonating with me so immensely today and as I have tears of pain running down my cheek, during:
“… I push it back down with a new habit, if not for long just for a while I bury myself with a great big smile”,
I’m struck by the fact that the chords he’s playing are so upbeat and the melody is more upbeat during that part and the juxtaposition of the lyrics and the beat is so haunting.
Also just had to throw this out there to see if you have heard of Ketamine (nasal spray) being beneficial for G.A.D. ? My psych is on the fence with letting me try because they just got approved to provide it but I cannot find a lot of scholarly articles on it.
I only found your channel a couple of days ago, but have now watched all of your Ren reactions and some other videos too. Very good stuff, I love learning new things from people who know what they're talking about! (Yes, I did subscribe too.)
Ren is my latest musical obsession, but I'm always attracted to songs that make me really feel something. Most of my all time favourites are songs I can very rarely listen to, need to be in a safe headspace first. Songs like "4st 7lb" (anorexia) and "Black Dog On My Shoulder" (depression) by the Manic Street Preachers, or "Bronte" (death of a family pet) and "Eyes Wide Open" (climate change) by Gotye. (Yes, the same guy who also wrote Somebody That I Used to Know. Somehow his much better songs never reached the big audience.)
None of those have been big hits, which I can sort of understand, since I'd be a mess if any of the songs that tend to make me cry was played in the radio while I'm out in the public. Maybe that's why most of the music in the top charts is such shallow crap, now that I think about it.
So glad you did this!
Ren is able to express the inner turmoil of mental health in a way that as a fellow sufferer, makes me weep -- but only because I can hear -- I can really hear it -- that I'm not alone. None of us are. Feeling completely disconnected from every other human being is something that I struggle with every moment of my existence. And then Ren comes along and says more with one opening chord, than any other artist, loved one or doctor, and shatters the isolationist in me.
There have been many musicians that have been able to reach down and touch that pain, but none of them ever bring me to any kind of positivity. Don't get me wrong; this is not a song about positivity, and maybe if I hadn't heard his other music and his own story before I wouldn't see it here. But just by being who he is as he expresses himself and sings with all of his heart, he is able to help me find the reserves to get up again.
The damn thing is I am not a crier. My mom can count on one hand how many times she's seen me cry. But here I am babbling like a baby again.
And Chinchilla! Woah! She actually manages to steal the show from Ren here, just such a beautiful voice, a beautiful person. I will never meet these two, ever, and I don't have a problem with parasocial behavior. But I love them both, to the end of time, for helping my soul to sing.
Thank you for bringing this to an even wider audience, Dr. Syl. Where you find the time to make all these videos for us, it must cost you something dear. It's a sacrifice that doesn't go unseen.
Ngl, this video was amazing. When you spoke at the end it was a literal light bulb moment for me. Didn't expect to learn something like this today lol. Thanks and have a sub!
I really appreciate your reaction and that you’re taking the time, because so many haven’t found a good psyche like you. Just wanted to mention I believe chalk outlines really symbolizes what these mood stabilizers make you feel. Flat, sometimes no highs, no lows, almost walking around dead! Also if you see this, I began Zoloft at age 16. Moved through Prozac, Celexa, Prozac again, lamictal, sertraline and finally with a good dr. Onto a large dose of Prestiq combined with some Cymbalta( I have a muscular degenerative disease causing major muscle pain). And the added Klonaplin. Wondering what the main difference between how Prestiq works compared with other Ssri’s???
Great reaction! As a huge Ren fan and someone who's suffered with depression for about 45 years, I had a different reaction to the "new habit". Cynically, it is simplistic. But for me, behavior changes have truly led to psychological changes. If it's just "pushing it back down" that's one thing, but in my experience true and deep transformation has followed focused behavioral changes (exercise, journaling, socializing, automatic thought/rational response and other techniques) coupled with meds. Interesting side note: in March 2020, as the entire world shut down, I discovered I had a massive but benign brain tumor. Surgery was successful, and since the moment I woke up a lifetime of depression seemed to have disappeared. Even though brain damage has radically disrupted my entire life, I have not had even a moderate depressive episode since. Very interesting. Just a few weeks ago I started getting extremely angry, so it's to therapy I go to deal with that. When I told my GP I was so angry, he sighed, smiled, and said "I've been waiting." Thanks for a fantastic channel. Ren brought me here, but I'm staying for the full range of your content.
Damn bro, only found you last week about you reacting to people's traumas. I suffer from mental health and this was an awesome and genuine breakdown of Ren, who is one my favourite artists. Also, your breakdown at the end describes my upbringing, a mixture of the two factors and has really shaped how I view the world to this date....at nearly 45 years old. Much love brother 💚
Feeling empty inside, more introverted, the feeling of not belonging, a persistent sadness, amongst other symptoms, forces (me in this instance) to create a mask to be able to function in society. And after decades of hiding behind the mask, it slips, or becomes loose and full blown depression rapidly advances filling (me) with anxiety and loss of hope. Who was the real me, can the me in this present day (created by the mask) find hope in just simply 'being'. Hope and ambition have putrefied long ago, so what is the reason to carry on.. .. for me it is not utilising the psychological crutch I have (about 20 different types of meds prescribed over the years), which are my quick and painless way out.. . but instead I cling to the VERY faint hope that a better tomorrow will come, even though the logical side of me KNOWS for a fact that, that day will never come. I am broken and discarded by the system that only knows how to be drug pushers. Ren's music, story and personality are the mainstay of the vague hope of a better tomorrow (but a magic wand he does not have)
One of the reasons I like Adele's Easy On Me is bc it somehow gives us permission to forgive our younger & current selves. This song does that for me too
Great video! You’re so close to 100k! You can definitely reach the goal before your birthday! ❤🎉
I LOVE Ren. Also, Robin Williams and “Twitch’s” death destroyed me.
How to be me by Ren and Chinchilla
Ren has been life changing for me. I love seeing how it touched your feels too. Have always liked your transparency ❤
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What should I react to next?
Depression by Ren or insomnia ❤
How not to drown Chvrches
DPR Ian
Dr Syl, you're doing a wonderful job. I love your approach to helping people with mental illness. just a point though, in SA mental illness hospitals are very under resourced and are not providing what you talk of. My son sees little hope and I wish I could help, but I can't. I can only be there for him.
I subscribed cause love you and absolutely love REN. All my best to you. I feel you gave his music justice I’m one of those that proclaim I loved him before… .
How to be me, Crutch and Diazepam - puleaze!
Really enjoyed your take on this, I’ve seen it plenty of reactions to this song and always notice in the comments a ‘anti psych med’ narrative but the vast majority of people benefit from them and I have myself regarding depression but they don’t work forever on some individuals unfortunately and you are left with deep treatment resistant depression, I’ve seen the clinical trials on treatments such Psilocybin showing a lot of promise, from personal experiences the line ‘ I push it back down with a new habit’ is self medicating with drugs just to feel normal even just for a few hours which brings it’s own problems and is no way recommended bit this is the beauty of art we can all relate to it through our own personal lenses and experiences
I take issue with your " vast majority of people benefit from them " I've looked and can't find any studies that back that up
The "Chalk Outline" side effect is most certainly a thing, although you won't find it listed in any known side effects.
Turning into a zombie is how I described my own experience and it was only after watching this song last year did I discover how prevalent it is.
@@seth1455 I know exactly what the song is about and that’s the reason I stopped taking antidepressants, I stand by the statement with most people a short course of medication can help them get through a negative time in their lives and that’s just antidepressants I said anti psych meds because people with schizophrenia or bipolar or other serious mental health problems wouldn’t be able to live relatively stable lives without them
New subscriber and Renegade. I have been binging on your Ren reactions. This one really helped me understand some of my lifelong issues with CPTSD/DID.
Anyway, we are so sorry to see that you didn’t hit your 100k goal by your birthday. You’ve earned our respect and our support as a channel subscriber.
There were multiple (hahaha pun intended) comments that you’d made that resonated deeply. The Mask. Yes. Our forward facing Protector wears a Great Big Smile. It’s a bit between of a middle finger at the world and a Keep Back snarl. (Yeah, we’ve got work to do) We are several decades older than you and Ren. I’m a grannyrenegade 😉 After moving to a new home w hubby after 30yrs in the same place, and covid lockdowns we got catapulted into a long freeze response. Knowing that was not healthy, we spent the next four years chasing possible care providers. Five failed interviews and attempts to find a therapist with enough experience to actually help; so I’ve decided to go back to work self educating.
Ren’s music has put some major cracks in the ice and isolation.
The reaction channels have added some more pieces toward validation and healing. It’s a wonderful community. I found Janina Fisher’s old tomb on Healing Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors. It’s ok, but still the text wasn’t connecting. We intellectually understand what the book is about, but deeper feelings about it are elusive. It’s too easy for us to be detached and clinical. The Mother was a primary abuser, in a long line of people. Your chat at the very end about attachment theory was delivered in such a relatable manner that it finally really resonated. We knew from third party sources that she was extremely neglectful, abusive, and unavailable. Thank you for hitting the jackpot with your direct and concise explanation of the progression of developmental stages and that #1 is TRUST.
Upon which all other emotional connection and understanding of functional life skills are built. We had never really seriously or fully considered and connected ourselves emotionally with the damage that came at that early stage. It also explains why there is a void in our system where she is concerned. Why we’ve never related to other people’s feelings about family attachments. We know the socially acceptable ways to respond, but have only learned to model behavior based on other people’s responses in those situations that require us to engage. We know we should express feelings or empathy, but there’s no frame of reference or emotional intelligence to draw on. Things make better sense now. We’ve always been told, “insecure attachment,” blah, blah, blah. They were just empty words. It never felt like a description that fit the internal narrative.
When the Student is ready, the Teacher will appear.
Thank you for sharing this reaction to Chalk Outlines. Very much appreciated!
❤❤❤ren❤❤❤
Great reaction and I love your insight into the lyrics x
Thank you for making this. Some of your words gave me a lightbulb moment and some hit straight into my heart. 💔
Chaulk outline, because the medicine makes you empty inside, dead on the inside. Killing the real you, erasing yourself. And still you rely on it, being scared to let go off it. Scared of being ok, afraid to feel, it will not last and it hurts waking up.This is saver, this is familiar.
Chinchilla got hurt and her reaction was growing claws!
You deserve .many more subs ❤ This song really hits me in the feels..
I wish psychiatrists here would watch your videos...
New sub. I am hoping you were able to hear Ren's 8 chapter bio outlining his medical issues over the last 10 years. If not, they are on his second channel
"Ren Makes Stuff" Hopefully others can be spared the suffering he faced, with proper testing.
Excellent. Just discovered you and enjoying your Ren reactions.👍💕🦇
I'd have loved to see you watch it again just for yourself.
A new Uk 🇬🇧 Subscriber ❤❤THANKYOU for supporting Ren he is an Earth Angel 😇
My thought on the line about having a new habit may be an attempt to find some easement or escape but as ren probably knows well, that's not a permanent solution, it's temporary.
Thanks for the subscription reminder. I thought I had! Great reaction! 👏🏻
Always enjoy your analysis of Ren's music. ❤
Ive seen a lot of videos in my life, and this is one that ranks up there among the best I've ever seen. Budgets don't matter!🎉
your a lovely person inside and out
Great song great song writer 🎉
Push it down with the new habit and bury myself in a smile seems to me like self medicating depression with substance abuse
"Habit" is slang for drug use. Here it could be legal or illegal drugs.
Love your reactions!
Hey Dr. Syl, if you enjoyed this one, you really have to react to ‘How to Be Me’ by Ren and Chinchilla, especially the live version! There is so much power in their performance, and the lyrics and meaning of the song are even more powerful!
You earned another subscriber with me 😊 really like your reactions
❤ Very cool, and what amazing lyrics, and heartfelt gorgeous story Ren is sharing ❤️
😭
Hello from Poland love Your reaction I just subscribed. "I push it back down with a new habbit" for me means that Im trying to get out of one habit/addiction by taking another habbit. From my poit of wiev as a sleeping pills addict