Anything about Everything

What hasn't contributed to declines in mental health?  The world is still on fire - with no end in sight. Everyone is at odds with each other because the wind blew the wrong way. We have been told to basically stay home for the last 2 years, with little hope of change. Every time we turn on the news, something disgusting has happened. There's hardly any GOOD news anymore put out by mainstream media.  Being 'homeless' all summer did a number on my mental health this year. I am, and will always be, forever grateful for the friends that let me live with them during the entire fiasco. I was navigating an incident that didn't have a handbook, alone. No one else was going to call my insurance company. No one else was going to start looking for a place for me. I needed to figure out how I was going to keep going while being so deep in a depressed state that I wasn't sure how I would come out of it. I cried when I was alone - because I didn't want to burden anyone, ...

This year took quite a toll on my mental health. It's no secret that I struggle with anxiety and depression - and if you were unaware, now you know. The last few years have been years of growth and healing, but also years with turmoil internally that was never properly addressed. I am grateful that I started therapy 3 years ago - because I would have a harder time navigating life without it.  As I've mentioned before, journaling has helped tremendously. Being able to get everything out on paper and let it stay there is so therapeutic. It also helps you process your feelings and emotions, in your own time. No one is going to read it - so being as honest as possible is always best.  Which brings me to my next point. Getting honest with myself has also been helpful with my mental health. It's harder than it sounds, but well worth the process.  It takes a lot of work - and it can get messy. But once you are honest with yourself, you open up so many paths for yourself. You are...

I am someone who does not often wish for things to change. They happen the way they happen, as life is a constant flow of energies and actions.  If I had to pick something to change from this year, it would have to be how I second guessed myself and overthought everything while I went through this summer's debacle. I am someone who worries about how everyone around me feels, how they will react, and how things will progress. I know a lot of that comes from my abandonment issues - because I don't want anyone to leave.  I learned this year that it's 100% okay to live your life how you want to. It is YOUR life, no one else has to live with your choices but you. I am not someone who catalogs every breath of my life or post for attention (I used to!). What I choose to share with my friends, family, and social media following could be different. It's my choice.  Not standing up for myself, and overthinking every move I made this summer was probably what I wish I had done diff...

Food in general brings me comfort.. I often joke about my weight and food - but it really is a comfort for me.  When I'm homesick and miss my family, I pull out a tub of homemade sauce from the freezer and whip up some pasta.  When I don't feel well, its acini de pepe in chicken broth with some parmesan cheese to cure all ailments.  When I'm sad, chocolate chip ice cream helps.. with a side of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. When I'm depressed.. any carb or sweet will help. Bread usually wins this one. When I'm anxious, I usually grab for chips or chocolate. It doesn't help but I feel okay for a second. When boredom strikes, the pantry doesn't stand a chance! I will make do with whatever I can, whenever I can just to pass the time.    I do need to be careful, however. A few years back, I was diagnosed (and when I say diagnosed, I mean medically informed.. I always knew) with a binge eating disorder. It's not the most enjoyable to try and navigate, but when I was in thera...

  As a movie & TV junkie.. this was tough.  I will say that immediately F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and The Vampire Diaries come to mind.. for two different reasons. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. is my comfort show. I’ve seen it a million times, can quote any episode, and often refer to show quotes in regular conversation. I’ve made lifelong friends because of my love of the show, and to be honest.. I would be lost without it. This show has pulled me out of dark bouts of depression more times than I care to count. It makes me laugh even though I’ve seen it a million times. Even though I know what’s coming, it’s still just as funny as the first time.  The Vampire Diaries is a bit different than F.R.I.E.N.D.S. It is a bit more complex in terms of story lines, but the characters are hard not to love. I am a huge history nerd, who likes to dabble in vampire nonsense. The actors were perfectly cast, and it actually brought one of my oldest best friend and I closer. As for a movie.. I would have to sa...

  Strength. I'm not talking muscle strength because I love to lift weights. I'm talking mental and emotional strength.  Growing up, I was always the kid who tried to make everyone feel better, who was always willing to do whatever was needed at a moment's notice. I was always trying to make sure everyone else was all set, and felt immense guilt when it came to taking care of myself. I neglected myself for a LONG time, because I wanted everyone to like me so I needed to do whatever they wanted.  When I was struggling through college and my 20s, all I ever wished for was strength to get through whatever new issue came up. Did I fall apart? All the time. But falling apart does not mean you're not a strong person. I cry so often now, and saw it as a flaw. But after some digging - it's just how I express my emotions. Nothing wrong there!  Please remember this. How you respond to a situation and learn from/grow from/heal from a problem/situation is how you become stronger...

There has been a lot of talk lately surrounding mental health. This post may have been inspired by seeing A Star Is Born for the second time and weeping in public AGAIN. Some people roll their eyes at it, because "another story about mental health" is taking over their feeds. Well, friends, I am here to tell you that mental health is so important, it needs to be a priority for all of us.  What does that even mean? Do you take care of yourself? Or do you just run yourself ragged until you can't physically stay awake? Do you take time for you - to do something that you love and makes you feel awesome? Or do you ignore all that because everyone else needs something and you can't stop until everyone else is taken care of? Do you listen to your thoughts? Or do you ignore how you feel because you don't want to burden anyone?  I have always been that person - that takes care of everyone else before I take care of myself. I need to be sure that my friends and ...