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...

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...

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 ...