I will say that I welcome everyone’s thoughts and interpretations of my writing and also respect their opinions. That is the beauty of an author/reader relationship; the ability to connect on some level and share what that connection meant to you. See, everyone is different and life’s experiences help to make each person an individual. How boring would it be if we all had the same experiences, the same thoughts, the same opinions? While I can’t say that I wasn’t a little disappointed with the lack of ⭐️ offered by the reviewer #CandicePhelan I can say that I am grateful she chose to read and review my new book “Counting Breaths” and offer her thoughts. I can only hope that she does not just set the book aside, but revisits it with an open heart to embrace the beauty of hope, survival and faith of a new day dawning in love. Either way, there is beauty even in the ugly, and I am everlasting proof of that! #jolie-laide #bookreview #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #poetsofinstagram #mentalhealthawareness @reedsy.discovery
Category: mentalhealth
Embracing change…
The move from Chicago to Florida has been a lot different than I anticipated. The adjustment has been tricky because I have already been dealing with physical and mental health issues.
I have always set expectations low in anything I take on, so as not to end up disappointed…. and I have all too often fallen short of my goal. I am now learning, more than ever, to take life one day at a time and not focus on too much. I can’t change the things that are beyond my control, so I need to let go and quit trying to make things fit my own agenda.
I have officially stepped out of my comfort zone. I no longer have a safety net or a fall back plan. But I do have a chance at a fresh start and finally, the peace I have been longing for. In time, the rest will fall into place. Until then, I will enjoy this view and trust the process and remember it is okay to not feel okay.
#lifeinflorida#missingmyson#startingoverat50#positivemindset#itiswhatitis#innerpeace#askforhelp#mentalhealthawareness
You’re not weak if you ask for help
Sometimes admitting that youre not okay is the hardest thing you can do, BUT, it is the first and biggest step to getting better. I am revisiting this post and feeling every word to the bone…. #itsokaytonotbeokay #startingover #eyesonthehorizon #thesunriseneverlies
Anyone else feel alone and abandoned today? Friday is supposed to be Yay! Day…. I cant be bothered with it and actually feel I could bite the hand that tried to hug me…. So, I revisited this post yet again. Every word stings like saltwater in a new paper cut. #yourenotalone #askforhelp #dontgiveup
Waking up to darkness is real… thoughts crowding your mind of why bother and is it worth it… misgivings about every aspect of your life, questioning every success like each is a traitor, nodding hello at every failure as if each is a familiar good friend… last night I was a warrior. This morning, I feel like a tangled ball of useless frustration. A failure not worth the fight. It would feel better to just get back in the box… Facing myself in the mirror was the first step. Shedding a few tears in the shower where no one could hear me was the second. Facing myself again in the mirror and reminding myself that I am worthy and appreciated, even if its by only one person was the third step. And getting dressed, having breakfast and facing my day was the last… life goes on. Chin up. #thestruggleisreal #anxietyawareness #sadness #depressionawareness #ptsdawarenessmonth #itsokaynottobeokay #bethebestversionofyou
You. Are. Not. Broken!
Some mornings it takes an extremely early start, the vestiges of a brutal migraine and the exhaustion of physical therapy for a shoulder injury to remind me that physical scars (my body carries many that ache all the time) are exactly this… a reminder that I am alive and have survived a few hellish surgeries and three natural childbirths without any drugs. If I can get through all of that, I can survive the day-to-day pains. Physical pain is an obstacle to achieving your best self. Emotional pain, sadness, depression, anxiety – you have to think that these are obstacles to achieving your best self as well. To achieve your goal of being the best version of yourself that you can be, you can work towards it physically with exercise, but you can also exercise your mind. You don’t have to give in to the anxiety and the PTSD and the darkness. You are not broken; you are a work in progress! Just as you are conditioned to doing reps of squats or pushups or even running, you can repeat reps of positivity pressups and joyful jump squats by making lists of things you are thankful for, and what your positive goals are that you are working towards every day, and what brings you joy.
Repeat these things to yourself out loud in the mirror in the morning, write them on post its and put them in places you’ll see them throughout the day to remind you not to give in to the negative and the dreary thoughts. Make an effort to conquer your goals every day and remember, every day is a new day and the only easy day was yesterday. Work just that much harder tomorrow to make that new start and find your joy! Grow from every experience, from every failure and become the success you see yourself to be!
Repost from @22untilnone
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Stick this on post it notes all over your house. You. Are. Not. Broken. You are a survivor! Survivors aren’t weak, and its not weak to admit you’re dealing with the fall out of a traumatic experience. Healing takes time, so give yourself some grace.
#mentalhealthmatters#physicalhealthmatters#stressmanagement#anxietyawareness#ptsdawareness#positiveaffirmations#beyourbestself
Do not suffer in silence.
It is always okay to ask for help. Not long ago, I had someone ask me if I was okay. I hardly knew this person, but he recognised the signs as he was a combat veteran. Just the fact that he took the time to reach out, to ask after my well-being, was enough for me to check myself. To know that if I ever needed a safe space, someone to talk to that I didn’t have before, someone I don’t know but who has been there, someone who recognises the signs and doesn’t judge me for what I suffer from… it makes EVERY DIFFERENCE. Please know It’s Not Too Weak To Speak. 🙏🏻#itsokaytonotbeokay #askforhelp #PTSDawareness #suicideprevention #giveofyourself #breakthestigma #nevergiveup #mentalhealthawareness @mission_22 @stopsoldiersuicide @getheadstrong @havokjournal @mangang_uk #itsnottooweaktospeak