Funny, I do not see my 300th blog post as a time of celebration. Hitting my 100th and 200th blog posts, I made it into a celebration of life; my life. I was excited to still be alive, to have a better sense of the way forward. With my 100th blog post, I was grateful…
Category: SMART – Self Management And Recovery Training
If I Only Had 10 Days to Live
A year ago, my focus was on Major Depressive Disorder. Would I figure it out? Was there life for me going forward? Could I see past the wall that I was up against? Although at that moment, I could not see the big picture, somewhere in my anatomy, I knew I would make it. Remember,…
Inconceivable! A Freeze Warning in Central Virginia in Mid-May
Is that why the unexpected is unexpected? Dealing with this unexpected change in temperature reminds me that life is not straight-forward. Yet here I am figuring out how to get all my geraniums and Boston ferns inside. And the climbing Mandevilla vine is already in a huge planter on the porch with a trellis attached…
Pandemic Closings Aside, My Depression Recovery is Still Open For Business
I am having trouble managing my thoughts and feelings with so many of my resources closed. I’m blaming my lack of motivation on not having face to face meetings. And my recovery feels stalled. In SMART Recovery, I have learned that at the heart of recovery lies their 4-Point Program. My journey has taken me…
What is Depression and Why Do I Have It?
Beginning my second year with Major Depressive Disorder, I am still not leading a balanced life. Now things are certainly much, much better than they were a year ago. I have hope and can see a way forward. Last year, I was up against the wall and saw NO way forward. It was all abyss….
People Are Getting Frustrated
Our resolve as a nation to beat COVID-19 is wavering. Not that we do not want it to happen, but we are growing weary of the cost. Getting back to work is on more people’s minds than it was even a week ago. A DC area poll has been conducted weekly since we got the…
COVID-19 is Not the Present I Had Expected
With my first anniversary of my hospitalization for MDD, I count the mental health tools I now have as my anniversary presents. Now I am speaking about the tools I use to deal with my Major Depressive Disorder, not the tools I use to change the oil in my truck. These tools and coping skills…
What Are You Doing Today?
I had in mind working on a Decision-Making Worksheet/Cost-Benefit Analysis this morning. My goal is to map out a plan for the coming year. My attitude towards events as they unfold is what I can control. So I am trying out different ideas to see what makes the most sense. However, I am not seeing…
I Have the Tools, Why am I Not Using Them?
It seems very straight-forward. You encounter a problem. You decide what tool you need to repair the problem. Then you use the chosen tool and fix the problem. Problem solved. This works great for when the lawnmower is sputtering and won’t start or your zipper in your coat is stuck and needs fixing. Applying this…
Counting Down, While Everyone Else is Adding Up the Days.
I’m seeing more and more articles with headlines: Day 18 of Self-Isolation. It starts with a dire warning, “The kids broke the toaster.” Then they go on to tell you about how the kids are doing beyond the toaster and the baking they have done. All of this is important in their lives and is…
