There are only 16 more shopping days until Christmas. Hanukah is right around the corner, Kwanza is rapidly approaching. Yet Covid-19 marches on and wave two is sweeping across the country. As a group, we did not do so well with the staying at home for Thanksgiving idea. And the spike in new cases is bearing that out. Unless you don't believe in coronavirus, in which case … [Read more...] about No-nonsense Holiday Mental Health Awareness Tips to Overcome Triggers
SMART
What Does Your Depression Look Like? Mine Has Three Feelings.
My depression is a classic textbook hopelessness. Not the passing, “oh, I will never pass this exam,” or the “why didn’t I get the job?” While I have had many similar thoughts over my lifetime, these would only last a few days. I would get over it and move on. This feeling of hopelessness, in moderation, is a normal part of life. We all have disappointments and situations we … [Read more...] about What Does Your Depression Look Like? Mine Has Three Feelings.
Depression Introduced Me to Unhelpful Thinking Styles
It has been 15 months since depression and I walked into the emergency room. The tools I have learned since that morning are making my day-to-day life more balanced. I am much more consistent in my mood and attitude. Frequently the days do not look daunting and I am able to get up and get going. Even a few months ago, I was wondering if I would ever be able to do that … [Read more...] about Depression Introduced Me to Unhelpful Thinking Styles
Recent Raccoons and My Depression
I know my depression recovery is not a straight line. And, in the animal kingdom, some species are more active at certain times of the year. This includes raccoons that I see now on my nightly commute home. Having traveled the same back roads for almost a year, there are certain spots where I expect to see wildlife. Over the winter, I saw way more fox than I am seeing now. … [Read more...] about Recent Raccoons and My Depression
Losing My Pandemic Pounds is Not Easy
For several weeks now, my scale has hovered around 198 lbs. This is 14 lb. above my February weight, and 20+ pounds above my ideal weight. I tell myself that I will easily lose weight when I focus on this. But that has not gotten the pounds off. In fact, several weeks ago I was weighing in at 194.4 lbs. So my weight is only climbing, not receding. I can feel the extra … [Read more...] about Losing My Pandemic Pounds is Not Easy