It’s impossible for me to write when I’m depressed, so I know in this moment as I’m drafting a blog post, it doesn’t have a grip on me, and for this I am grateful. But early in April I was still in the throws of a depressive episode complete with suicidal thoughts, and was left now trying to figure out what helped to bring me out of it.
Read moreMoving through a different type of grief
I need to remember that grief has no timeline. I’ve come to realize that I have to let it travel through me and know I’ll make it to the other side as I have before.
Read moreSetting My Writing Intention
I am living proof that just because a person is living with a mental illness doesn't mean they can't work hard to manage it well and this blog is my way of giving back.
Read moreA chance encounter with a dragonfly
As if to greet the little guy, I held out my right index finger, offering another place to explore. He surprised me by hopping over to sit on the first knuckle of my finger.
Read moreRe-blog from 2013: Planting Seeds
“Little by little, I’m becoming more aware of the important things in my life. The people I meet who share my passion for making a difference, the precious time I spend with family and friends, and the self-care I need to re-charge my batteries. And every day I’m taking time to savor the changes I’m going through to accomplish my dreams. Dreams that if you asked me six months ago, I didn’t know I had.”
Read moreMy reflections on the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary
I first expressed my feelings that he must have been sick. He had to have been clinically psychotic to commit such a horrible act of violence. I was angry at those people who knew him, thinking they should have seen signs. But it’s not fair for me to speculate. I should have been praying when instead I was typing out my frustrations. The facts will be uncovered in time. The time now is time I should be praying and respectfully recognizing the victims by reading about their stories when their families are ready to share.
Read more10-years of blogging
Live a brave life.
Read moreThe Neil Gaiman at the End of the Universe
“My anxiety spiked as Michael Patrick Jann, the Director of the project welcomed me to the stage. I had listened to the story several times before the event, but in the moment my mind was a blur of nervous energy….”
Read moreRelapse {written in September 2017}
Photo credit: Alicia Bruce
You're sick again, feeling like a failure because for so long, you had it under control. You had the upper hand, maybe even had won. But unfortunately with conditions of the mind, there are no cures yet. These are lifelong diseases we are tasked with controlling.
Read moreThis Month Marks 15 years Living with Bipolar
After fifteen years of living with a serious mental illness, I’ve learned that my mental health is something I need to take care of every day in order to maintain mental wellness, and there are many facets to it.
Read moreA Christmas Vacation to Remember
Our Christmas adventure vacation in Quebec City, Canada for a week to celebrate my father-in-law’s 70th birthday was lovely.
Read moreThis Is 39
Photo credit: @thelockandco
Yesterday I turned 39.
This past year brought me to places I knew I'd eventually have to go, through experiences I'd never be able to prepare for, and left me both completely unsure of and one thousand percent committed to the work I'm doing right now.
Last birthday I spent with my family in Orlando, visiting my brother and sister-in-law and nephew and niece. Watching the kids bond and play makes me so happy. I often wish we lived closer, but since Christmas the kids play video games online together and it's almost like they're in the same room.
In March I was invited to speak at a mental health event in Sarasota, which meant an excuse to get to visit mom and dad in Fort Lauderdale and drive over together. Getting stuck in Florida due to the only decent snowstorm back home wasn't a bad deal, and I got to visit my Grandma on the extra day before flying home.
April brought a trip to Seattle to give my TEDx talk again, only this time at the National Council for Behavioral Health's annual conference. I was a ball of nerves the entire conference because my talk was the final day. Two of my dear friends (also mental health advocates) were there and were incredibly supportive, they calmed my racing heart and made me feel so special.
Mid-April provided a chance to rest and recharge, as we visited my best friend in North Carolina on the way to Myrtle Beach for spring break. It was the first time our family had taken a trip just the four of us and we had such a great time just relaxing. Mini golf, paddle ball on the beach, jumping the waves, and eating lots of ice cream made up our time there, and the weather was perfect.
May was full of This Is My Brave shows, and more speaking gigs. Lots of opportunities to connect with people doing incredible work in the field of mental health, and I even got to sneak in a visit with one of my best friends who lives in California while I was traveling. Got a tattoo which has become more and more meaningful to me with each passing day. Hope = hold on pain ends. The reminder etched on my left arm has