One of my biggest fears entering college was: am I going to fit in? This was my biggest fear for numerous reasons. I came from a really small school where everyone knows each other and even there I didn’t fit in with everybody. I was wondering if it was going to be the same way in college. I was afraid that I wasn’t going to make any friends. I had a small group of friends in … [Read more...]
Supporting My Sister with Anxiety: What I’ve Learned
Personally, I have conflicting feelings about labelling mental health conditions. On the one hand, mental health conditions are health conditions - they have signs and symptoms, medications, and health risks. How can you expect to treat a health condition if it remains a nameless entity? What’s more, labelling it can offer a sense of closure and community - finally, you are … [Read more...]
This Is Why Mental Health Is So Hard To Talk About
In society’s eyes, I don’t have a mental health story. I’m “normal”, which is to say that I am damaged in ways that society deems acceptable and manageable. I bottle up emotions and feelings; I bury thoughts and ideas; I build up walls around the parts of me that frighten me and keep them isolated and hidden. I lie to myself - I hide from myself - I bite my tongue and keep up … [Read more...]
5 Mid-Year Resolutions to Re-Implement for Self-Care in 2018
It feels like just yesterday we were counting down to the new 2018 year. I was ready to face the new year with a brand new set of resolutions, but this year, it was time to actually keep them. Half what through the year, I'm reminding myself how far I've come and encouraging myself to keep going. Looking after yourself shouldn’t feel like a chore. Self-care is important, but … [Read more...]
The Stigma Has Been Amplified
I’m going into this article timidly, as I don’t know how it is going to turn out or what exactly I’m hoping to say, but I do know that I want to, and feel driven to, talk about this. It's time we talked about the recent Florida shooting and its relation to mental illness; and no, this isn’t the tired old discussion or argument that you’re probably thinking it will be. I’m … [Read more...]
Just for Today Poem
Just for Today Just for today I will hold my head high, and forget my problems. I can smile and make everyone else's day better, even if behind that smile I crỵ. Just for today I will walk away from a fight, though I may feel hurt insidẹ. I will ignore what is said, and continue on peacefullỵ Just for today I will set an example, when I feel the need to hurt. I … [Read more...]