SEPTEMBER FAVORITES
Woah, did September fly by or what?! At least it did for me. I guess I’ve been busy with work and life in general things were flowing smoothly. I’ll get right to it!
MUSIC
I went on a family trip to Alaska this past month and while I listened to a mixture of music, I really enjoyed Avi Kaplan’s songs. They fit the beautiful Alaskan atmosphere perfectly. One of my favorite songs of his is Aberdeen. Check it out here! *Side note: you may recognize him as the original base from Pentatonix.*
FACEBOOK PAGE
Please check out Anxiety and Depression Awareness’s Facebook page. They share great articles that are educating and helpful. They also share truthful/inspirational posts on mental health. Click here!
CATS
I thought I’d share a cute/funny video of my cats hating their sled dog shirts I got them from Alaska :3 *I had to make it into a gif for it to upload, so I apologize for the quality*
SOMETHING I LEARNED
This is similar to a previous month, but cherish the time you have with your family. Being cramped in a car with six people for hours on end may seem like a nightmare to some (trust me, it wasn’t always fun), but my time in Alaska with my family is something I’ll hold in my heart forever. I don’t get to my older brothers very often and I loved seeing how happy my parents were seeing all their children together.
PUMPKIN SPICE
I have no shame in stating that I love pumpkin flavored everything. I am beyond happy that pumpkin spice lattes are back in season.
I recently tried the frozen cinnamon pumpkin coffee from Dunkin Donuts. It honestly is a Godsend when I’m feeling drained at work.
Check out their drinks and treats here!
*Always thoroughly research products to make sure they’re the best fit for you*
It feels like I’m being torn apart
“Just because you don’t experience it doesn’t mean that it’s not a reality for someone else.”- Why Mental Illness Makes People Feel So Tired All The Time
Recently while in a couples session, our counselor asked each of us what depression felt like. My partner hadn’t tasted the bitterness of mental illness before, not until this past year at least when we were apart. He expressed that he had to keep himself busy from wake to sleep, otherwise his emotions would make him “sad.” When the counselor turned his attention to me, the first words that escaped my mouth were, “It feels like I’m being torn apart.” His head tilted, his eyes squinted, and he asked what I meant. Not in judgement, but for better understanding.
I explained that for me, my depression and anxiety were almost these presences that hid in the corners of my mind. It may seem counteractive giving them this power, but they honestly do feel like little dark versions of myself. And they are always hungry. I try not to feed them, but at times their hunger becomes too much and I end up satisfying their need to overwhelm, drag down, and hurt.
I explained that even when I am busy, at work or exercise, my mind doesn’t shut off like my partners or fully focus on the task at hand. The depression and anxiety don’t just close themselves in their tiny brain apartments and hibernate for the season. They only slide a little further into the shadows, waiting. And sometimes they like to peek their heads out for a surprise attack.
I explained that even when I seem like I am doing well for a few weeks or even months, that I am still struggling with my thoughts on a daily basis.
And it is exhausting.
Not only am I anemic, which makes me tired anyways, but I have to deal with my dysfunctional brain while trying to be functional.
Some days I come home completely out of it I barely make it out of the shower before I’m drooling on my pillow. Some days I’m so tired of interacting with people I fight going to the gym (which I do enjoy), because that means more socialization and expending energy that I honestly feel I don’t have.
I’m not tired because I’m lazy and don’t want to do anything. I do want to do things.
But, I have this opposing force that I am continuously pushing against to keep going. I only have two arms and two feet, and one body.
So yeah, you may have to be a little patient with me while I fight.
And I’ll try to be patient while you fight too.
What life has been like
I told you I would update on what’s been going on with me! Just took me a little longer than I expected… :p
If you didn’t catch it, I moved back to Iowa to work things through with my partner of four years (I guess 5 now?) mid summer. It took me a while to settle into our new apartment, my old job, and new routine. Our place is finally looking semi put together… Although our mattress is still on the floor!
Work has been great too. I really missed my coworkers, environment, the animals, and the overall experience. I’ve really thrown myself into the daily madness of working at a veterinary clinic. Work has been a great distraction to help keep my thoughts from overwhelming me. Still happens sometimes though.
I found a psychiatrist, personal counselor, and couples counselor at the same office. They’ve all been great so far. I switched to Cymbalta to help settle my depression and anxiety, and just recently started Ambien to help me sleep through the night. I still wake up at times, mostly from discomfort or squirrel bladder syndrome, but I think my sleep is getting better. I hope it is.
I’ve lost almost 10 pounds. It’s taken me three months to drop the weight, but I’m really proud of myself. The first two months of being back I started going to the gym. I tried to go at least 3-4 times a week. I mostly take dance workout classes (some yoga too!), but recently my partner and I have been going to fancy dance classes. We take ballroom lessons Monday nights and swing dance lessons Tuesday. We still go to the gym the other days.
At least every two weeks I struggle to do anything when I get home from work. After interacting with people and holding animals for 10 hours, sometimes I’m so exhausted I face plant into my dinner. It’s those days that I’m actually physically tired. But some days, I’m emotionally tired too. And some days I’m both.
I’ve been really good about scheduling myself doctor appointments and keeping on top of my health.
I feel like I’m doing good. I’m still scared every now and then…Of a lot of things actually. But, I’ve been trying to focus on the current day instead of letting my mind drift to the past or future. Of course I can’t help it sometimes. My brain is wired to worry!
Sometimes I’m scared that I’m ignoring my feelings or shoving things away. Maybe I am doing that. I don’t know. But, for the most part it feels right? I tell myself to focus on one thing at a time and if a little extra something shuffles in, it’s okay. I can let a tiny bit in here or there. Just not all at once.
I’m planning on doing more artsy fartsy stuff again. I miss painting, writing, and doing craft projects. I’ve found it difficult to find time to work, exercise, eat, sleep, and take time to relax. All I know is that I really want to paint! And soon! My creative juices are flowing! Ew, gross.
Anyhoos, that’s all I can scrounge up from my brain right now. It’s been a long day and all I really want to do is cuddle my fur babies.
Talk to you soon!
Fear.
Confusion.
Disappointment.
Heartache.
I don’t want to drown.
July Favorites
I’d like to start off this months favs with an update. If it seems like I’ve been MIA, it’s because I mostly have been. I haven’t necessarily been in a depressive episode, but I have struggled not only to find time to write but also having the energy to do so (hence not having a June Favorites). I’ll be sharing a more informative update post about what’s been going on in life in a little bit.
So…let’s just jump to the good stuff!
MUSIC
I’m sure most of you know, as the world knows, that Taylor Swifts newest album recently released. And it’s just…fantastic! Now, I don’t know if any of you realized, but I’m kind of a hopeless romantic. You may guess my favorite of her new songs is Lover, but…duh duh duh…it’s Paper Rings. It’s super cutesy and cheesy, and totally up my ally. Check it out here if you haven’t already!
FACEBOOK PAGE
Check out Other Perspectives Facebook page here! They post everything from funny to inspirational posts. And some of them are truly fascinating.
CATS
I told you I would make up for not having any cute cat photos last time. And because I missed June, I will just have to double up the cuteness. Gandalf and Luna are just the sweetest fur babies…and I love them tons!
Aren’t they photogenic?
SOMETHING I LEARNED
I can’t take everything upon my shoulders. I’ve been really afraid to open up and show vulnerability to my partner. Slowly, I’m getting there. But I still have a long way to go. And while him and I work on trusting each other and getting to that point, I need to make sure I can find other ways to release those emotions. Recently it’s been going to dance classes at the local university’s recreation center and going to counseling biweekly.
UNIFORMS
Since starting my old job back up, I’ve come to love my work clothes all over again. I wear scrubs on a daily basis, as I work as a receptionist at a veterinary clinic. Not only do I get pupper snuggles (and slobber), but I help hold animals too. Meaning, I get super furry! But, that’s not the point of this post. I’m a super cheery person (at least I try to be!) and I am never found without a crazy (mostly animal themed) scrub top.
Check out Uniform Advantage here for cute, colorful, patterned, & good valued scrubs.
*Always thoroughly research products to make sure they’re the best fit for you*
Taking care of myself means counting days and pills
