The picture above is one of a woman walking alone in the woods. It reminds me of the times where I was at peace in the solitude of nature. Nature has a way about it to bring peace to ones soul or at least that is how it is for me personally. The picture above is reminding me that I need to go on one more hike before the end of summer.
HOME
Home is where the heart is or at least that is how the saying goes. I don’t know how exactly true it is as if home is where the heart is then I guess I have lots of homes. I am not exactly going to discuss home is where the heart is in this post or last that is not what my plan is.
For me my current home is home to me. Home is currently in Seattle where I live in an apartment that is the longest place I have lived as an adult. Home is also where my beloved cat, Billie Dean, resides with me. So, I guess, for me home is where my cat, Billie is. Coming home to Billie is where the love is. I guess for me home isn’t just where I get the unconditional love from Billie is but a place that I created to be a home that is full of memories of homes past which is why my home is my home.
Things I’ve Learned
I write this blog for many reasons. I started this blog to help those who struggle with mental health challenges that recovery is possible. I also started this blog to educate those who do not struggle with mental health challenges that folks who do can live productive lives however that looks like to the individual. I started this blog to help lessen the stigma around mental health challenges which includes self stigma.
The one thing I did not expect when starting this blog what that it would become a form of self care for me. Little did I know it would help me with my recovery. Realizing that blogging has helped me with my recovery was and is a nice surprise to me. I am grateful that it has helped me with my recovery and continues to help me with my recovery.
As much as writing this blog has helped me with my recovery, I just really hope it has helped others with their recovery. Helping others with their recovery is why I continue to write this blog. I’m not sure how many people my blog is helping with their recovery but if it helps just one person then it has done it’s job.
As you can tell there are many reasons I write this blog and I hope it gives you some form of hope.
A space to write is much like a space to do artwork. It doesn’t have to be the same place just as long as you have a space that helps inspire you. A place for me to write all determines the time of year as well as my head space. My head space to be in a mode to write outside but the weather outside might not be the best outside. I’m not about to write outside when its raining out or snowing. If I writer outside I usually use a pen or pencil and paper. When I am in inside it depends the mood I am in but usually use my laptop to write. When I write inside, I like to write looking out the window as it gives me inspiration. Writing inside can be a challenge as well. It can be a challenge when my cat, Billie wants attention. On that note, when Billie wants attention it can also be an inspiration.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
The above quote from Eleanor Roosevelt has always given me hope. It has given me hope in many ways especially along my career path. My career path of being a peer support specialist. Knowing that I want to help people with their recovery helps me help myself with my own recovery. Recovery and knowing my dreams helps me know the beauty life has for me.
Walking through the woods is in itself a mindfulness meditation practice. Being one with nature can help with ones stress level. For me personally, being nature like walking in the woods like the woman in picture helps me deal with many of the symptoms of my mental health challenges. Oh how I wish I could go walk through the woods on the weekly basis but sadly it is not an option. Being in the woods or any form of nature put a person at peace and is a form of self-care. Self-care in nature is key to dealing with stress. Oh how I wish I could be back walking through the peaceful woods. Glad I had the opportunity to walk through the woods over my birthday weekend.
HOPE
For me hope is a simple yet loaded word. If it wasn’t for hope, I don’t think I would be typing this post much less alive. Hope comes from many sources but most importantly it comes from within. My cat Billie Dean gives me hope. He gives me hope by just being so adorable and choosing me to adopt him. Billie gives me hope in so many ways that I can not explain it. The hope that is within myself helps me be a better person and allows me to be compassionate toward others. Hope is the reason why I am in recovery from a mental health challenge.
Things I’ve Learned In Recovery
I write for various reasons. Take this my blog for example. I blog to educate those who don’t have lived experience with a mental health challenge and/or substance use disorder in hopes to end the stigma that is associated with mental health and substance use. I also blog to give other people hope in their recovery. I may not have a substance use disorder but I hope that my recovery with mental health, self-harm and eating disorders can be of inspiration to those who struggle with substance use disorders. Another reason I blog and didn’t realize this till about three years after starting my blog is that it helps with my own mental health.
So, I guess, the reason I blog in hopes that with me sharing my journey that it will lessen the stigma of mental health challenges and substances use disorders as well as give others who struggle some form of hope. Being in recovery is not easy but it is well worth it. I just hope my blog can help lessen the stigma of mental health challenges and substance use disorders as well as give others hope. Thank you for listening.
Living slowly, adventuring often ✨️
Life is all about being curious, asking questions, and discovering your passion. And it can be fun!
where wellness meets authenticity.
...exposing the truth about Mercy Ministries
The Unspoken Words Worth Writing Down
Not therapy - just gentle support.
Books, Daily Motivational Quotes
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
No more whispering.
Books, Passports, and Other Sorts
Delivering you a drop of inspiration!
Life in the Emerald City
A collection of my thoughts as I navigate my way through long term therapy.
Infertility
It's never too early nor too late to start pursuing that dream; live.
On the Way to Wholeness
Valarie's blog, exploring stories of Seattle neighborhoods.
boldly going where no house spouse has gone before.
A daily selection of the best content published on WordPress, collected for you by humans who love to read.
A BLOG ABOUT BEING PAINFULLY HUMAN
A writer with no name 👽
Beating Clubfeet One Step at a Time
Aspire To Inspire
Welcome to My world
Life, Love, & Literature
Extraordinary delight of musicals, books and spirituality
We are present in the millions, yet we remain unheard
a search for inspiration
Epic fantasy & military sci-fi author.
"A Word of Substance"
Exploring What Captivates, Inspires, and Intrigues.
Warden of Words // Shaper of Stories
Tales from the mouth of a wolf
Breaking Free From The Past, In Hope For A Bigger & Brighter Future
A place where I can be creative and understand me.
Life is the point of learning for sacrifices in the past
Seven Tools for Unleashing Your Creative Self and Transforming Your Life
the literary asylum
Gertie's Journey 
You must be logged in to post a comment.