Tag Archives: Mental Health

It’s Been A Long Week

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Friday, World!!! As many of you know its been a long week for me. My grandma died on Wednesday. It’s been quite hard for me deal with the grief. Dealing with the loss of my grandma is quite painful.

Gilbert, my therapist, and I talked about the pain, I’m dealing with regarding my grandma’s death. We discussed ways on how I can remember my grandma. I came up with the idea of a tattoo. I love tattoos and hope I can find one to remember my grandma by.

Something else Gilbert and I discussed was what I can do to have some structure this weekend as well as how I am going do some good self care. We talked about blogging and journaling to help with the processing part of my grandma’s death. We also talked about doing art the help me express my emotions. Reading books and comics also came up to help me escape reality in a healthy way for an hour or two at a time. We also discussed music and doing some workbooks.

Doing good self care is key to my recovery and one of those things is to go and eat something. So, I am going to go and get some dinner. Happy Friday. Peace Out, World!!!

Everyday Inspiration; Day 5: Hook ‘Em With a Quote

Posted on by Gertie

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt

The above quote by Eleanor Roosevelt “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” hits close to home for me. It hits close to home because I am in the process of believing that my dreams will come true. Dreams that will come true with hope and determination. Determination that has helped with my recovery process will help me with my dreams and future.

A future that includes me having a college education that allows me to move up the career ladder. One that will allow me to be much more than a Peer Specialist. One that will allow me to be a Case Manager and/or Therapist. This is why I believe in my dreams. Dreams that I know will come true even if it takes me longer than the average person.

Fun Fact Friday

Posted on by Gertie
  • The average woman uses her height in lipstick in five years
  • You cannot snore and dream at the same time.
  • In Uganda, 50% of the population is under the age of 15
  • About 8,000 Americans are injured by musical instruments each year.
  • The Twitter bird actually has a name – Larry
  • California has issued six drivers licenses to people named Jesus Christ.

Friday Morning Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is seven fifteen  in morning in my corner of the world. I didn’t get much sleep last night because two of my neighbors were arguing last night. When they weren’t arguing they were pounding on each other’s doors and just making it miserable for the rest of us who live on my floor.

I personally think I would have gotten more sleep if I my neighbors weren’t being jerks to each other. In fact, my neighbors yelling at each other severely triggered my PTSD. Almost severely enough to where it nearly put me into crisis mode.

Thankfully, I was able to prevent crisis mode by using my DBT Skills. If it weren’t for my skills I don’t know what I would be doing. I put on my headphones and listened to music to drown out my neighbors screaming while I read. Both of these skills helped me most of the night and didn’t put me into crisis mode.

Another skill that helps me is reading the news paper while drinking some hot tea. Like every day, there was only bad news. Apparently, there is suppose to be a storm coming to Seattle. Not sure if it’s going to happen as it appears that anytime a storm is expected it never happens.

Thank you for reading. Happy Friday!!! Peace Out, World!!!

 

 

A Little Buzzed

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! I’m a little buzzed from drinking some alcohol. I normally don’t drink but thought I would have a couple tonight. I don’t like the feeling of being buzzed. Alcohol and my meds usually don’t mix so I’m not sure if I will take them tonight as I don’t want to cause any problems.

Some people would say drinking alcohol during a painful time in my life is not wise and they would be correct. I realize this as I choose to not drink but on an occasional basis. I’m not drinking to make the pain go away or to escape it. I just thought I would enjoy some Irish Cream in my hot chocolate.

I miss my grandma and want to make her proud. I’m not sure how to do that right now but I want to make her proud of me.

Thank you for reading.

Thursday Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! As much as I am grieving, I have realized that the pain will take awhile to subside. As much as I want the pain to go away I have been doing a lot of things to distract myself from the pain.

The main thing I have been doing is reading. I have been reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb. I am taking a while to read it but I am enjoying the book. I have been reading Wonder Woman comic books as well. Reading is helping me get out of my head so I don’t have to deal with the pain. The pain of loosing my grandma.

Another thing that has been helpful is the support I am getting from my friends. Friends that have been quite helpful many times especially the last year. In times of loss you realize who your true friends are.

Thank you for reading. Have great night everyone and Peace Out, World!!!

Missing Grandma

Posted on by Gertie

Gooding Evening, World!!! I missing my grandma very much right now. I wish her death wasn’t so fucking painful. So painful that I have become numb. Numb to the emotional pain.

Pain I know I will get through with the help of my DBT skills. Skills like art and reading. Art helps me express my emotions while reading help me get out of my head for while.

I will first do some art. I most likely will color. Coloring is quite soothing for me. I will probably also paint.

After some art I’ll cuddle up in my pajamas with the quilt my grandma made me and read. Read the book I’ve been reading for while but still enjoying.

First and for most I need to get going so I can get something to eat. Thanks for reading. Peace Out, World!!!

The Day After

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! The last twenty four hours have been quite difficult for my family and I. It has been difficult because of the death of my grandma, yesterday.

As difficult as yesterday was for me, I realized on how much support I have. Support I didn’t realize I had much less folks who actually read my blog. For instance, a shout out to my recovery coach for reading my blog to see how I am doing. Thanks!!! Another shout out to both my case manager and therapist who have been reading my blog on the semi-regular basis to “check-up” on me. Even a shout out to my friends who read my blog to see how I am doing when I haven’t check-in with them.

Having the unexpected folk read my blog is a blessing to me. It’s a blessing because to me it shows they care and concerned for how I am doing especially those who identify as people with lived experience. The power of peer support is amazing.

As amazing as peer support is, I am grateful for it as well as grateful for the professionals in my life. My therapist and case manager are putting back on “daily check-ins” as a preventive measure. A preventive measure to help keep me on the path I want to be on. A path of recovery and to get back to work.

Thank you for reading. Peace Out, World

Everyday Inspiration; Day 4: A Story in a Single Image

Posted on by Gertie

As this woman walks through the woods I cant help but thinks about the peace it can bring her. If it brings me peace, I am sure it brings her peace. A peace that only nature can bring. A peace and contentment that can give one hope and inspiration. A hope that can change the world. A change in the world that will inspire others and give them hope. A hope that is being set by example. An example of hope all because of a walk in the woods.

Educational Piece: Grief & Loss

Posted on by Gertie

As, I stated on Sunday, I would try to do an educational piece on Thursdays. Well, it is Thursday and I have decided to do an educational piece on grief and loss. Grief and loss because of the loss of my grandma yesterday.

The five stages of grief:

  • Denial
  • Anger
  • Bargaining
  • Depression
  • Acceptance

Emotional symptoms of grief:

  • Shock & Disbelief
  • Sadness
  • Guilt
  • Anger
  • Fear

Physical symptoms of grief:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Low Immunity
  • Aches and pains
  • Insomnia

This just a tad bit of what I found out about grief and loss. I hope it helps anyone who is grieving right now.