Tag Archives: Mental Health

Experiences Have A Beginning & An End

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I’m feeling slightly calmer than I was an hour or two of ago. That is because I used the Calm app and did a few pages in my mindfulness workbook. It appears that todays topic in both avenues of my mindfulness was experiences have a beginning and an end. Mainly talking about letting go of emotions. Both the app and the workbook was discussing on how to let go of emotions and they don’t last forever. Even the good emotions.

This is helping me come to terms with both the negative and positive emotions that a coming up for me in my life. Such as my grandma being in hospice and me having job interviews. I’m hoping that with continued mindfulness and meditation practice that I will just be able to let go of emotions or at least be accepting of them.

Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful evening and Peace Out World!!!

Tuesday Afternoon, Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I had my interview this morning. They were already running late at 8:30 in the morning but considering what I witnessed in the waiting room I understood. The interviewers were “impressed” how I handled the client crisis and helped with the other clients in the waiting room. I asked the other clients what music they liked and started playing music suggestions from my phone.  I was informed that it helped the need to deal with the crisis at hand without creating a bigger one. I wasn’t doing anything out of the norm for me. I was just doing what was needed at the time. In the interview they asked what ways I would handle a client in crisis in a treatment room. I said I would have art supplies available at hand. Again, I impressed them and wasn’t attempting to do so.

When I got home from the interview I turned on some music and did some art. Specifically, painting about recovery. Like I’ve said in other post, art helps me express my emotions and I must be feeling hopeful.

Thank you for reading. Have a great rest of the day. I know I will. Peace Out, World!!!

It Takes Courage to Follow Your Own Path

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning!!! I sit here at my laptop this morning figuring out how it takes courage to follow my own path. Part of why I am thinking about this is because of my interview today as well as tomorrow.

As many of you know my path includes getting back into working as a Peer Specialist. If the interviews don’t work out into getting jobs, I plan on going back to school. Going to school to get an Associates of Applied Science in Social and Human Services and then a Bachelors in Applied Behavior Science at a local community colleges. While getting an education I plan on continuing to volunteer.

Another thing I am planning on doing weather I’m working or going to school is to set up art shows displaying art that consumers do at conferences that are Peer and/or Behavioral Health and/or Legislative related. This is to help show that no matter if one has a job or not we can live productive lives through art.

Thank you for reading. Have a great day. Peace Out, World!!!

Woo Hoo!!! I Got Some Sleep

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is 3:33 in the morning and I am up however I am excited because I actually got some sleep. Some much needed sleep. Sleep that I was thrilled to get.

Since I am up two hours earlier than expected for my job interview, I’m going to make myself and Junior a good and yummy breakfast. I think I’m going to make French Toast, scrambled eggs and chocolate milk.

After I eat I think I’m going to do my mindfulness workbook as it helps me stay focused and learn how to be my mindful of any situation I may be currently in. One thing I need to be mindful of is my job interview that is in roughly five hours from now.

I am looking forward to my job interview. It’s with any agency that is all for Peers. They are known to the community as being “Pro-Peer.” Something, that I am for is an agency that creates a good environment for Peer Specialist.

I should get going so I can follow through with what I told you I would do. I hope everyone has a good Tuesday and good day at work or whatever you do. Peace Out, World!!!!

Looks Like I Might Be Able To Sleep

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! I’m realizing that I’m tired and might be able to sleep at some point tonight. I forgot to tell you in my last post that when I talked to Gilbert, we discussed the Photography course I’m take through WordPress. To find out that he too, likes to do photography. It’s nice to know that sometimes therapist can be human with you. It make them more real.

Speaking of being real, I’m thinking I should get going because I am falling asleep at my laptop and don’t have to fall asleep while posting. Thanks for reading. Peace Out, World!!

Ramblings About Work & Education

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I’ve been thinking about my future and what I want to do. Yes, I want to go back to work and plan on doing so when the opportunity  arises to do so. I’m wanting to go back to school to get an Associates and Bachelors degree at a local community college. The Associates would be in Social and Human services and the Bachelors would be in Applied Behavior Science. Both which would help me advance in my career.

I saw Gilbert today and we discussed the about education and work. He likes the idea that I am being future oriented. He also likes the fact that my depression symptoms are improving. He also talked about the hope I have with how things are going at the moment.

Thank you for reading. Peace out World!!!

Photo 1; Day 4: Bliss

Posted on by Gertie

Today’s topic was a little more difficult to do as I already talked about what gives me bliss and that is water. So I decided I would show you my tattoos again and what they mean to me.

1030151853The above picture is that of my semi-colon tattoo. For those who are site impaired it has a black out line and filled in with purple. It is on my inner wrist. I got this tattoo as reminder on how far I have come in my recovery and on what NOT to do when things get tough. That is to self-harm and/or attempt suicide.

IMG_0001The above picture is that of a tattoo of a butterfly. Its a doily, lacey type looking butterfly that is black outlined and no color. It is on my upper arm/shoulder and the butterfly resembles hope for me. It reminds me that through the darkness the butterfly goes through as caterpillar there becomes a beautiful being of a butterfly. So it resembles beauty through the darkness and hope.

Thank you for reading. Have a good work week everyone. Peace Out, World!!!

Stereotypes, Everyone Has Them

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I have decided to do a post on stereotypes because lets face it; everyone has them. Stereotypes differ from person to person and one’s culture could play major role in how we stereotype others.

I’ve been thinking a great deal about this for a multitude of reasons. One of the reasons is I’ve seen multiple negative post about millennials on Facebook. Yes, I have seen some funny post posted by millennials yet the negative post I’ve seen have been posted by folks in my generation. I know that many folks in the generation before mine had their stereotypes of Generation Xers as being the “lazy generation.” I don’t know about being lazy but I do know this partly why folks in different generations to not respect those who of a different age.

Another stereotypes are race and ethnicity. For example some folks thinks all Asians are geniuses because they do well in school and in the business and technology aspects in life. While another stereotype which is unfortunately a negative one is that those who are Hispanic or Latino/Latina are illegal immigrants. Similar thing to African American people specifically males that they are all thugs or gang members. Or those who are in the LGBTQ community are all child molesters.  Having stereotypes toward folks is never a good thing as you are judging someone by the color of their skin.

Same thing goes towards people with disabilities and mental health conditions/challenges as individuals usually don’t act and/or learn the same way everyone else does. So what if this is true. Those of use with disabilities and/or mental health conditions tend to be more caring, loving, compassionate and empathetic than others.

Folks are stereotyped by there gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, education, and so on. So I ask that we put away are stereotypes of people and get to know them as a person. Thanks you for reading my blog. Peace Out, World

 

Sleepless, Once Again, in Seattle

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I’m Sleepless in Seattle, once again. Since, I am having trouble I decided to work on my workbook: The Queer & Transgender Resilience Workbook. I am finding this quite challenging for me as its really digging deep into who I am as a genderqueer non-conforming person. Stuff that I’ve been talking to both my therapist, Gilbert, and case manager about. They are helping me process what I need to while doing this workbook.

I also decided to start another self-help work book called The Mindfulness Workbook. It’s a beginners guide to overcoming fear and embracing compassion. I figured since one of my goals for 2018 was to increase my mindfulness and meditation skills. I am incorporating this into my daily practice now in the mornings.

Mindfulness seems to be helping me a great deal with my emotions and how I reacting to them and situations. Gilbert even mentioned it on Friday which shocked me as I wasn’t sure he was observing that.  It’s even helping my mental health symptoms.

Unfortunately, the lack of sleep is not helping with the mental health symptoms which is why I should get going. I think I will try to go and attempt to get some sleep. Thank you for reading. Peace Out, World

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

I almost forgot to do my weekly plans post. I did really well with what I planned for last week except for specific blog post and going to Social Security.  Here is what I have planned for this week and everything for today is already accomplished.

Sunday:

  • Blog. Well I’ve done this quite well as this is my sixth blog of the day.
  • Workbook. Done
  • One load of laundry. I did two loads
  • Buy new black dress shoes for interviews this week. Done
  • Get phone fixed. Done
  • Take out garbage. Done.

Monday:

  • See psychiatric nurse practitioner
  • Attend Knitting Group
  • Attend Art Group
  • See Gilbert for therapy
  • Workbook
  • Clean Kitchen and Entry way.
  • Blog

Tuesday:

  • Job interview
  • See Recovery Coach
  • Workbook
  • Clean Living Room
  • Blog

Wednesday:

  • Job interview
  • Therapy with Gilbert
  • Workbook
  • Continue Cleaning living room
  • Blog

Thursday:

  • Social Security
  • Workbook
  • Blog
  • Clean Bedroom

Friday:

  • Blog
  • Workbooks
  • Therapy with Gilbert
  • Clean Bedroom and bathroom

Saturday:

  • Blog
  • Workbook
  • Volunteer at Warm Line

I will be also visiting my grandma everyday I am able to. I hope everyone has a good week. Have a goodnight. Peace Out, World!!!