Tag Archives: Mental Health

A Sleepless in Seattle Type of Night

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is just after three o’clock in the morning here in Seattle. Sadly, I cannot sleep. I am blaming it on insomnia. Insomnia sucks shit. At least I have today off so I can take it easy. Also, my cat, Billie Dean, is keeping me company with laying right beside me at the moment as I type this blog post.

The things that have been keeping me busy tonight since I am unable to sleep is listening to music while I do some art. I am listening to some AC/DC and Guns & Roses as I color. I am coloring a Mandela from a coloring book I bought on Amazon. As much as I am not a fan of buying stuff on Amazon, I am grateful for the coloring book options. For some reason coloring a Mandela while listening to eighty’s rock music is quite soothing. I love AC/DC and Gun & Roses.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post as I want to try to get some sleep. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader read my blog. If it weren’t for you the reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Looking Forward to Tomorrow

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! I am looking forward to tomorrow. I have decided to take tomorrow (Wednesday) off. Primarily because my cat, Billie Dean, is getting blood work done from the vet. Tomorrow will be Billie’s last time going to Dr. B because the property is being sold and she sadly can’t find any affordable commercial real estate. So, Billie is getting bloodwork done so we can have more up to date readings on his kidneys. This is so his new vet will have a baseline for the kidneys so he can be treated appropriately.

On that note, I will also be volunteering at PAWS Cat City. I love being able to pick up extra volunteer shifts when I can. I know this sounds weird and/or odd but volunteering at Cat City is a form of self care for me. It’s self care for me because it gives me more purpose in my life. Yes, my work gives me purpose however volunteering gives me even more purpose to my life.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Goodnight and Peace Out, World!!!

My Job is Awesome & I Love My Cat

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I just want to tell you that I love my job and it’s completely awesome. Yes, my job has it’s rough days however, I love it most days. Today, was one of many days I love. My job can be emotionally draining which is why I do my best to do good self care especially when my depression symptoms are acting up.

One of the ways I do good self care is go to therapy and stay in regular contact with her. For instance, I emailed my therapist to let her know about what is going on. She emailed me back thanking me for keeping her updated on things. I email her so when I see her next we can discuss it.

Another way I do self care is taking care of my cat, Billie Dean. In fact Billie is trying is hardest to “help” me write this particular blog post. I love my cat so much. It is hard to believe I’ve had him one year and seven and half months. Billie helps me realize there is more to this world than my job and myself. I am beyond grateful for Billie and love him so much.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

The Start of Another Work Week

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is Monday and the typical start of another work week. I personally don’t start work till twelve noon on Mondays. In fact Mondays are one of the two days I go into the office. I like the fact that I go into work on Mondays and Fridays as it makes my weekend feel like a weekend. I also enjoy working from home on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There are pros and cons to working in the office as well as working from home.

Despite having increased depression symptoms, I am grateful to be going into the office to work today. I think getting out of the house will help with the depression. I am also grateful that working helps with the depression. As much as I wish I didn’t struggle with depression, the depression is what helps me with my job as I need lived experience with a mental health challenge to have my job. As you can tell, I am trying to look at the silver lining in things at the moment.

The part I don’t like about going into the office is I don’t get to spend the day with my cat, Billie Dean. I really love my cat and miss him when I am not with him. Billie is my pride and joy. In fact Billie is my emotional support animal (esa) and helps with my depression a great deal. I love Billie so much.

I do not have much more to talk about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Sunday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Laundry

Monday

  •  Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Work

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Therapy
  • Work

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Take Billie to vet for bloodwork
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City

Thursday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Work

Friday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Work
  • Time with family

Saturday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Time with my cat Billie
  • Read
  • Art

Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

It is that time of week that I do a weekly check-in. Yes, I realize it has been a while since I have done a weekly check-in but I have decided to start doing them again. Let’s start with the obvious of how grateful I am for my cat Billie Dean. Billie has been so cuddly and lovey this past week. Billie being extra cuddly has been great since I have been dealing with increased anxiety and depression symptoms.

Since the symptoms of my anxiety and depression having been acting up, I took two mental health days off yesterday (Friday) and Thursday. Since I took Thursday and Friday off, I spent a lot of time reaching out to friends. Friends who have been quite supportive and helped me get through some tough moments.

Besides reaching out to friends, I have been listening to podcast and reading. I have been listening to podcast and reading about philosophy. The podcast I have been listening to is “Philosophize This.” The book I have been reading is by Plato called “The Republic and Other Works.” I have been on a philosophy kick lately especially since I have been reading about it.

I don’t have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I wouldn’t be writing this blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Friday Full of Blah’s

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Late Friday Evening, World!!! Well, it is still Friday in my neck of the woods that is known as Seattle. In fact, Seattle is now in the yucky season when it comes to weather which means rain. On a good note at least it is not snow. I am not a big fan of snow. Hell, I am not a big fan of the cold that comes with the snow. So, I guess, I am grateful for the typical Seattle weather that is currently happening.

Now that we are off the topic of weather, I didn’t go into work again today. Sadly, my anxiety and depression are still acting up. I wish it wasn’t. Maybe the weather does fit my mood. I wish my mood didn’t fit what the weather is doing outside here in Seattle. Having depression and anxiety acting up at the same time sucks shit. As much as I wish I wasn’t dealing with both anxiety and depression, I am glad I have been doing some self care

The self care I have been doing is listening to a podcast about philosophy. Specifically, the philosophy podcast, I have been listening to is Philosophize This. I really enjoy this podcast. The best part of listening to this podcast is I get to learn about stuff I didn’t learn in school.

As I listen to Philosophize This I color. I color because it is a form of mindfulness for me. It is a mindful meditation for me because it gives me a sense of peace and purpose. It helps me focus on what I need to do.

Another thing that gives me focus isn’t a thing but an animal. Billie Dean, my cat gives me focus. Billie also gives me purpose in my life. He gives me purpose because he depends on me. Billie depends on me by feeding him, cleaning out his litter box and of course playing with him as well as giving him pets and attention.

I not know have much more to talk about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I wouldn’t be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Peace Out, World!!!

Maintaining Good Mental Health

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, again, World!!! Today, I didn’t go to work and am taking a mental health day. I have been doing some self care stuff in my life to help me get through some rough moments which appear to be working. In fact what I am doing is coping skills to help with my self care today.

I have been reaching out friends and talking with them. Talking with supportive friends is quite helpful for me. I am glad to have such amazing friends.

I have also been listening to a podcast about philosophy which is extremely educating me as I never had the opportunity to learn about it in high schools which is quite disappointing for me. “Philosophize This has realized what books I can read to fuller my education even though I am not going through the college/university route as there are many routes to be educated. The book I have started reading is “The Republic and Other Works” by Plato. I owe this education to Steven West who is the podcaster of “Philosophize This” for wanting me to learn more.

And lets not forget my loving cat Billie Dean. Billie is my very own lap cat who loves me so very much. I am so grateful that he is in my life. I am grateful that he gives me the love I need.

Self care looks differently for everyone and that can also look differently from the same person depending on the day. Safe care is something we all need to focus on.

I don’t have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things. If it wasn’t for you the reader, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Still Doing Some Self Care

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! If you read my last two blog post you know, I took today off for a mental health day. I took a mental health day because my anxiety and depression are slightly acting up. I didn’t to get them in check before it got worse. Which I am grateful I am doing that and able to do so with my work.

Anyway, after the self care stuff I did in my last blog, I realized I was getting sleepy so I decided to take a nap and it was a good nap. I just hope I can get some some sleep tonight so I can function at work tomorrow. I really love my job and wish I didn’t need to take the day off today.

So, the next thing I plan on doing is reading The Republic and Other Works by Plato. Plato is a philosopher that I would like to learn from. So, far I am learning from Plato am grateful for the opportunity to read this book. It’s amazing what else I can learn about philosophy.

I owe it all to the podcast I am listening to on philosophy. The philosophy podcast that has me researching more is Philosophize This. So I am grateful for this learning opportunity. I hope to continue to learn about philosophy as I feel like I am getting an education for this podcast and what I am reading books about philosophy.

Now, it is not to chill out with my cat to read about Plato.

I don’t have much more to say this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you do read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, reading my blog, I wouldn’t be writer my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my blog for reading my blog. Have a great evening ahead. Peace Out, World!!!

Coping Skills I am Using While Being Annoyed with Anxiety and Depression

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! If you read my last blog post you know that I am taking a mental health day off because my anxiety and depression are getting in the way for me to be productive working today especially with clients. I don’t want my own issues to get in the way of be being productive at work.

On that note, I have been working on some art work. Specifically, I have been coloring. I color because it is a mindfulness meditation for me while I can be creative. It also gives me a sense of accomplishment was I am done with the coloring page. Feeling accomplished with a finished product is an amazing feeling.

As I color, I will be listening to music. Specifically, I will be listening to my recovery playlist. A playlist the helps me with my recovery and how far I have come. It also helps me realize how much more I can grow in my recovery. It also helps me be creative. Not only will I be listening to music, I will be listening to a podcast on philosophy. I love learning about philosophy. The philosophy podcast I will be listening to is “Philosophize This.” I really learn a lot from this podcast. It is nice to be able to listen to music as well as a podcast about philosophy as I color to be creative.

I also have decided that I will be reading as well. I will be reading the book “The Republic and Other Works” by Plato. Which goes along the lines the the topic of philosophy like the podcast I will be listening to. Apparently I am on a philosophy kick at the moment and I am okay with that because I am learning a lot from it.

Of course my cat is being a great comfort to me as my anxiety and depression are acting up and am grateful for Billie Deans unconditional love for me. Billie is such a love bug and enjoys being on my lap. I love my cat, Billie so much. Billie helps me keep grounded. He is an amazing little kitty. Actually not exactly little as he is 15 pounds. I love my cat so much.

Sadly, the weather in Seattle is a bit gloomy which doesn’t help with the depression but on that note, with all the self care things I am doing will help.

I don’t have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciative from end of things that you read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader reading my blog I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!