Tag Archives: Mental Health

Everyday Inspiration; Day 8: Reinvent the Letter Format

Posted on by Gertie

Dear Bullies and the Adults that protected the bullies,

I am writer this letter to those who bullied me in high school and the adults who protected them. Due to being bullied, I now have PTSD. Yes, I have PTSD from other trauma’s I had to endure throughout my childhood and adulthood. I just want you to know that you bullying me gave me PTSD and caused the depression I was dealing ended spiraling down hill to where I tried to take my own life.

Despite trying to take my own life, I have managed to because a successful adult. An adult that was able to become a strong person despite the hate I had to endure because of you and the adults that made excuses for you. I am a strong person despite you and the shit you did to me.

Sincerely,

Gertie

Everyday Inspiration; Day 7: Let Social Media Inspire You

Posted on by Gertie

I am not a big fan of social media even though I do have a Facebook account, a Twitter account and a LinkedIn account for my blog Gerties Journey. I also have a Facebook account for myself under my given name. Anyway, it is challenging to find some form of inspiration from any type of social media unless I feel up to having arguments with other people and having a butt load of unwanted emotions.

It has been my experience that people on Facebook and Twitter like to argue with each other. When it comes to LinkedIn at least people are civil with each other. Other social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, I have know clue. As far as blogging here on WordPress the arguing is pretty minimal if there is any at all.

I guess what I am saying is social media isn’t very inspiring to talk about or at least to get inspired by to be able to write about. It saddens me as I wish I could get some form of inspiration that didn’t bring up negative or undesired emotions.

Too Much to Digest from Conference that I Can’t Sleep

Posted on by Gertie

It is five thirty in the morning on a Saturday morning. This years conference was overall good with some glitches. The glitches ended up getting fixed. I really enjoyed the conference for the moment a part. I enjoyed the workshops I attended and learned what I needed to learn as well as learn on how I can become a better peer. I a guess I am just venting with how tough the conference was this year.. Thank you all for attending the Peer Pathways conference. as I have insomnia from it due to the amount I have a learned.

Friday is Nearly Over & I Need to Update You on the Conference I Attended

Posted on by Gertie

I realize that this post is a wee bit late as what I am a bout to talk about is an amazing conference that I attended with fellow peer specialist. Peer Specialist that are very near and dear to my heart. With out the encouragement from these amazing people I don’t think I would have even imagined receiving what I received as I personally think other peer deserving of was I received. I received an award that I don’t I think should have been given to me but that is my own insecurities getting to me. I think I am proud of myself for receiving it.

As far as the rest of the conference went, it went well. I was able to receive some new networks in my pocket as well as well as reconnect with others. The peer community is an amazing set of people you can ever meet. You make forever friends in the peer community and each one of them is a precious person.

The best part is when this group of people believe in the work that you do that they think you deserve an award that your fellow peers nominate you for. So thank you for the award even though many others deserve it as well.

Sadly, the conference was done virtually so it was on via Zoom. There were some glitches but that is okay because it helps up peers to be more resilient.

Thank you for the award and am grateful that I was honored for the award. I would like to thank you my reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. If it were not for my reading I would not be blogging. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you. Peace Out, World!!!

Everyday Inspiration; Day 6: The Space to Write

Posted on by Gertie

Hello!!! When it comes to the space to write, it all depends what exactly I am writing. Let use blogging as an example at this current time. For me to be able to blog, I need to have internet connection as well as my laptop with me. I also need to make sure that if I blog that there is no chance of drizzle or rain as I live in Seattle.

When it comes to writing poetry, I just need to make sure I have a pen or pencil as well as some paper. I also have to make sure if I write outside that the weather isn’t drizzly or rainy especially in the autumn and winter months. Poetry is something I may or may not share with other depending how personal it is.

When it comes to journaling, I make sure I have a writing utensil and my current journal. I usually do this in the privacy of my own home. If I am not home and say on vacation, I do this in a private room. Journaling is a private thing I do and most of the time I don’t share them.

Writing spaces can be different for everyone. When I write at home I have a space at my creative table to do so. I just have to make sure there is room for my cat at the table so he can lay right by me as I write. My cat, Billie Dean appears to want to be near me when I am being creative which includes writing. I really like that fact that Billie like to be near me as I write as it seems to be that it helps me not have writers block.

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

Posted on by Gertie

The future belongs to those who believe the beauty of their dreams.

Eleanor Roosevelt

I’ve chosen this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt because it has helped me a great deal with figuring out what my dreams are as well as being able to accomplish my dreams. In my case my the dreams I am thinking about are around my career. My career of being a peer support specialist also known as a peer counselor. This quote has helped me believe in myself that I can do anything including being able to be in recovery with my mental health challenges. Being in recovery means I am able to succeed in whatever I want to succeed in which includes my job. I love my job with a passion and am beyond grateful for Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote.

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

Posted on by Gertie
A woman with back toward us, walking in the woods.

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.

Everyday Inspiration; Day 3: One-Word Inspiration

Posted on by Gertie

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.

Everyday Inspiration; Day 2: Write a List

Posted on by Gertie

Things I’ve Learned

  • I’ve learned the beauty of recovery
  • I’ve learned the value of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills
  • I’ve learned it’s nots the other person responsibility on how I react to their behavior
  • I’ve learned the value of having a cat being around the home
  • I’ve learned the value of friends
  • I’ve learned to enjoy each moment I have with family
  • I’ve learned that it is okay to see a therapist
  • I’ve learned that it is okay to ask for help when I need especially if it is regarding my mental health and my recovery

Everyday Inspiration; Day 1: I Write Because…

Posted on by Gertie

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.