Tag Archives: Reading

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!!!

After Work Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I am now off work. I am having some anxiety and am unsure where it is coming from. It is something I just need to be aware of and not worry about why I am anxious. Worrying why I am anxious can cause me to be more anxious. Being more anxious can become an issue that I don’t want to deal with in this current moment.

As I type this particular blog post, my cat, Billie Dean is on my lap. Billie is help a great deal to lessen my anxiety which is a good thing. After I am done writing this blog post and I post it, I will be reading a book. I will be reading as reading helps with my anxiety. So, reading and having my cat Billie on my lap with be of great help to me regarding the anxiety I am currently dealing with.

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 my reader, I wouldn’t be writing this blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Trying Out New Bedtime Routine

Posted on by Gertie

Hello, World!!! I am trying out a new bedtime routine tonight. I know from times past when I try a new bedtime routine it won’t work right away as I need to make it a routine to have it work. That means if it doesn’t work tonight, I continue to try doing it for a few weeks to see if it will work or not.

I will start not being on my computer or watching the television an before I plan to go to bed. When I do this I will spend doing a ten minute mindfulness meditation on my phone from the Calm App. After that I will snuggle into bed and start reading. Reading a book of my choosing. Specifically a book that is meant to fun such as fantasy or science fiction. I plan on doing this as to help relax me and make it easier to get to sleep.

Of course my cat Billie Dean will be next to me as part of my bedtime routine as he has been a part of it since his first night home. It is always nice to have Billie sleep with me.

So, here is having my new bedtime routine helps with my sleep as 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 do read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reading I would not be continuing to write my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Restarting to Read Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is midnight in my corner of the world which is Seattle, Washington. I am at a loss of what to do as I need to keep myself occupied. I have decided to start reading the book “Ship of Magic” by Robin Hobb. Every time I pick it up start getting into it a major life event happens. I will not let another life event get in the way of reading “Ship of Magic.”

Robin Hobb is a local author the lives in the Seattle/Tacoma areas. I met her twice while she was signing books. She appears to be a very down to earth type of person who doesn’t let their celebrity get in the way. She is a very sweet person.

Anyway, I am going to end this particular blog post so I can get back to reading. I want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Still No Sleep In Seattle

Posted on by Gertie

It is now 12:29 in the afternoon here in Seattle. I still have not been to sleep and I am cranky as fucking hell. I’ve been ready some magazines about mindfulness and meditation that seems to be helping. They seem to be helping because that have some journaling accepts to them which is pretty cool. I am also reading a magazine specifically geared to be more creative and want to be more creative.

That sad part of all this is since I am lacking sleeping my comprehension skills suck shit right now. I think I am going to call this a post and end it for now now. I hope everyone has a great weekend ahead of them. Peace Out, World!!!

A Sleepless Kind of Night in Seattle

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World from Seattle, Washington. I have yet been to sleep and it is 6:12 in the blasted morning here in Seattle. I am proud to say that the lack of sleep helped me be productive in ways I have been so the last few times Mr. Sandman has not exactly stopped at my home.

I started reading a book and read six chapters in it. It is quite an interesting book. I then picked up another book a read four chapters in that book. My dilemma is now what book I am going to focus on reading. Both books are quite interesting. I know there a bigger problems in the world that figuring out what book to read like being able to get to sleep.

I decided to do some art work. Specifically, I did some coloring that was not even a quarter done when I started coloring it tonight. Well, I can officially say that it is one hundred percent done and it only took me three and a half hours to finish. You would think that would have helped me get to sleep but sadly it did not.

So, I did decided to read some magazines about both mindfulness and meditation that included journaling. I found this extremely helpful to me. As it appeared to be the second best thing to help me relax. The first thing that of course helped me relax and that is finally making me tired is my cat, Billie Dean. I love my cat Billie so much. Life would not be the same with out him.

I don’t have much more to say in this post except thank you for reading my blog. I really appreciated that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my hear for reading my blog. Have a great Saturday day ahead of you. Peace Out, World!!!

Yet, Another Post About my Depression

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! It is two days shy of a month since I last blogged. I do not have an excuse of why I haven’t blogged in nearly a month. Or at least an excuse that I feel okay with because there isn’t an excuse good enough for why I haven’t blogged.

Right now my depression is acting up. I am wondering if the increased depression is due to the time of year or due to Covid-19 or due to the up coming elections here in the United States or all of the above. No matter the reason the why I am dealing with increased depression symptoms at least I am aware of it and that it is currently a mild case for me. I know I shouldn’t be dismissive of my depression symptoms as being “mild,” its just that they could be much, much worse.

As far as trying to make myself feel better, spending time with my cat, Billie Dean is quite helpful. Billie is very much a cuddly cat and loves to spend as much time as he can on my lap. I love Billie so much and am grateful for his unconditional love. The love of an animal is the best feeling in the world.

Another way, I am going to do to help with the depression is to read. I most likely will read the fantasy/science fiction book that I am currently reading. Reading helps me cope with my reality. It helps me forget my reality for an hour or two at time without doing harm to myself.

I do not have much more to say as I want to go read. I want to thank you all for reading my blog. I am greatly appreciative that you have chosen to read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope you all have a great day. Peace Out, World!!!

Sleepless in Seattle Type of Night

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is almost one o’clock in the morning in my corner of the world of Seattle. I am unable to sleep due to insomnia and it fucking sucks. As much as having insomnia suck, there is a plus side to it at times and tonight is one of those times.

Tonight is one of those times because I get to catch up on a couple of things as my cat, Billie Dean, lays in my lap. Billie is happy as a clam when he is able to be in my lap. Or at least it appears that way to me. I love my cat, Billie so very much.

As Billie, happily lays in my lap I have been catching up on my reading. Specifically, I have been reading Star Wars, Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn. Tonight I have read the first five chapters and am about to start chapter six. Actually, I am debating if I should start chapter six tonight as I am really getting into the book. When I get into a book, I tend to read as much as I can before getting too exhausted to where I am not able to function and really need to get some sleep. Not only to I not sleep, I forget to eat when I am really into a book.

Since I am really, getting into Star Wars, Heir to the Empire and am needing to stop reading for the night, I am going to listen to a podcast. A podcast about philosophy. Specifically, I will be listening to Philosophize This as I want to be able to get caught up to present day episode. I really like how Stephen West presents the topic of philosophy which is part of the reason why I really like the podcast. I am learning stuff I wish they would have taught in high school especially since I have not had the luxury to attend college.

Now that you know what I have done tonight and what I am going to do next, I am going to end this particular blog post for now. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I really hope everyone is having a good nights sleep and hope you have a great Tuesday ahead when you wake up. Peace Out, World!!!

Yucky Weather Fits My Mood

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Right now I am dealing with increased depression symptoms. I am not a big fan of my symptoms increasing but at least the weather reflects my current mood of depressed. Depression sucks no matter the time of year but it feels easier to deal with when the weather is yucky outside.

Having depression sucks shit but at least I trying to do something to improve it even in the slightest. One of the things I am doing is cuddling up in my new Wonder Woman fleece blanket that I ordered on Amazon. It came yesterday (Wednesday) which was a day early. I am so grateful that it came early as it has been quite helpful with soothing me.

Something else that has been helpful is my cat, Billie Dean. Billie has been cuddling with me and my new Wonder Woman blanket. At this point in time, it is hard to figure out who likes the blanket more, me or Billie. I am beyond grateful that Billie knows when I need some extra cuddles. I love Billie so much and am glad he is in my life.

Another thing that I have been doing to help combat my depression and the gloominess is reading. I am currently reading a fantasy book that a friend suggested I read. I am enjoying the book so far. I enjoy reading fantasy and science fiction genre books. It helps me get out of my own head.

I think I will get going and end this particular blog post so I can get back to reading. I would like to thank all of you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my perspective that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great night. Peace Out, World!!!

Excited as Hell

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I realize it has been awhile since I last blogged. A lot has happened and will attempt to catch you up in another blog post as this post is about something I am way excited for.

Every year for the last five years there has been a conference specifically for folks who are Peer Specialist aka Peer Counselors. This year is the fifth annual Peer Pathways Conference in Washington (State). I have been attending since the second annual Peer Pathways Conference. In fact I have been volunteering every year I have attending including this year. The only difference about this conference versus previous years is that it is all virtual due to the pandemic. Anyway, I am looking forward to the conference.

I am looking forward to the conference more so this year as one of the people who has inspired me will be one of the keynote speakers. That person is Elyn Saks the author of The Center Cannot Hold. A friend of mine suggested to me about eight to ten years ago to read the book and I did. Since after reading Elyn Saks memoir she has been an inspiration to me ever since. I am so excited. I am looking forward to it.

I do not have much more to say in this 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. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a great week ahead of them. Peace Out, World!!!