Tag Archives: Recovery

A Friday Morning Brief Life Update

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning and Happy Friday, World!!! It is a yucky rainy day here in Seattle. It’s even yucky for Seattle standards. As much as I am not liking this yucky weather, I do my best to keep in mind that today’s weather has me appreciate summer weather even more than I did when I lived in California.

As far as my new job goes, I am still loving it. It’s hard to believe that I have been at my new job for almost eight months. The team I am on is absolutely amazing. I am beyond grateful to be on such a great team with awesome people. I also love the fact that I get to help people with their recovery.

Now on to next update in my life. This past summer when I was talking to with my therapist in therapy, the topic of Autism got brought up due to what a doctor told me when I was in the emergency room. My therapist agreed with doctor that there is the possibility of autism and appreciated the fact that the doctor explained to me the meds they were giving was going to be a small dose as people with autism and ADHD tend to be super sensitive to certain meds. I appreciated that. Anyway, my therapist suggested that I read the book “Unmasking Autism” by Devon Price. I bought the book when she suggested it, and I am just now starting to read it. Anyway, fast forward to this past Wednesday, I saw my therapist for therapy, and I finally asked her for the first time (months after the first conversation) if she thought I am autistic and why. She said that she does think I’m autistic for various reasons such as my communication style and other things she mentioned such as the subtle stimming I do that nobody really notices as it is “not the typical stimming.” I appreciate my therapist being honest with me and allowing me to bring it up in my own time as she doesn’t like to bring up possible autism to folks due to how most people react. I personally wish she would have just told me but I’m glad she allowed me the space to bring it up in my own time. As far as testing goes, it is still several conversations to be had if I want to get tested. My therapist is happy that bought and reading the book she suggested which is “Unmasking Autism” by Devon Price. She is encouraging me to read it slowly with intention to learn.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except to say it is now time to cuddle with my cat, Billie. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Ghostbusters Come to Seattle with Pictures to Prove It – Now I think it’s time to go Ghost Hunting with Friends

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Right after I got off work, I took a Lyft to the pharmacy to pick up my medication which I just normally call my meds. Anyway, as I was walking home from the pharmacy, I saw this white SUV turned into the Ghostbuster’s car. I asked the nice man smoking a cigar if I could take a picture and he said “yes as long as you post somewhere on whatever social media shit you do. I want you to create a ghost hunt with your friends if you think it would be fun.” I told the nice man that I can get one going if not tonight it will be tomorrow night. He was pleased with the answer

The nice man smoking a cigar allowed me to take a picture of his Ghostbuster’s Car

So, I’m inviting two my friends in recovery, my best friend from high school, my partner and three colleagues from my work team. Everyone like the idea and will be ghost hunting tonight just for the fun of it. After doing some ghost hunting we will go get some food from Red Robin. I’m just glad my community like this idea and want to go with me. This going to be a fun night.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except that I can’t wait to tell you how the ghosts hunt went. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Brief Blog Before Going to Volunteer

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! Right now, I am dealing with some depression and PTSD symptoms which majorly sucks. I just want to stay home and do absolutely nothing. The thing is if I do then I will be stuck in my own head which isn’t very helpful at all. I can easily just call out from volunteering at PAWS Cat City but I am not going to do that because, I don’t want to be stuck in my own head, and I really do enjoy volunteering. Plus, I love cats. I am just happy that I have volunteering today as well as going out to dinner later to Red Robin with my partner and some of our friends. It also looks like it is going to be another beautiful day here in Seattle weather wise. I love today’s Seattle weather. Now time to give my own cat some loving before volunteering.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except that I need to volunteer with a bunch of cats and PAWS Cat City. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Monday Morning Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World and Happy Monday!!! It is beautiful day here in Seattle. It is going to be lovely weather today and it will be another “hot day” or at least hot for Seattle. I love this weather, and I am beyond grateful for the beauty here in Seattle.

As far as the beauty of Seattle, I am looking forward to the beauty of my workday. The beauty of my workday includes that of helping people with their recovery. For me finding the beauty in my work makes what I do well worth it especially when the people I help are struggling. I really enjoy what I do and it makes me happy.

Another thing that makes me happy is my cat, Billie. I best be going to cuddle with Billie before I go to work. I love my cuddle time with my precious kitty, Billie.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It’s that time of week again where I do my weekly check-in. Let’s discuss how work is going. My job is going quite well, and I love my job. Despite being informed that I am doing a good job at work I worry about not passing my probationary period due to my supervisor being out on leave to take care of his mom, I’ve been informed to not worry about as I am “doing a good job and going above and beyond the call of duty.”

Even though I have been told this, it still worries me but at least I am doing what I am supposed be doing. In fact, I am doing some trainings to help the people I help. The plus thing it is counting continuing education credits once the peer licensure changes. I am really enjoying the two trainings/continuing education courses I am taking. I am taking Personal Medicine Coaching that Pat Deegan created which is awesome as well as taking the Hearing Voices Facilitator training through the Hearing Voices Network USA. I really do enjoy the fact it is all peer focused, and the trainings are being facilitated by people who have lived experience and if for some reason I don’t pass my probationary period at work, I at least have more to add to my resume. Hell, even if I pass it still looks good on the resume. A good friend of mine as well as current colleague both tell me that I am experiencing something called imposter syndrome. I’m not sure if I am experiencing imposter syndrome or not, many people no matter their job title experience it.

I may not know if I have imposter syndrome regarding my job, my depression and PTSD symptoms have been acting up. I have a theory or two on why my symptoms are acting up, but I do know what is helping me cope with my symptoms. Going to work is helping just like volunteering at PAWS Cat City and with Alley Cat Project. Volunteering and working help a great deal but my cat, Billie is extremely helpful with coping. I am so very glad that I have my cat, Billie in my life to help me through good and bad moments as well as everything in between.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Fighting Off PTSD & Depression Symptoms

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Right now, I am struggling with some depression and PTSD. I wish I was not struggling with my PTSD or depression symptoms but I am. Since I am struggling with my mental health symptoms, I made sure I went to my regular volunteer shift at PAWS Cat City which helped a great deal. Now that I am home, I had a late lunch and cuddled with my cat, Billie as I did some artwork. The type of artwork that I did was color. Coloring is both therapeutic and meditative for me. Even though my PTSD and depression symptoms are acting up, I am glad volunteering at PAWS Cat City, cuddling with my cat, Billie and coloring have been helpful for me today. Let’s hope coloring continues to help me this evening. Cuddling with my cat, Billie is always helpful.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Looking Forward to Work Today

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is a beautiful sunny Monday here in Seattle. It is going to be a warm day which is something I really do enjoy. One of the good parts of it being a nice day outside today is that I will have an awesome view from my office at work.

Speaking of work, I am looking forward to work. In fact, I really like where I currently work as well as enjoy the team I work with. My colleagues are pretty awesome. Today, I will be doing some continuing education and training at work that I need for the state. It will be online which I am not a big fan of but at least I will be getting paid for it. I will still have appointments with the I help and that is the best part of my job. Being a part of someone’s recovery journey is one of the best parts of my job. Hell, it’s the most amazing part of my job.

The main draw back of my job or any job for that matter is the fact that I will be away from my cat, Billie. Billie is truly one of the most attached cats I have ever had. Plus, he is a very lovable cat who enjoys his belly being rubbed as well as being on my lap. He is my emotional support animal, and I am his emotional support human. Anyway, when I am work, I am going to miss my cat, Billie. I love him so very much and I am beyond grateful for his unconditional love.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except that I will miss my cat, Billie when I am at work, but I already informed you of that. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Life Updates

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! It has been a few months since I last posted. Actually, tomorrow marks three months since I last posted. I don’t have any excuses at all. Yes, I have been busy with life in general and my new job however I could have made time to post.

My new job is going quite well. It is hard to believe that I have been at my current job for three months now. I am really enjoying it. In fact, we recently hired a new nurse, and I was able to be part of the interview process. Every person on the team is a part of the interview process and I think that is an awesome idea especially since we are a small team of six people including myself (and the new nurse). I enjoy working with my colleagues and working with the young people I help. One of the best parts of my job is how close the team is as well as how much autonomy I have in my position. One of my favorite things about my current position as a Peer Support Specialist is that my supervisor and his boss as well as the organization I work for encourages me to attend trainings especially ones that are pertinent to my job. For example, I work with young folks from 15 years old to 40 years old who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis and my supervisor, and his boss are “thrilled” that I took the initiative to sign up to attend the Hearing Voices Facilitator training. Sadly, when I worked at another organization on a team that focuses on people who have a psychotic disorder it wasn’t encouraged for me to do this particular training even though it would have been beneficial for the people I helped with there as well as the people I currently help. I’m just happy I can do this training as it will allow me to help the people, I serve better and learn new skills to lean on for their recovery journey. I am thrilled that I can be part of someone’s recovery journey especially since most of the people I help are just starting their recovery journey.

Speaking of recovery journeys, mine is going quite well. Granted I am not where I would like to be like I was, in early 2022. Thankfully, I am doing better than I was in late summer of 2023 after being traumatized again. Sadly, my therapist has been out on FMLA and haven’t been able to have therapy, but I am grateful that my therapist is practicing what she preaches by taking time to take care of herself. My recovery is going relatively well. I’ve been taking my meds regularly, doing mindfulness meditation practices two to three times daily, going for two walks a day, making my bed, having a good sleep hygiene schedule and of course relying on my friends as well as my cat to help my recovery. I am just happy that my recovery is currently in a stable place and that I have my cat and some great friends a part of my life as I walk through my mental health recovery.

On that note, I am still struggling with grief over the death of both of my parents. It has been seven months since my mom died and five months since my dad died. I miss both of them dearly. I just wish I can hug both of them one last time as well as hear them say “I love you” one more time. I am grateful that my cat, Billie is there to help me with the grief just like my friends are helping me through the grief after losing both of my parents within two months of each other. I have an amazing cat as well as some pretty amazing friends who help me through some of the toughest moments of grief.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post except that I hope to blog on the more regular basis, so I don’t leave you the reader hanging. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Wednesday Morning Ramblings

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! It is Wednesday morning here in Seattle and I am tired as hell. I did not sleep very well last night. It was partly due to the fact that I have been ruminating about the job I interviewed for Tuesday of last week. I am ruminating about it because I am wondering if I got the job or not especially since they asked for references. I was informed that I would hear back from them by the end of this week at the latest. I am starting to doubt that I am getting the job, and I really would like this job.

On that note, I am seeing my therapist later on this morning. I have been bottling up my anger and not doing what helps. Thankfully, I have not emotionally exploded on anyone but that is a concern of mine. I figure if I can discuss my anger with my therapist, it could be helpful. I am not angry with my therapist, but I am grateful that she can hold space for me especially when I am dealing with my anger. I am grateful to have a therapist that allows me to feel all the feels and lets me show them.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!

Still Waiting for Amazon to Deliver Packages

Posted on by Gertie

Good Afternoon, World!!! I am still waiting on two packages I ordered from Amazon. One package has a couple of books in it while the other has a couple recovery related workbooks. I know I should have had them delivered to an Amazon locker, but I also didn’t realize that one of the packages would be delivered a day late. I just hope I get both packages today especially since I paid extra money for the math books to be delivered yesterday. Sadly, Amazon refuses to refund the extra money I paid for delivery to happen yesterday regarding the math books I ordered.

As I have been waiting on my Amazon packages, I have been dividing up my time between doing some math and recovery related workbooks. As I have been working on the math and recovery related workbooks, I have been eating some Girl Scout cookies. I love Girl Scout cookies especially the Thin Mints. Who doesn’t like Girl Scot cookies? I am so very grateful for Girl Scout cookies.

I do not have anything else to discuss or share or to write about in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you the reader for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog 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!!!