Tag Archives: Therapy

Restarting Something Helping Me with My Recovery

Posted on by Gertie

Good Night, World!!! It is nearly midnight in my neck of the world known as Seattle. At the beginning of this years I started going to a twelve-step program that more focused on recovery with changing yourself than exclusively only using the twelve-steps. The twelve-steps is more of a guide and the focus of changing yourself and reparenting yourself is the key to this program. Anyway, I hadn’t been in over six months till tonight and am grateful I went. I am thinking this will be part of my recovery as I need to learn to deal with my inner child and how to reparent myself.

In fact this something I have been starting work on with my relatively new therapist. So, I feel like going to this program and therapy will be have great help in my own recovery. Therapy and the twelve-step program isn’t the only way I need to continue to help with my recovery is going for daily walks twice daily, doing daily mindfulness meditation practice and of course spending time with my beloved cat, Billie Dean. Billie really helps my recovery.

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 do read my blog. If it wasn’t for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. So, again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Another Self Care Day from Work

Posted on by Gertie

Good Friday, Evening, World!!! I am taking another self care day from work for my mental health. It was triggered by a therapy session I had this past Tuesday. As much as I wish I wasn’t triggered to where I didn’t need to take time off for mental health reasons, I look at is as a sign of strength. A strength to take care of myself.

Today and yesterday have not been a waste of time in regards to work as I have been reading two books that are completely different but very similar. As a colleague says seeing parallels in books that are so opposite from either is awesome and a great way to learn. I am hoping to post about the intersections of the books into both my profession and personal live which I find fascinating. Reading even though it is both for professional and personal live for me is a form or self care for me.

Another form of self care for me was spending time with my beloved cat Billie Dean. Billie is an amazing 15 pound kitty that loves me unconditionally. I am so grateful that he is in my life. I hope he knows how much I love him back. Despite the weather today in Seattle, I still managed to get in a walk. In fact, I go two walk in today which is a great thing.

I did have a brief check in with my therapist today via the phone. The check in with my therapist was quite helpful and think she is a great fit for me and my recovery. I am grateful to be able to have access to therapy as many people sadly do not have access to therapy.

I do not have much more to discuss in the particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog post. 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!!!

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Sunday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Walk
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Listen to the podcast “Philosophize This”
  • Read “The Republic and Other Works” by Plato
  • Hang out with my cat, Billie Dean

Monday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Walk
  • Listen to the podcast “Philosophize This” 
  • Work
  • Read “The Republic and Other Works” by Plato
  • Hang out with my cat, Billie

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness medication practice
  • Walk
  • Therapy
  • Work
  • Listen to the podcast “Philosophize This”
  • Read the book “The Republic and Other Works” by Plato
  • Hang out with my cat, Billie

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Walk
  • Work
  • Listen to the podcast “Philosophize This” 
  • Read the book “The Republic and Other Works” by Plato
  • Hang out with my cat, Billie

Thursday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Walk
  • Work
  • Listen to the podcast “Philosophize This” 
  • Read the book “The Republic and Other Works” by Plato
  • Hang out with my cat, Billie

Friday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Walk
  • Work
  • Listen to the podcast “Philosophize This”
  • Read the book “The Republic and Other Work” by Plato
  • Hang out with my cat, Billie

Saturday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Walk
  • Listen to the podcast “Philosophize This” 
  • Read the book “The Republic and Other Works” by Plato

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!!!

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

Sunday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Get meds
  • Clean apartment

Monday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Coffee/Tea with friend
  • Work

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Therapy appointment with therapist
  • Med appointment with psychiatrist nurse practitioner
  • Work

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Work
  •  Dinner with grandpa

Thursday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Work
  • Dinner with a friend

Friday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Work
  • Dinner by myself at Red Robin

Saturday

  • Mindfulness meditation practice
  • Clean apartment

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Sunday

  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Read
  • Mindfulness practice
  • Go for a walk

Monday

  • Mindfulness practice
  • Go for a walk
  • Work

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness practice
  • Therapy
  • Work

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness practice
  • Peer Pathways Conference
  • Darci Lynne concert

Thursday

  • Mindfulness practice
  • Peer Pathway Conference
  • Hang out with my cat Billie Dean

Friday

  • Mindfulness practice
  • Day off from work
  • Clean apartment
  • Read
  • Hang out with cat Billie

Saturday

  • Mindfulness practice
  • Read
  • Hang out with cat Billie

Therapy + Infected Toe + Urgent Care +Migraine + Vomiting + A Loving Kitty = Moments of Gratitude & Good Self Care

Posted on by Gertie

Good afternoon, World. I will be showing you a picture of my infected left big tow. It hurts like hell but at least its not an ingrown toenail that is infected. The doctor at urgent care says I don’t have an ingrown toenail. The doctor says the infection is most likely caused due to a recent hang nail. As much as it hurts like hell, I took the day off yesterday. The picture below is the the picture of my left foot showing you the big toe infection. I did put a caption with it for those reader who are sight impaired.

Infected big toe on left foot.

I did go to urgent can and was able get a note for missing work yesterday. Sadly, I didn’t really that the medicine of antibiotics are making me nauseas and makes me vomit if I don’t eat something with it. Due to that reason, my employer won’t allow me to come into work today or tomorrow as a precautionary thing just in case it is Covid-19 when I know it is not. But better to make sure even if it is the medicine the doctor proscribed me. Not anyone’s fault the the med makes me sick if I don’t eat with it. That is why I am going to get a doctor’s note for today and tomorrow as a precaution.

I am grateful that my job is so cool with making sure we make sure we do good self care. In fact the med is giving me a migraine as well as the vomiting which sucks but I know what I need to do to take care of myself.

Speaking of taking care of myself I saw my therapist yesterday before I went to urgent care and she agreed going to urgent care is a form of self care. My therapist is amazing and supports my decision as how can I help others affectively if I am not taking care of myself. She has a really good point.

Since she has a good point I contacted my primary care doctor to write a note for me missing work for today and tomorrow. so I can get a note.

On that note I am doing some good self care by reading, coloring and of course spending time with my Cat Billie Dean. Billie, appears to be loving it as I am. I love my cat and the weather outside cant make up its mind at the mind. I will go and take a walk later even if it is only for 5 minutes.

I don’t have much more to say. I do 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. I hope you have a great day. Peace Out, World!!!

Ramblings About Today

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! I missed my session with my new therapist on Tuesday and she called me today to do fifteen minute session. Something I wasn’t expecting but I am very much grateful for the time she gave me. Her kindness is awesome. I am a little weary of her being so timid but I will give her a chance as sometimes the timid ones tend to be the best therapist I have had.

I did work from work from home today. I only had three clients today and all were done via phone. The other part of the day was a two hour meeting as well as writing notes. According to the Clinical Director, I “write really good notes.” I am not sure about that but I having to train all the Peer Specialist how to write them when the lead peer comes back from leave. I am not sue how this person will react as I have only be at my new employer for five months. I really do love my job.

As much as I love the work I do, I do need time to take care of myself. So I am spending this evening doing art. The type of art I am doing is coloring. I love coloring as it is quite helpful. I colored as I listened to a podcast about philosophy. The specific podcast I listened to is Philosophize this. I learned a great about philosophy and finished a picture that I am proud of.

Now it is time for me to turn on the music full blast as I clean my bathroom. Doesn’t sound very fun but I enjoy cleaning the bathroom especially since that is where my cats litter box is. I love my cat Billie Dean so much that I clean the bathroom everyday. Billie seems to like it as I play some really good music.

I don’t have much more to say in this particular blog post. I, do, however, 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. It means a great deal to me. Have a great evening. Peace Out, World!!!

Today’s Weather Fits My Mood

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, World!!! I realize it has been quite awhile since I last blogged. I can come up with a million excuses. Some of which are legit excuses however I’m not going to use them as I know I can make time to blog. I know I can make time to blog as I have done it before.

Enough of me talking about blogging and making time for it. Time to discuss how I am currently feeling. I am depressed. I am not one hundred percent sure why I am currently depressed but I know I will get through this as I have done it before in the past. Being depressed suck but at least the current weather here in Seattle fits my mood.

The weather in Seattle is a bit on the dreary side. It is grey, slightly sprinkling with a breeze which is a typical Seattle day or at least for this time of year as well as early autumn. As much as I am not a fan of current weather, I am grateful for it because it fits my mood as well as it makes it easier to work from home.

Working from home isn’t all that easy especially when it is nice outside. Working from home has it’s pro’s and con’s. One con is that I get distracted easier which is why I am currently blogging. One of the pro’s to working from home is I get to sleep in. Another pro is I get to spend time with my cat, Billie Dean. Having Billie as a colleague is great for my morale.

Speaking of cats, I am going to be volunteering at PAWS Cat City today after work. I am looking forward to it especially after a tough week at work. I’m not at liberty to say due to HIPAA laws but doing a volunteer shift I typically don’t do will help with the depression and tough week. I love my volunteer job and spending time with cats that will be getting a new home.

Before I end this particular blog post, I was finally assigned a new therapist at the community mental health agency I am a client of. I met with her on Tuesday. She appears to be nice. She has some awesome tattoo’s. I hope she will be good and able to help me. I will have therapy with her every two weeks which is a good thing.

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 my end of things that you read my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Happy Friday and Peace Out World!!!