The Little Things

 

This morning, I was sitting in my chair in front of my window, talking to a friend on the phone, when I saw a mother with her two toddlers stomping around in fresh rain puddles in the parking lot. Unbeknownst to me, it instantly brought a big smile to my face. Seeing them laughing and running around with each other made my heart so happy!

Then it came to me; I honestly can't remember the last time I saw kids playing in rain puddles. I should have gone out and thanked that mom. Thank you for making me smile, but more importantly, for encouraging your kids to enjoy the little things life gives us.

How I Found Hope Living with Depression

 

It has been almost two years since I contemplated dying by suicide. It was a dark time. A time that I do not want to go back to. There are days when I can't believe it ever happened. How did I become so hopeless that I thought death was the only answer?

Regardless of how I got to the dark time, I want to reflect on how far I have come today. This is not to say that life has been all rainbows and butterflies—it hasn't been. Life happens. However, when life happens, I am much better prepared for the rough road ahead than I was two years ago.

Coping with Depression

Check out my blog posts about coping with depression on healthyplace.com

Today, there is still a stigma about depression: "Why can't people just snap out of it?" If it were only that easy! Being diagnosed with a depressive disorder is more than just feeling sad sometimes. First, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a condition that causes a persistently low or depressed mood – not situational sadness or feeling low. Sometimes, it can be triggered, and sometimes, it can be out of the blue. Regardless of how it comes about, MDD affects sleep, appetite, energy, ability to focus, and interest in usually enjoyable things (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Coping with MDD is multi-faceted. There is not just one solution or magic pill that improves or cures mental health – it is a mixture of things that help people (and me) cope.

Addicted to the Jazz

When you mention 'change,' most people become anxious, break out in a cold sweat, and dread what comes next. However, there are a few of us who are...Addicted to the Jazz. 

I first heard this phrase from my counselor from eons ago, and I will never forget it.

First of all, my Sun sign is Sagittarius. If you're unfamiliar with zodiac signs, Sagittariuses are unafraid of change and actually embrace it. We also like to explore the unknown and learn all we can about new things. We're independent and don't back down to a challenge. In other words, we are always searching for the next thing; thus, I am ADDICTED to the JAZZ. But let me explain further...

Don't Spend Another Year Doing the Same Shit

As I sit here on New Year's Eve watching football, listening to people already setting off fireworks, and reflecting back on 2023, I remember seeing the quote, "Don't spend another year doing the same shit." Sadly, I forget where I saw it, but it resonated because it is so true! It reminds me of the much-used saying, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."