I’ve been on this Earth for a quarter of a century, and I still have no idea how the hell anyone is able to go to bed at a consistent time every night. To put this in context, I don’t do anything consistently. I can’t keep the same schedule two days in a row for… Continue reading Circadian rhythms. Do they matter?
I can’t create if I’m thinking about creating.
I've been in therapy for 13 years, and the most potent thing I’ve learned from my doctors is the value of being aware of my own thoughts and feelings. This awareness is called mindfulness, and it’s the very meta practice of monitoring your mind's activities in order to stay grounded in reality. Your feelings are… Continue reading I can’t create if I’m thinking about creating.
Be skeptical of your gut instincts.
I think my stomach has a brain. It knew, long before I did, when the relationship wasn’t going to work. It tried to tell me as much when I had to sneak out of my partner’s bedroom night after night because I couldn’t stand his snoring or the smell of his pet rats. It knew… Continue reading Be skeptical of your gut instincts.
Love makes it easier to feel safe in the world.
When I woke up yesterday, I found I was sharing my bed with a little beetle that was crawling around just a few inches from my nose. Ordinarily, I would have immediately screamed and jumped out of bed, then run from the room. Instead, I surprised myself by examining the thing curiously for a few… Continue reading Love makes it easier to feel safe in the world.
Generalized anxiety disorder is like a phobia of everything.
I'm afraid of everything. There are many different types of phobias, and most of them are specific. Lots of people are scared of places, like small spaces or tall heights; others have a strong aversion to certain objects, like spiders or blood; and others avoid specific scenarios, like flying or being surrounded by strangers. Triggers… Continue reading Generalized anxiety disorder is like a phobia of everything.
The heart of a successful relationship is secure attachment.
My wonderful boyfriend recently recommended a book to me called Hold Me Tight. The author, Dr. Sue Johnson, is the creator of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which is a process that helps fighting couples heal their relationships. In her book, Dr. Johnson describes the outdated way in which couples therapy has worked in the past:… Continue reading The heart of a successful relationship is secure attachment.
Thoughtful Thursday: November 12, 2020
It’s Thoughtful Thursday again, which means it’s time to pull out our notebooks and journal for just a few minutes about whatever’s on our mind. Journaling is a very low-risk way to reap many health benefits, including decreased depression and anxiety and increased self-awareness. (Seriously, it’s been studied.) So, whenever you have five minutes free… Continue reading Thoughtful Thursday: November 12, 2020
Today we return to hope.
It's easier to wake up to a world that isn't trying to kill me. It's been extremely difficult to recover from my mental illness these last four years. All the progress I make inside my head is stunted severely by the knowledge that if it were up to my government - my "representatives" - I… Continue reading Today we return to hope.
My neighbor’s psychosis isn’t his fault, but it’s my problem.
I think my upstairs neighbor suffers from psychosis. It’s hard to know for sure. I’ve barely met the guy. I just know that I can hear him shouting 24/7. Mostly what he shouts is angry nonsense. It’s not constant - it pauses for a few seconds here and there, as if someone else is part… Continue reading My neighbor’s psychosis isn’t his fault, but it’s my problem.
The way you heal is up to you.
So I’m learning why mindfulness is called a practice. Last week I pitched myself the idea of sitting quietly with my anxieties for three minutes a day. By exposing myself to raw reality, I hoped to unlearn my nasty habit of pretending everything is okay despite evidence to the contrary. And while I stand by… Continue reading The way you heal is up to you.
