#MentalHealthMonday – A New Blog Series (And Life Update)

Happy Monday!

It has been forever and a day since my last post but it feels so good to be blogging again.  This post in particular has been in living my head for the last few weeks.  But after much overthinking and over analyzing, I’m ripping off the band-aid.  Here’s what’s been going on in the last month.

A Little History

I’m no stranger to mental health struggles.  Over the course of the last fifteen years, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety.  While I thought I had a handle on things, I’m learning that this is a very sneaky illness.  I was feeling pretty low and found myself in a dark place.  I didn’t know how to “snap out of it”.  The guilt and shame of crumbling so easily became overwhelming.  I couldn’t hold a job.  Relationships with people I loved were starting to become strained.  My physical health was taking a toll.  I had to get help.

Why I’m Sharing

On the evening of July 3^rd 2018, I was admitted to a hospital and for the next two and a half weeks, I participated in daily groups, one-on-one therapy, and started to build my wellness plan.  In addition to medication and outpatient therapy, it was decided that a crucial piece to my wellness plan would be to use this blog to openly document my recovery.  I guess you could say it was doctor’s orders but it only seemed like the natural choice.  You see, I’ve always been taught to keep this part of me hidden.   There is no denying the amount of stigma that surrounds mental illness and this past year, I’ve had my fair share.  But the fact remains:  being silent about my struggles has only perpetuated the cycle of guilt and shame.  In order for me to move forward with my life, I need to break the cycle.

Over the course of the last few weeks, I’ve learned just how much care and maintenance is required when living with mental illness.  Practicing self-care can be very challenging but the reality is, self-care is a crucial piece to managing your mental health and overall wellness.

A New Blog Series

So there you have it.  As a result of everything that has happened, I’ve started this #MentalHealthMonday blog series, to build awareness, understanding and healing.  Every Monday, I plan on sharing personal stories, resources and things I’m doing to manage my mental health and engage in self-care.  At the end of the day, it’s a way to keep myself accountable but if it can help you too, that’s a bonus, right? I welcome you to this next chapter and if you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know in the comments below..

So, I hope you have a great week and take some time to do something for yourself today.  I look forward to hearing from you.

xo

Jen