Thoughts I’m having right now The hardest thing about being the most (emotionally) resilient person you know is that you don’t feel like you can genuinely be vulnerable in front of anyone. You’re too focused on everyone else, and you don’t trust they can handle the full weight of your pain.
Mental Health
#MakeChesterProud
Trigger Warning: I talk about depression and suicide in this post. (Photo is from wikimedia commons) If you need support,
Blog Challenge: Liebster Award
A fellow blogger, Kim who writes I tripped over a Stone, shared that she was nominated to do this blog challenge, and nominated anyone who wanted to join in. I’ve been staring at spreadsheets and creating newsletters for long enough that my brain needs a break. I even took a nap today, but still tired. Blah! How it works: Thank the blogger who nominated you. Share eleven facts about yourself. Answer the eleven questions the blogger gave you. Nominate eleven bloggers who deserve the award. Create eleven original questions for the nominees to answer. Let them know they have been nominated. Eleven facts about me: I wear the mantle of Crazy Cat Lady with pride, and like most cat people, there are more photos of my furbabies on my phone than anything else. I’m the human to 5 cats. I am a huge geek/nerd. My house is full of collectibles! Mainly comic books, sci-fi, and fantasy. There is a Millenium Flacon
Doing Too Much
I apologize for the lack of posts. I’ve been dealing with these bouts of extreme exhaustion (with other symptoms) for
Feelings on Florida
In regards to this latest act of domestic terrorism: Yes, I’m going to call it terrorism, the point was to terrify the victims and to then destroy them. To become infamous. The shooter wanted attention, he was angry, he’s a product of a toxic culture both close to him, and in our society. We need to address this as a society. It seems like a lot of these domestic terrorists lack the emotional tools necessary to handle stress, disappointment, toxicity around them, and even fundamental social interactions (i.e., Being rejected as a love interest/sexual partner). We need to make sure that people are equipped emotionally and educationally as they grow up. Find healthy ways to channel their anger and aggression. And end the stigma and scapegoating of those with mental health issues (like depression and anxiety, or autism, etc.), who are more likely to be victims than aggressors. Tossing people in prision*after* they commit the crime is only reactionary, we
30 Things, Distractions
I had to think about this a bit and came up with this list. My cats Anytime I feel cruddy I go to my cats. Petting and snuggling with them helps me focus on something positive and comforting Video games Video games keep me distracted and entertained My go to movies Alien, Aliens, Pacific Rim, LoTR, and a few others help me be distracted Music Genre depends on my mood, I like metal, some pop, trance/house/etc., classical or soundtracks Audiobooks If I am unable to focus, I will go for audiobooks while I’m laying down and resting
The F Off Fund
A friend of mine shared an article on social media titled “A Story of a Fuck Off Fund” where the author talks about how our financial limitations can lead us to feel trapped. Trapped in a toxic work environment, an abusive relationship, putting up with harassment because you “…need this job, there are bills to pay.” I stayed in an abusive marriage for far too long because I didn’t have financial options and my ex exploited my anxiety and depression, and then later my health problems, to keep me under his control. Granted this is even harder to do when a person doesn’t make enough to really have a bug out fund to protect themselves from these kinds of situations, which I find to be a travesty and why so many underprivileged folks end up in abusive and toxic conditions. Put up with harassment at work and have a roof and food over their head? Or quit and live out
30 Things, Hobbies
Hobbies! (I had a little time to squeeze this in) I have a lot of hobbies. I love to make/create things, it’s improved my mood, and I feel like I accomplished something when I finish a project. Knitting I’m going to learn to crochet this year. Yay YouTube! It’s a fun activity to do while watching TV/Movies. Sewing I like to make my own clothing and costumes from time-to-time. I also enjoy silk embroidery. Painting and drawing On pretty much anything. I find it relaxing. Photography I have a quality DSLR, and I love taking photos outside when I’m feeling up to it. Camping I feel the most relaxed and happy when I am able to disconnect and enjoy nature. Also, gives me lots to photograph. Reading/audiobooks Stories are essential, reading can improve empathy. The Scientific American and The Washington Post wrote articles about the subject. Fantasy, Sci-fi, horror, and graphic novels/comics. Learning new skills Games Board games, table-top, card,
The Unhealthy Consumer: When is it Enough? From MakeItUltra.
It’s a temporary fix to fill our lives with stuff to make ourselves feel better, and it comes with a monetary and mental cost. Check out this post by Dr. Perry on MakeItUltra.
Narcissism in Parents
A delightful person found my blog today! Dr. Perry, Ph.D. from MakeITUltra liked some of my 30 Day Challenge posts (I know, I’m behind. Fatigue and pain have been kicking my butt). I wanted to share one of his blog posts on narcissism (the personality disorder) and how that presents its self in the dynamic between parent and child. It’s worth the read and explains things in a simple to understand and relate to language. You can find his post here. I’m not a professional in the mental health field, though I wish I had the money become a Ph.D. in Psychology. I speak as a child who grew up with (what I suspect) are mildly narcissistic parents. My mom was raised by a mother who would have likely been deemed a very narcissistic person. My grandmother did not do well with empathy and love, she was unpredictable, and did not love my mother. She had children because it was
Incurable Jynx 