I feel this need, this sense of urgency to retreat inward. To go off the grid and be solo for a while. Not to post. Not to share. Not to outwardly be working on something. Not to be defined by, and have my time dictated by, grades and essays. Not to be working on the… Continue reading Retreating
Category: Mental Health
Changing the language around my anxiety
(This is a personal experiment I am trying to shift my mindset about my anxiety. I am not suggesting people with anxiety should do the same, especially if they suffer from severe anxiety or panic disorders. I have worked for over a decade with therapists, doctors, books, and my own personal experiences to get to… Continue reading Changing the language around my anxiety
Self-Censorship
I wrote a long reflection post about my time in South Africa. But I deleted it. I felt censored. I felt afraid to say the truth of my experience. I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, even though my feelings were hurt many times on and around the trip. It’s lead me to writing this… Continue reading Self-Censorship
Tired of the battle with myself (journal entry)
Why are we so hard on ourselves? As if life isn’t hard enough as it is! We cut ourselves down with a sharpened scythe, hoping to fit in with people and places that don’t value us. We try so hard, gasping and screaming and gripping with blistered fingers at the edges of what we think… Continue reading Tired of the battle with myself (journal entry)
How to relieve feelings of Seasonal Affected Disorder (Low mood due to seasonal changes)
I've suffered from SAD for a while now. It's not always bad for me, it depends, but I am hyperaware of the change in the season, weather, and the length of the days. It's darker, colder, and greyer, so it's not so surprising that it makes us feel low sometimes. If you, like me, want… Continue reading How to relieve feelings of Seasonal Affected Disorder (Low mood due to seasonal changes)
Coping Techniques: Where to put your anxiety
I was thinking today that it sounds nice to think of coping with your anxiety as "putting it somewhere". Not getting rid of it, because anyone who suffers from anxiety knows that's not always possible, but putting it into something. Putting it down. Putting it behind a curtain for a while. Just kindly leading it… Continue reading Coping Techniques: Where to put your anxiety
My toxic best friend (rumination)
Oh anxiety, the toxic friend who doesn’t understand that you don’t want to hang out with her anymore. She cares about you. Wants the best for you. But she doesn’t realise that all the screaming about the coming of wolves and eagles, is bringing the wolves and eagles to us. I tell her to shut… Continue reading My toxic best friend (rumination)
Self Care September Ideas
I am trying to get ahead of the summer's end blues and Seasonal Affected Disorder that I sometimes wrestle with come Autumn/Winter time. Therefore, I'm having a "Self-Care September". This will help to refill my cup ready for October when my final year of university begins, as well as be gentle with myself while I'm… Continue reading Self Care September Ideas
Anxiety update
I thought I’d feel different. I said to my sister not long before my wedding day that I felt like once the wedding was done, I’d feel euphoric. All anxiety would slip away. That I’d have done the “hardest thing I’ve ever had to do” and so I’d feel invincible. Makes some sense, right? Overcome… Continue reading Anxiety update
You’re not unhappy, you’re tired
I’ve woke up each morning feeling increasingly tired. But instead of thinking “I’m tired”, I’ve felt unhappy. This is burnout. This is exhaustion. You can sleep each night and still feel tired. When you’re mentally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually drained, it takes more than just one or two good nights' sleep to fix it. You… Continue reading You’re not unhappy, you’re tired
S. R. Crawford 