Vivi's New Directions

 


I have to admit, this topic has surprised me. I didn't think it would be so hard to keep the blog posts short and sweet, but I also don't regret the length they've been. Mental Health is an extremely important, extremely under-talked-about topic. To that end, it feels like this is something I need to continue talking about. Not just my own experience, but sharing the experiences of others.

I don't just want to talk about the problems with depression and anxiety. (Again, focusing on those two for now because those are the illnesses I deal with.) I also want to talk about some things that help. Personally, I have been seeing a therapist for a few years now, and it's been really helpful to have an objective viewpoint who helps you see what experiences have been really harmful, someone to Listen and take you seriously, someone who gives you options and coping mechanisms. It might take you some time, trial and error to find someone who's a good fit for you, and maybe therapy isn't the thing for you. Each person is unique and has a different life full of experiences and there isn't a one-size-fits-all fix.

Sometimes meds are an option, as well. When I started therapy, I didn't want any meds. I hate taking pills, and would rather suffer a headache than take a pain pill. But then the pandemic hit, and my mental health Tanked. I couldn't see my friends in person, I couldn't go to my happy places (the library and my favorite coffee shop), and I kept getting pressure to "find a real job again." It really sucked. It still does, in some respects, though things are slowly getting better. I felt so stuck, though, that I decided to talk to a doctor and get officially diagnosed. 

I have been taking a light anti-depressant since early this calendar year, and it has been helping. It takes more to overwhelm me, I feel more mentally stable, and the grey clouds constantly hanging over my head and pouring rain have lightened considerably. 

This is Helping, but it may not ever Fix it. I may live with depression the rest of my life, but that's ok. I'm working on finding the best way to live with it, and how to not drown. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Sure, exercise is great and keeps you able to do things, but if you dont have the motivation to keep running, to keep living, you might get stuck and stop. Which is why it's so important to talk about.

I'll continue this topic tomorrow, and talk a bit more about how to cope and some of the things that have helped me. Until then! Don't forget to enter my giveaway with Joanna from Lilla Rose! Details and links below. 

💜💜💜

I'm partnering with Joanna from Lilla Rose (link at the bottom) to give away a Mental Health Awareness flexi (really cute hairclip that you can add a charm to) and 17 Lilla Bucks ($17) to get another flexi of your choice! 

Giveaway ends May 29th at midnight. Winner will be chosen May 30th, and there are three ways to enter. 
First, you'll get 1 entry if you Like Joanna's Facebook page, and 1 if you like my Facebook page. Also, 1 entry for each Share and Comment on social media posts about the giveaway.
Second, you can get 5 entries if you buy a mental health Flexi from her website.
Third, you can get 10 entries if you donate any dollar amount to one of these charities: Mental Health America (MHA) or National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Do any of these and let us know by commenting either here on this blog or our social media posts. ^_^ (Just a heads-up, any and all donations to NAMI will be matched thru May 31st, up to $75k) 

Additionally, I'm going to challenge you lovely readers. For each purchase of a mental health flexi, I will donate $5 to my favorite charity, so let's see how much you can make me spend. :D


Joanna, Lilla Rose:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UpInHair

Contact Her Directly: https://shop.ami.co/upinhair/contact?ref=share


Vivienne's Facebook:

Vivienne Aulaire, Writer | Facebook


Charities: 

Mental Health America https://mhanational.org/

National Alliance on Mental Illness https://www.nami.org/home

Comments

  1. R GossMay 13, 2021 at 9:53 PM

    My melancholic mind finds comfort in knowing it's not alone.

    ReplyDelete
  2. R GossMay 13, 2021 at 10:29 PM

    I have no idea why this post showed up 3 times!

    ReplyDelete

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