So True. Look After Yourselves, Everybody. Https://www.instagram.com/p/BuuMpVzhm-9IedxVCwAJSNHc4ZvECVgh-VkAqQ0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ktmfy90kvh0h

COVID can't keep a good costume down. Happy Hallowe'en everyone! 👻🎃🦇🧟🧛🧙💀 #"WhosScruffyLooking? #ihaveabadfeelingaboutthis https://www.instagram.com/p/CHAtYDuhaKCLo3Ww5l71d6gGVoU2iN82khFiDo0/?igshid=1761xfd8p02u2

How most people feel waking up everyday now, even when it actually IS Groundhog Day... #ironichumour https://www.instagram.com/p/CKzIHoOBF2RW89zm5SovtuM5uCzMkfrZ3TsRdw0/?igshid=19hq2ohh6vphy

For some of us, getting through the holiday season is kind of a nightmare, and this year in particular is tough for me. So I'm sticking with strategies that I know help. Rewatching old favourites, finding distractions, stepping back when I need to and not feeling guilty about it. One of my strategies is to binge the Doctor Who Christmas specials. So much fun (for me) to watch, and a great distraction. So, Allons-y!! What do you do to get through the holiday season? #doctorwho #christmasmovies #anxietystrategies #depressionstrategies #mentalhealthdoesnttakeaholiday #anxiety #depression https://www.instagram.com/p/CX39nDcr_iP/?utm_medium=tumblr

It's cold and winter's just starting But the view ain't bad at least. With a weekend finally here, I'd like to just stay right where I am until Monday if I could. No anxiety; just warm covers, grey skies and a hot cup of tea. https://www.instagram.com/p/CIaupcpBQAhoL7u0Ks41b1hkOsVha_Nt5YlirQ0/?igshid=esp9vvuphfml

My view last week, vs my view this morning. So, so grateful at this moment. #practicinggratitude #myfamilyisamazing (at Paia, Hawaii) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuRgTxAheg4CjeMCeK53HU1JKmL--XL2JFEGvY0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=60g4httw0tf7

Before the beginning of last year, I came across an idea about documenting positive experiences over a year by jotting down little notes of 'Good Things' that take place, so that at a future point, you can look back, maybe when you need to see the positives, or to gain perspective. I call the various things I have to deal with my "bag of hammers". (Not my idea. I stole it from Michael J. Fox.) We all carry one of these bags around with us; it's just the contents that differ between each of us. At the moment, my bag of hammers is heavier than usual, and I thought this would be a good time to review my list of 'Good Things', and begin anew. I wanted to share this in case any of you like the idea and wanted to try it out yourself. And to say out loud that it's ok to talk about the things in each of our bags of hammers, and ok for us to have to carry them. As I look through my list from last year, I am strengthened, and am able to find gratitude for all of the things, large and small that I have to be thankful for. #practicinggratitudehelps #affirmationshelp #itsoktoneedhelp https://www.instagram.com/p/BtN_menBhJBOikj480tO2ukiSYpYTl452ZpBaI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dtiwvfuh10hl

So it's the end of the year, and as everyone's feeds flood with gratitude and year end or new year resolution posts, my contribution is my 2019 Good Things Jar. I've been filling one of these jars each year for a couple of years now. I'm not as good at tracking all of the good things as I would like to be. But this post and the exercise itself isn't about beating myself up. Exactly the opposite, actually. When I think about something worth noting that happens to me, whether a once in a lifetime occasion or a moment of daily trivia that just hits me, I do my best to write it down and stuff it in the jar. Reading through these little notes is awesome for reflection for me. For helping me get some much needed perspective, when I'm writing the notes, and when I take the time to look back. So I'll keep doing these jars. I would encourage anyone who hasn't done something like this to try it out, or something else like it. It helps. We can all too easily get caught up in the things that stress us, that we consider our failures, our losses, and lose sight of the beauty, the small victories. The things that make it worth it. #perspective #practicinggratitude #jarsformentalhealth #sothatwas2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/B6w1JbbhkSN3DycwpUcxAVqYK4NlkUqtxYWxgs0/?igshid=swg0yactkzkq

One day.

You can't be happy all the time, but this sorrow you are feeling isn't all you have. The pain demands to be felt, but it also tricks you into feeling that it will never go away. But you can find release from it when you start coping with it. Instead of believing this pain is all you will ever feel, believe in yourself and that you can heal. I know you can. One day, this won't hurt as much.

#day9 #12daysofxmaspuns #12daysofxmasjokes #mentalhealthawareness #lookafteryourselfovertheholidays https://www.instagram.com/p/B6YUH16nwBlpze0E3OzZhAVMjdGO3GzmRqkUKI0/?igshid=qajuxyhr1qvh

I'm a work in progress these days. Maybe all days. And if so, I'm ok with that. Just wanted to share this pic, to let those who love and support me know that I'm trying, and to let anyone else who is struggling know that they aren't alone. #mentalhealth https://www.instagram.com/p/B3GSRVuBGp4/?igshid=19xku8pnp969b