Mental Health Blog Day #mhblogday

 

It's Mental Health Blog Day today. I only found out a few minutes ago via Twitter. But I had to participate. I have to. Mental health matters. It matters to me. It should matter to you.

It's so easy to use words like nuts, crazy, whacko, insane. I use them. I shouldn't - but I do. Usually about myself, so then it seems like it becomes okay. We can say what we want about ourselves, right? It's like I can battle my little brother to the end but someone comes near him and that's IT. I'm up in their face in a heartbeat. (We're grown-ups now, we don't battle anymore, I'm just sayin'.)

Mental health is kind of like that. I can talk about my own, and it took me some time to do so, but you try to not address that of others, lest you be looked at in a certain way.

And this time? Today? It's different.

I'm going to ask you to LOOK at your friends and loved ones. Take a good look.

For they might be struggling, too.

There are so many hidden aspects of mental health issues, so many things we don't recognize, we don't always know that a friend who cancels dinner plans 3-4 times in a row might be facing crippling anxiety. The mom who never wants to bring her kids to your house to play? Too depressed. She doesn't WANT to use the television as a babysitter. She just has to. She literally CAN'T bring herself to leave the house.

Your friend with the clutter? There might be some OCD tendencies there. They can't throw ANYthing away. (I know - I'm self-defined as a hoarder lite. I swear there's some OCD going on. I can laugh at it. But it's there.)

The new mom who isn't sure what's wrong with her? The one who is afraid to tell anyone but you just sense that something is off. Because you've been there. You know. You just know.

The momma-to-be who is afraid to leave the house. Imagining the worst? She needs you, too.

Can you reach out? Can you ask these people if they're okay? Can you remind them that they're not alone? All it takes is a question. An ear. A shoulder. A hug.

Look at these words.

source

Look at them. 

How many of them impact YOU? Someone you love? 

If you're looking at the big ones and saying, nah. I don't know anyone experiencing these things. I don't know anyone on meds to manage anything like that. Think again. If you think that these things don't matter - let me enlighten you - you're wrong. 

SO many people out there are experiencing mental health related issues, and they're terrified to say so. The stigma that they see? Those words? "She's nuts. Crazy." "What is WRONG with him?" "What's his problem?" "I'm tired of her canceling plans. I'm done. Let her find some new friends to cancel on."

It makes so much sense to you to react this way. I'm not mad at you for doing so. I just want you to understand. Recognize there can be so much more than the eye can see. Use your gut. Sense it. Maybe offer to watch the kids while she takes a shower. Heck, a bath, even! Offer to come over to her house for the playdate. Pick her up if she's afraid to drive. Talk to him about YOUR therapist. Or your mom's. Whatever. Make it real. Make it normal. Make it okay. 

Because it is. It's okay. Really. 

And if it doesn't feel like it is, it WILL BE. I promise. 

Because they aren't alone. They have YOU. And you know now. You know you can help. 

And they hopefully know it, too. 

If you'd like to link up with Mental Health Blog Day, head on over to Your Mind Your Body and do so, or just head over to check out the amazing posts written in recognition of this important day (in years past, this year's compilation is not live at this time).

Just do it.

Your friends need you. And I'm willing to bet that you need them, too.

Writer's block and hushpuppies

I keep starting a new post and leaving it blank.

I'm lacking things to say and I don't quite know why, exactly.

What's happening with you?

Quiet here, for the most part.

We had a beautiful weekend. Seriously.

Weird word to use? Maybe. Just how it was.

We took the boat out on Saturday and it was a pretty day. It stormed on us for a minute or two, which wasn't as awful as it sounds. It was actually kind of fun to get slightly soaked. Then we headed to the dock, it cleared up and we went back out for another spin.

On Mother's Day we left the house for a late-ish breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts - place of my choosing - and enjoyed a non-stressful meal. Took a ride after that to the mall, quick stop to pick up something the child dropped at Build-A-Bear after her girl scout outing there and I made a pit-stop at LUSH. Ah, have you ever been to LUSH? Pure heavenly products. Bought myself a small Mother's Day gift of a hair treatment and got some free samples. Went to Old Navy because I thought that they were starting to carry plus-sized clothing IN the store (how much would that ROCK!?!) but no dice. So I bought a new pair of sunglasses instead.

And a jump rope.

For the child.

Who is now completely and utterly addicted to jumping rope.

Which, I must add, she actually does quite well.

The things you learn in Kindergarten, I suppose!

After that we went to the Food Truck Rodeo - which is exactly what you think except nobody ropes up any food trucks or nothin'. It's just kind of like a NYC street fair but loads of trucks that sell pretty amazing foods. Yum.

I also ate the best hushpuppies I've ever tried in my life. Or my seven or so years down south. Come to think of it - about seven to be exact in that I moved down here in May of 2006. Wow.

Back to the hushpuppies. Take a look. You'll be drooling. I promise.

I just went to look for a "description of hushpuppies" and found this: hushpuppies are finger-shaped dumplings of cornmeal that are deep-fried - yum.

oh my YUM. I kind of would like some now. For my breakfast. It's a food truck delicacy, so I wonder if they deliver? Probably not.

You know what I can't stand? When people write prolly. Prolly. It grates at me. Horribly.

I took the dogs for a walk yesterday. Both of them. TOGETHER.

.8 miles. So not quite a mile, but yeah. It was good. And then I walked solo for over a mile with a little bit of jogging, as well. And this morning after I left the kiddo at the bus stop I almost started my work out but realized I had my non-athletic sneakers on. And my glasses. I just can't work out with my glasses on.

So instead I've been sitting here reading and trying to write and meh. I don't have anything exciting to talk about - everything is mostly status quo - which is good, right?

And now I'm catching up on General Hospital. Because I'm addicted. Like I have been my entire life kind of addicted. Also? The NCIS finale is this week and omg. I'm dying. It's so freakin' good. I don't know what I'm going to do without the show during the summer. That and New Girl. Have you watched New Girl? If you haven't - you should. Seriously. I wonder if they need a New Girl blogger? I could start a forum or something. New Girl fans non-anonymous. Not like Candy Crush. That's a whole other addiction.

So, fill me in on what's news with you. What are your latest addictions?

Also? I'm still trying to find the perfect orange bag. Any leads?

Talk later!

Have you heard about Time? ~ #spon #review

* I received a free copy of Rod Stewart's new CD Time by participating in this campaign via the One2One Network. I have not been compensated for this post, but did receive the CD for free. Upon completion of this post I am entered into a giveaway, but there is no guarantee I will win. At all. But it'd be kind of cool if I did! *

Time is the name of Rod Stewart's new album.

Album. Does anyone use that word anymore?

They use lingo (hee!) like, dropped. When is your new record dropping?

Record!?! Kids today don't even know what a record IS.

But Rod Stewart does.

He's been around in the music industry for four decades. FOUR DECADES. That's as long as I've been alive!!!

He hasn't released new music in twenty years. And here he is. Back with a vengeance. Okay, maybe a little bit softer than a vengeance. But he's back!

When I started to listen in, I heard the pure yet raspy tones of his voice. He sounds (and looks!) exactly the same. He really does.

She Makes Me Happy is such an upbeat song. And I like it a lot. It's catchy, and I promise I'm not just saying that because it's the first song on the album. Promise.

 *Oh, wait! I just realized that I have the video link! Here, watch!*



Now because the first song does have such a good feel to it, you expect that from the rest. And I believe you get it. There are the ballads interspersed throughout, but the power of his voice and the feelings he stirs up are constant and strong. Take It's Over, for example. Whew. I haven't even had the experience he is singing about and it's strong enough to impact me. Some of the ballads might feel a little droopy, or they did for me, but the songs that are good? They more than make up for it.

I have to admit that I have a ton of Rod Stewart related memories. I've danced around my parents' living room to his music with my aunt and cousins. And because of that, when I saw the opportunity to listen to his new stuff and talk about it with my readers I figured why not?

So, if Rod Stewart brings up some fun memories for you, consider picking up a copy of Time. It might be your kind of music, it might not, but test it out online if you want. Listen to a few clips and see if you're interested. Worth a shot, right? Someone like Rod who has been around for forty years has to have SOME kind of talent, right?

 I mean, how much TSwizzle and that Bieber kid can you listen to? Amiright? /guilty as charged/

I'm linking you up (non-affiliate) with Amazon's MP3 version of the Time, by Rod Stewart because I know that y'all don't buy CDs anymore. It's all about digital media these days, isn't it?

And if you decide to give it a try - let me know what you think. I'm curious to see if he meets your expectations or standards.

Disclaimer reminder: * I received a free copy of Rod Stewart's new CD Time by participating in this campaign via the One2One Network. I have not been compensated for this post, but did receive the CD for free. Upon completion of this post I am entered into a giveaway, but there is no guarantee I will win. At all. But it'd be kind of cool if I did! *

The best things in life are ...

I've decided to hang out with Stasha today for Monday Listicles.

I've been slack in posting the last few days or so - or more. I had a lot of post ideas and just didn't have the motivation to sit my arse down and write.

So today, seeing this prompt? Perfect.

Ten things in your life that you love that are free. Hmmn. Sounds sketchy, right? Nothing's for nothing in this world. Or so it seems. But I take this as a challenge! I have to find something ... or ten things!


* VOLUNTEERING
Giving of yourself to help others can be completely free. You don't have to donate money. Or items. You can donate time and find that it is one of the best experiences of giving you'll ever have in your life.

* FRIENDSHIPS
Friendships get harder when you get older. But they don't have to cost you a penny. You can take a walk together. Talk on the phone. Write letters. Emails. Text messages. Connect somehow. However you need to. Friends will be there for you. Without any money changing hands. Old friends. New friends. It's the ship that never sails.

* BLOGGING
Sure, many of us pay for our domain. We spend money on much-needed blog conferences. We go back again and again. We have to, how else will we meet some of our amazing bloggy friends in real life? Face-to-face connections! They completely rock and we don't care about the money so much when we're there. Although we'd like to save some money before we go ... but I tangented big time there.

Blogging, totally free. Sure, you need a laptop or computer of some sort. But you can pop onto Blogger or Wordpress and set yourself up and just start writing.

Just wait and see the world that opens up for you then. Incredible. Amazing. Powerful. Blogging. Just do it.

* EMOTIONS
Sure sometimes being weighed down by your emotions seems to suck the life right outta you. You feel like THAT girl, and it sucks. But it's okay. Emotions make us who we are. A good cry? Cathartic. A pee-your-pants kind of laugh? Required more often than we get to experience them, I'm sure. For sure I could live without some of the anxiety I experience. Anxiety is a bitch, after all. But check it ... I write about my emotions a lot. I share them, share me - my raw emotional self -  with you all. Y'all. hee hee. And it's okay. I know it's who I am, and I feel it makes me more human to share them, and to FEEL them. So just do.

* LOVE
Sure. Love is an emotion. I guess. Kinda'. Sorta. But it's free. All that talk about money can't buy you love? It's true. I promise. I hope you find it and feel it if you haven't yet. But before you say you haven't, look towards your family and friends. And remember you have. Love. It's the real deal.

* SUPPORT
Whether I need it or know someone who does. Offering a few words of kindness, love and support? Can make or break someone's day. JUST DO IT. *Why is that my theme today? Hmmn. I might have to change the title of this post! Thanks, Nike, don't be mad at me, okay?*

* EXERCISE
Uhoh. Just do it? Again.

Oops.

Seriously. I've felt SO crappy the last few days. And so this AM I realized why. I haven't been out there moving. MOVING. You don't need a fancy gym membership or fancy work out clothes. Just get out there, lace up your kicks and walk. Run. Do whatever you have to to get yourself moving. It's totally FREE. And good for you. Better than good. Get on out there, girlfriend. Or boyfriend. No boys comment in my 'hood, though. Am I too girly? Real men should be comfortable with my pink background, right? There I go again. Chatting away about whatever!

MOVE IT! MOVE IT! Find the colorful moments in your world and take them on whole-heartedly!

Sigh. I'm kind of stuck at seven.

Oh, wait!

* DREAMS
Don't ever stop at where you are. Keep on dreaming. You can always find something else to do. Something to make you happy. Even if you ARE happy now - keep dreaming. Make a life list. A bucket list. Whatever you want to call it. And then get out there. Start checking things off!

* MEMORIES
Those life list moments? Remember them. Always. Where you've been. What you've done. If you're like me you have loads and loads of pictures. Remember when we used to actually print out pictures? Yeah - those! Do you have 900 photo albums tucked into the corner of your guest bedroom? I do. Yep. For sure. Your memories are your own, and they will remind you of what you can do moving forward. Hold onto them and pull them out now and then. The pictures are wonderful, but your mind is like a diary, blog, photo album, journal, etc. all rolled into one!

Okay, I've got ten.

* NATURE
It's freaking beautiful, people. I mean, look ...

And there you have it.

The best things in life really ARE free.

The one where I can't stop talking ... #vlog

When it comes to entertainment you have to know by now how addicted I am to my shows. Whether it's General Hospital every.single.day (on DVR, so I absolutely need to catch up!) or NCIS every week, when I'm a fan I stick with a show as long as possible.

I've honestly watched GH since I was a kid. Seriously. A kid! I'd head home after school and watch with my mom or my childhood best friends. Sounds crazy, right? But I plan on getting my own child addicted, too. She's already there. She heard that theme song enough times in utero that she knew it by heart when she joined the world outside of my belly!

Anyway, I haven't vlogged in a while so I figured I'd give you a taste of what I'm watching now. So, here's my latest vlog chatter. I hope you'll stick around and watch the entire almost six minutes of it. Is that too long? Tell me the truth, I can take it. I might not change my vlogging style or lose my need or tendency to ramble, but at least I'll know - right? Enjoy!