I wish I could say yes to joy, to being happier. There are many emotions I am familiar with, but joy and happiness are rarely one of them. OK is the operative word. If someone asks how I am doing, I stretch the truth and say that I am “darn glad to be here.” Now while that isn’t a lie, it is often far from my real expectations. I am familiar with the change triangle and … [Read more...] about Am I Able to Be Happier, to Feel Joy?
Stress and Anxiety
Why Can’t I Get Joy into My Head?
It’s seems such an easy thing, for everyone has an idea of what their own joy looks like. So why is it I cannot feel the emotion? Instead, I play defense and do anything I can to avoid joy. Joy is a risk. And suddenly I cannot figure out a way to take a risk. I’ve got depression on the run, or at least sitting in the back row. Why chance depression’s return by taking a … [Read more...] about Why Can’t I Get Joy into My Head?
What Makes Self-Care Keep Evolving?
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash It still amazes me that I am allowed to take care of myself. The whole idea of putting on one’s own oxygen mask before helping others has been foreign to me. Or should I say that in the past it has been foreign. Recently, I have made a concerted effort to include my own needs in my plans. This can be seen in my attitude towards things I … [Read more...] about What Makes Self-Care Keep Evolving?
Is Anxiety the Reason I Can’t Let This Go?
It’s that gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. The feeling that should stop when the event is over. But mine hasn’t gotten the message. A trigger comes and goes. I know I should feel anxious when the event is taking place. But after it, I should be able to relax. And that is just not happening. This morning, we returned the rental car. Because we arrived right at … [Read more...] about Is Anxiety the Reason I Can’t Let This Go?
Even Without my Depression, Is the World Going to Heck?
Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash Covid-19, recession, armed conflict, severe weather events, and rising food and gas prices. All of this seems overwhelming. Each day is a new list of things we need to worry about. And I do not even watch the news. But how can I miss the events of the world that seem to inhabit every opening on my phone? All news outlets are competing … [Read more...] about Even Without my Depression, Is the World Going to Heck?
