A time to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions who have struggled with suicidal thoughts & the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted.Today I am standing up and am proud to be one of the millions who have struggled with suicidal thoughts. I know that sounds backwards, but I say proud for two reasons. The first and most important … [Read more...] about September marks #SuicidePreventionMonth
anxiety
Joy Has Been Elusive for Years, But I May Have Found It Again
Photo by Tim Mossholder on UnsplashJoy is one emotion that has been missing over the past 4 or 5 years.Not days, or weeks, but years. That’s a long time. 365 days times 4 years equals 1,465 days. Five years is that plus 365. And for much of that time, I did not even know I was not experiencing joy. I was happy if I experienced any emotion.And yes, that included the emotion of … [Read more...] about Joy Has Been Elusive for Years, But I May Have Found It Again
Straight Talk About My Journey with Depression
Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on UnsplashIn case you are new to my blog, my name is Joel and I live in Charlottesville Virginia. I am a middle-class male, and I have worked since I was 10 years old. My career spans over 50 years in retail management and along with my wife, I have raised 3 remarkable children.Recently, I finally said out loud that I have lived with Major … [Read more...] about Straight Talk About My Journey with Depression
The Sneaky Ways All-or-Nothing Thinking Keeps You Stuck
Photo by Jon Butterworth on UnsplashDo you ever find yourself thinking in absolutes?Believing that you either have to be perfect or not try at all? This all-or-nothing thinking can be a slippery slope to anxiety and self-doubt. It's a vicious cycle that keeps you stuck and prevents you from reaching your full potential. In this article, we'll explore the sneaky ways in which … [Read more...] about The Sneaky Ways All-or-Nothing Thinking Keeps You Stuck
My Depression is Waiting for Me to Say, “I Give Up”
Photo by Hasnain Babar on UnsplashMy depression can only push me so far or it will lose its host.After all, if I die, then depression dies too. So it is in depression’s best interest to keep me alive and kicking. Even when it has me in the abyss, its focus is on keeping me up against that wall. If I cannot feel anything or envision any way forward, depression is happy.If … [Read more...] about My Depression is Waiting for Me to Say, “I Give Up”