mental illness – Groningen Rain

4 August 2021

Moving Back to the States: The Last Walk

[Dutch Lock Down Day Five Hundred Two]

This morning I woke up at 0330 because of a panic attack and also because I went to bed at 2130 and also because jet lag is a punk.

I struggled to go back to sleep but at four I gave up the ghost, pulled myself out of bed, and started the day.

And since I was awake, well, I went for my “traditional” morning walk.

It’s in quotes because it hasn’t happened in a long long time but it’s something I used to do DAILY.

I Signal’d with a friend in California [Hi, M!].

I listened to a podcast.

I watched the sunrise.

And I walked.

But first the news:

Today the movers come take our stuff.

And I’m so totally not ready.

Figuratively nor literally.

2 August 20213 August 2021

Moving Back to the States: Packing

[Dutch Lock Down Day Five Hundred]

Today is all about packing the things that are going on the actual plane with us – things we’ll need short term that we can’t go without for a few days.

This is mostly clothing and toiletries for the big people but also ipads and laptops and diapers and wipes and cat litter and a litter box and cat food and bowls for food and water and puppy pads and OMG THERE’S SO MUCH TO PACK I’M NOT PANIC’ING YOU’RE PANIC’ING.

Please hold while I go for a walk.

But first the news:

Well, that didn’t work.

7 July 2021

I Surrender To Your Will

[Dutch Lock Down Day Four Hundred Seventy Four]

When I started to do research for this one, well, I got completely distracted by ALL the movies and songs and albums and references and definitions for the word that I’ll admit that I’m overwhelmed and, well, STRESSED.

This one is a SLIGHT click bait / bait and switch thing as my life coach asked me to write about surrender ala the Serenity Prayer in light of all the stressors going on in my life right now and for those who want the reminder:

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

But first the news:

Thus, instead, I’m going to take a deep breath in.

Hold it for a count of five.

And let it out again.

5 July 2021

Don’t Panic

[Dutch Lock Down Day Four Hundred Seventy Two]

I was totally NOT going to do another music post today cause Don’t Panic can refer to the Hitchhiker’s Guide catchphrase but it can also refer to Coldplay’s song and apparently a few other things.

#mood

But then I came across Coldplay’s video for said song and started crying cause let me explain.

No, too long.

Let me sum up.

But first the news:

And we live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world

3 July 2021

Put On Your Own Mask First

[Dutch Lock Down Day Four Hundred Seventy]

Photo by ismail mohamed – SoviLe on Unsplash

As told at Short Stack Conference this morning!

Trigger Warning: This talk contains information about sexual assault and violence which may be triggering to survivors.

I’d like to pretend that you’ll never need to know how to help a friend because we all live in a world without war, violence or abuse. Without trauma. But. Just in case my pretend world doesn’t exist and you find yourself needing to help someone.

Or to help yourself.

Listen up.

Recovering from trauma feels like a roller coaster with rumination, flashbacks, depression, anxiety, and hypervigilance.

I’d like to invite you to get off of the roller coaster and board Leander Air where we’ll learn how to help our friends who have experienced trauma.

Hello and thank you for flying with Leander Air. A few announcements as we begin our talk. There is no safety card in the seat in front of you, unless you’re watching this from a flight in which case, where are you headed today?