Category: Fears

I’m My Own Worst Enemy; Life As A Self-Saboteur

I’ve being trying really hard to be strong lately while hiding behind my mask, even looking at the glass half full instead of completely empty but then in the blink of an eye it all came to a crashing halt. My emotions are running very deep right now and I feel like trying to hide behind my mask has just made things worse for me. I am feeling completely powerless over everything in my life today and it’s been a real reality check per say.

By trying to put on an act lately I figured others would be more willing to accept me without judgment but in reality hiding behind my mask has just overwhelmed me more than ever. As many of you know I moved recently (see blog: Moving Sucks; July 2, 2019) and the move itself has been a positive one as the energy around us is a gazillion times better than in our previous home (that’s a whole other story for another time) but now I am left feeling that my change of address should have been a cure for my anxiety and depression.

I truly wish that it was that simple, that somehow a fresh coat of paint on a wall or moving in general would signify that I could leave my illness behind and the pressure I’m experiencing from it has caused me to feel even less than okay. We all face pressure and live with a certain degree of stress in our daily life but when you add depression and anxiety into the mix we tend to add a lot of unnecessary pressure and stress on ourselves much of the time, most of which we do without even realizing we are doing it.

I have become my own worst enemy and self-sabotaging is something I excel at. The most dangerous part about self-sabotaging behaviour is that as I just mentioned above, we often do it in our subconscious. Subconsciously you feel like you are never good enough or that you don’t deserve happiness or that you are unworthy of success. And the best way to feed into these emotions is by continuing to wear that mask in order so that no one else will figure out that maybe it’s true, maybe you aren’t good enough, maybe you don’t deserve happiness and maybe you are unworthy of success.

I don’t want to wear my mask because I know that somewhere deep down inside I have come too far in my mission to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness and I have also helped many others take off their masks as well. But sometimes it just feels like a necessity to wear my mask in order to protect myself from my own worst enemy, which of course is ME and when I’m faced with these situations I need to somehow learn to kill my self-sabotaging ways with kindness in order to become my own best friend instead.

Moving Sucks

It’s been well over a week since I have done any writing. I sometimes find that I put a lot of pressure on myself when I feel I should be writing which of course only leads to so many other dysfunctional impairments in my mind. But I have a good excuse this time even if my mind is more wrapped up in guilt as usual. You see, we moved last week and as many of you know from your own personal experiences, moving can be very stressful. In fact moving is actually listed as one of the top stressors someone will experience in their lifetime. It’s right up there next to divorce, the loss of your job and the loss of a loved one.

So I’m pretty sure that you can only imagine how it affected me. You all know that I suffer with a major depressive disorder and severe anxiety but what many of you may not realize is that the concoction of both these diagnoses combined has also led to a distressing OCD disorder over the last several years and the stress leading up to our move and the days that followed only highlighted it more.

OCD for those of you who may not know stands for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and most often includes obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours which can become so consuming that they severely affect your daily life. OCD is actually an anxiety disorder “characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and ritualized, repetitive behaviours you feel compelled to perform.” And like any other anxiety disorder, you probably have a clear understanding that your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours are not rational yet you are still unable to resist them.

Moving to a new home comes with several psychological and emotional stresses. It can symbolize new beginnings to many which of course would be my number one wish but for me instead it comes with fear, worry, doubt and anxiety first. My obsessive thoughts and impulses take up a great deal of my time and energy and my mind is constantly cluttered by my compulsions leading much of the time to panic and anger.

There was however an upside to our move and although it may feed right into my OCD, it also helps to release some anxiety at the same time. It may also produce a lot of chaos around me as well but at the same time it can help to release some anxiety too by having the ability to declutter and rid myself of all the toxicity from my previous residence (and there was plenty). I am also so grateful to have so many special people in my life who helped lessen some of the clutter and chaos in my mind this past week with every genuine jester and act of kindness both physically and emotionally 🙂

Let’s All Show Our Pride

The month of June is better known as “Pride Month” which celebrates the LGBTQ community by raising awareness of sexual diversity and gender variance. Pride month also helps increase self-affirmation, inclusivity, dignity and equal rights in the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender communities. And although we may have come a long way since its inception, the LGBTQ community still lives in very frightening times and many are too afraid to be who they want to be for fear of rejection, judgment, ridicule, violence, prejudices or discrimination.

Due to many of the challenges that the LGBTQ community face it is of little to no surprise that they are among the highest rate of any one community to suffer with Mental Health challenges, more so than the general population. Just imagine yourself as a young child, frightened because you feel “different” from the rest of your peer group or imagine you try to hide your “differences” for fear that you may be rejected, judged, or ridiculed by your peers and family, or imagine longing to be able to connect with other peers who are also “different” but you don’t know how to, or imagine still that those “differences” you have been trying to bury for so long become known within your peer group and suddenly you find yourself the victim of discrimination, prejudices or worse, violence.

These are just some examples of what individuals in the LGBTQ community may struggle with for part or all of their lives which can easily escalate into Depression, Anxiety and Trauma when they begin to lack self-worth and self-acceptance or begin feeling hopeless and alone. The long term effects of internalizing their negative self-talk can also create many additional struggles of both shame and guilt. They may feel shame and guilt for being “different” or for feeling the way they do, or for doing what they do, all of which can lead to further emotional and physical scars.

Many of you reading this right now may have once been that frightened young child, or maybe you are still struggling with the pain and anguish of being “different” in your adult years or maybe you were one of the lucky ones who found support from your friends, family and community right away. Either way it is especially important to recognize and celebrate the “Pride” movement and everything and everyone it stands up for as they take the mental health of their communities very seriously and bring people together in such a meaningful way.

Celebrating Pride month helps us imagine a world where being “different” is okay, where being “different” is acceptable and that we should all embrace our differences in one another because isn’t that what makes the world a much brighter and more colourful place to live just like the Pride flag so boldly represents.

The Call To Courage (Brene Brown)

I recently watched the Brene Brown special on Netflix called “The Call To Courage”. If you are unfamiliar with her work let me assure you that she is worth knowing. Brene has a PHD, an MSW and is a Research Professor at the University of Houston. She is also the author of MANY #1 New York Times bestselling books (many of which I have read) and has spent most of her career researching and studying Courage, Vulnerability, Shame and Empathy and she is now the first person to have a filmed talk available on Netflix.

“The Call To Courage” was both witty and exceptional and also proved from start to finish how important and necessary it is for us to choose “courage over comfort” by allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. As I sat there listening to her speak I found myself captivated by her truth and honesty and began to see the parallels between what she was saying and my own life because I realized that I have been choosing “courage over comfort” by sharing my story with you.

I’ve been choosing to have conversations about the “uncomfortable” things; I’ve been choosing to communicate about my shame; I’ve been choosing to express my fears and I’ve been choosing to “show up to the arena” which according to Brene is the bravest thing any of us can do. Theodore Roosevelt first coined the phrase “showing up to the arena” during a speech he gave way back in 1910 but Brene has taken it to a whole new level and through to a whole new century by showing her audience how truly important it is to be vulnerable.

I just wanted to share with you a small snippet of his speech. In it he states; “It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.”

I’ve also been choosing to share my story by owning my truth, by trying not to betray myself for worry that I will be judged or ridiculed by other people and by “having the courage to show up knowing that you can’t control the outcome” but at the same time also understanding that the only true pathway to getting there is by being marred by the dust, sweat and blood while exhibiting your vulnerability.

Just thinking about choosing to show up to the arena is petrifying and filled with so much uncertainty and risk. What if we fail? Or then again, what if we succeed? But as Brene points out, winning the race may not be about coming in first after all but instead it’s more about being brave enough to “just come off the block and get wet”. Something I need to try and do every day by continuing to choose “courage over comfort”.

Am I “Enough”?

The word “Enough” can be used to express just about anything but since suffering with Depression and Anxiety it seems to be one of the most overused words in my daily negative self-talk. Everyday my inner critic tells me stories and of course my most favorite one of all is when it tells me that “I’m not good enough”. It also loves to remind me that “I’m not worthy enough”, “smart enough”, “capable enough”, “attractive enough” or even “skinny enough”.

Life has been testing me a lot lately, like way more than ever before and it’s really hard to remember when the last time was that I actually felt like I was “good enough”, “worthy enough”, “smart enough”, “capable enough”, “attractive enough” or even “skinny enough” and I have to tell ya, it’s beyond exhausting and overwhelming.

A couple of years ago I designed a logo (see picture) with the help of my husband’s friend which conveys a simple yet powerful message to each and every person suffering with a mental illness which reads; “YOU ARE ENOUGH”. I have since adopted this logo to several other aspects of my life including the name of my blog.

This is not a new phrase by any means but one that means a lot to me, a message that needs repeating each and every day. “You Are Enough” does not mean that you are without flaws, it does not mean that you are all done evolving, it does not mean that you are perfect, it does not mean that you have everything you want, it does not mean that you don’t have any weaknesses and it does not mean that you can’t still make plenty of mistakes.

What “You Are Enough” does mean however is that you are “good enough”, “worthy enough”, “smart enough”, “capable enough”, “attractive enough” or even “skinny enough” no matter what your struggles or imperfections may be. It means that no matter what you may be thinking or feeling, you have nothing to prove to the world because you are who you are and that is more than “good enough”. It also means that no matter what, you have a purpose and that being you is the best damn person you can be, not to mention, the bravest one too.

I am continually being told that “I Am Enough” just the way I am and even though I may not be able to see it or think it or feel it I certainly hear it. Hearing the words “You Are Enough” reminds us that whatever you did today, whatever you felt today or whatever you thought today was okay, maybe it was even more than okay, maybe it was f@*king awesome because that means that being you, whoever you are; “You Are Enough”.

What does being “Enough” mean to you?

THE BIG BANG THEORY” DEFINES FAMILY

I had a good cry last night, it wasn’t just any cry, it was one of those really ugly cries. It was the kind of cry you have when you feel like you’ve just lost your best friend, which is kinda how I felt.

Last night was the series finale of “The Big Bang Theory” which is now one of the longest running Television Series in TV history and probably my most favorite of all. For twelve seasons I have watched “The Big Bang Theory” every Thursday night without fail (thank goodness for PVR’s) and I watch it regularly in reruns too (it might even border a bit on the obsessive side). I have undoubtedly seen the first 10/11 seasons at least a dozen times each by now (but who’s kidding who, it’s WAY more than that, right Rich?).

“The Big Bang Theory” centered around four socially awkward friends who in its very first episode befriends a beautiful aspiring actress/waitress when she moves in across the hall from two of them. They have absolutely nothing in common with one another yet somehow build relationships that many could only dream of having. Over time, several other key and supporting characters were also introduced into the mix and together over the course of twelve seasons we watched them grow into one big family.

Throughout the years “The Big Bang Theory” taught us so much about Science, Superheros and Star Wars but most of all it taught us so many important life lessons. It taught us that girls can be anything and do anything, it taught us that it’s okay to be different or quirky, it taught us about kindness, it taught us to reach for the stars, it taught us about acceptance and friendship and most of all it taught us the true definition of family.

Family can no longer be defined in the traditional sense of the word as two parents and children living together in one household because in today‘s complex world that is just simply unacceptable. And furthermore, who wants to believe that anyway.

Family also means a lot more than just being related by blood or marriage and “The Big Bang Theory” proved this to their audiences week after week right up until finale night. You know the old saying “You can’t choose your family”; well that is of course unless you redefine the word “Family” like these characters did.

The characters all had complicated and unconventional relationships with their parents and siblings which often made for some super funny episodes but who they relied on day after day as their confidants, who they spent holidays and birthdays with, who they shared their successes and failures with, who they reached out to whenever they needed a shoulder to cry on were their friends, the ones they chose to be their family.

I know what it feels like when friends become family. I have been lucky enough to know that feeling many times throughout my life. It’s the people in your life who want you to be in theirs, it’s the ones who accept you for who you are; imperfections and all, it’s the ones who go out of their way to make you smile and it’s the ones who love you no matter what. That’s what the true meaning of family is all about and that is what I will take away from watching all 279 episodes of “The Big Bang Theory”.

The final episode did not disappoint and it went out with a “Big Bang” and one last “Bazinga” but I’m still not ready to say goodbye. I’m really gonna miss tuning in each and every week to watch my Thursday night family continue to evolve but at least I know that they are just one click of a button away in reuns.

How do you define the word Family?

My Favorite Mother’s Day Present

Last year on Mother’s Day I chose me. You may recall how last year the five of us escaped the city for an entire day and night and spent time hiking, picnicking in the park, enjoying some cross border shopping and then finished the day off with dinner together at a restaurant of my choosing (See blog: This Mother’s Day I Choose Me; May 11, 2018). This year the timing (and weather for that matter) won’t allow for a hike or a picnic in the park or some cross border shopping or possibly even dinner all together but today I’m still choosing me even if it means having to do so in shifts as the girls are spending the afternoon with their Buby at a play and the boy has his first Baseball game of the season this evening. But so long as I get a few uninterrupted, quality moments with my babies this Mother’s Day it will all be worthwhile.

Since becoming a Mom, Mother’s Day has never been about presents, except of course the ones that were created with love and sticky fingers but many years ago my kids did buy me a gift that over time has become a very personal collection of everything that is important to me, and tells a story, one that is unique to only me. Can you guess what it was? Okay, fine I will tell you…they bought me a bracelet from Pandora with a charm attached that simply read “MOM”.

Those three letters mean more to me than anything else in this world and those three kids who made me a mom are my reason “why”. They are also the reason why I never take my bracelet off my wrist. I find myself looking at it a lot lately, always touching it, examining it and fidgeting with every charm I have received since then. This bracelet l wear proudly on my wrist is my daily reminder of how much I am loved. I may only have seven charms on my bracelet but each one of them signifies a piece of me and the most beautiful and meaningful parts of my story but no matter what or how many I choose to display upon my wrist I probably don’t need to tell you which one truly means the most.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful mom’s out there who are blessed with having their own unique and meaningful story to tell.

Giving Back

As I continue to focus on Mental Health Week I was reminded just how broken the Ontario Healthcare System is. With that in mind I wanted to share a letter with you that I received in the mail the other day. We’ve all received similar versions of this letter before from various Hospital foundations, Alumni groups or Not For Profit organizations and whether we choose to support their cause or not we know that giving them our support is much appreciated and most often a worthy one. But as I opened this letter and read the very first line I was faced with a mix of emotions. At first I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry but quickly those emotions turned to anger and frustration.

Many of you may recall a few months ago how I shared some of the most vulnerable moments of my journey thus far which included several visits to the emergency room that week including the one in which this letter is from, a hospital I was all too familiar with after spending many months in.

But that particular week they turned their back on me after opening up to them with pure, heart-wrenching honesty, telling them my thoughts of suicide. I also told them that I was no longer taking medication and I that I no longer wish to take medication for very good reasons, but I was not worthy enough to be helped unless I would agree to take medication and I was also told that their outpatient services could not help me either unless I again agreed to take medication. By the next evening I found myself in yet another emergency room after attempting to act on those thoughts.

I have given back plenty over the years to many causes and foundations and especially over the last several years for very obvious and personal reasons and I will continue to do so with some of the proceeds from my upcoming children’s book but certainly not to a place that made me feel even more unworthy than I already do.

Yes I came to you as a patient in need of help and yes I had profound trust in you, but you let me down when I needed you the most. I was at my most vulnerable and felt unsafe and you were unwilling to help me. And even though you may be a world renowned hospital who has been at the forefront of incredible research and development, much of which could not be possible without the help of generous donations, you left me a little more broken that day which I never knew was possible.

Please check out my blogs “My Grim Reality” (Nov 21, 2018); “Thank You From The Bottom Of My Heart ” (Nov 25, 2018) and “I Don’t Think I Can Get More Honest Than This” (Nov 30, 2018) for those of you who may have missed them. https://youareenough712.wordpress.com

One Day At A Time

This is my friend Lisa; okay let me rephrase that; this was my friend Lisa one year ago today. In this picture Lisa weighed just 84 pounds and was taken just before she began her lifesaving journey toward wellness after a 20 year battle with anorexia and bulimia.
To say this past year has been hard would be an understatement but nothing will ever compare to what her eating disorder took from her and her family for the last 20 years. She knew that day when she took this picture that if she didn’t take that first step forward toward recovery that she would likely die, and soon.
Eating Disorders actually have the highest mortality rate of all Mental Illness Disorders yet only 1 in 10 people who suffer with an eating disorder actually seek treatment. There are many types of eating disorders and often begin developing in adolescence or earlier, many of which can go unnoticed for years.
Today, one year later Lisa is in recovery and has been fortunate enough to achieve a healthy weight as she continues on her daily journey toward wellness. Recovery is not something that happens over night, it will most likely be a lifetime of good days and bad days for Lisa and many others struggling with an eating disorder but what truly matters is staying on that pathway to becoming happier and stronger every day.

Her family and friends are so proud of the strides she has made in the last year and I know she is too. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder and need someone to talk to Lisa has made it her life mission to be there to listen without judgment any way she can and has given many talks in the community and been featured in a video for CAMH as well. Feel free to reach out to her Facebook page SHYNZ Mission or follow her story at: https://wordpress.com/post/20yearsaprisoner.wordpress.com/8808

It’s Mental Health Week: Let’s #GetLoud Together

Today marks the beginning of CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) Mental Health Week. Every year since 1951 CMHA has been celebrating Mental Health Week beginning the first Monday in May and focuses on raising awareness to end the stigma surrounding Mental Illness while promoting good Mental Health in all Canadians.

One very important message that CMHA focuses on in its yearly campaign is to help all Canadians understand that everyone of us has Mental Health but that not everyone of us have a Mental Illness. Mental Health is the umbrella that covers our emotional, psychological and social well-being which basically affects the way we think, the way we feel, the way we handle stress, the way we relate to others, the way we make choices and the way we act overall through different stages of our lives.

A Mental Illness on the other hand can result from an obtrusion in our emotional, psychological or social well-being which has sadly become all too familiar and commonplace in today’s society, affecting 1 in every 5 Canadians at some point in their lifetime. Many of the more commonly diagnosed mental illnesses can make an individual lose their sense of self, their sense of purpose, their sense of belonging, their ability to contribute to society, their ability to feel joy or their ability to be resilient; all of which I have lived with for five years now.

CMHA’s campaign slogan #GetLoud continues to educate Canadians year after year on the importance of good Mental Health by using several different tools to help us all get in front of many of the signs that may be overlooked in someone suffering from a Mental Illness whether it’s your loved one, your co-worker, a member of your community or a student in your classroom. The campaign is more than just about promoting happiness, it’s about learning how to live a well-balanced life, one that we all deserve. It’s also about learning how to reach out to others, learning how to become more self-aware, learning how to be more proactive in our self-care and it’s about learning how to become a stigma-free society.

So let’s all #GetLoud this week and make a promise to continue to #GetLoud the other 51 weeks of the year as well, for anyone and everyone who is struggling with a Mental Illness until we are all able to find our sense of self once again, our sense of purpose once again, our sense of belonging once again, our ability to contribute to society once again, our ability to feel joy once again and our ability to be resilient once again in a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory STIGMA free society.

***Go to http://www.cmha.ca and check out more information on how to #GetLoud***
*** References http://www.cmha.ca ***