Committing to spending quality time with friends and family is an important part of our social well-being and overall wellness.

One of the best ways to achieve these goals is by creating traditions with friends, family and our chosen families too.

Despite our busy schedules and hectic lives, not everyone is always available to join in so easily anymore but, nonetheless these moments are super important to me and are such a great way to nurture connection, distract from the chaos, focus on what is truly important, feel a sense of belonging and appreciation and it brings with it a sense of comfort to the unpredictability of life.

Thanks @sheriepstein for always putting in the extra effort to ensure that our special family time traditions keep going 😇

#applepicking #traditions #connection #chosenfamily #qualitytime #family #belonging #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #summerofrich/falledition #dogsarefamilytoo #maggieandperry

In support of National Bullying Prevention Month throughout October and World Mental Health Day on October 10th we have created a new design. 

Our words contain power and energy.  

Words can cause hurt, anger and sadness. 

Words can bring comfort, heal, validate and inspire us. 

Words can be kind and encouraging; humiliating or harmful. 

Words can uplift or leave us feeling defeated. 

The words we choose can change the direction of our relationships. 

Words can change the trajectory of your life. 

The right words make all the difference. 

Words are powerful beyond measure. 

Choose them wisely.

Now that Fall has arrived, it’s time to cozy up with a comfy @gentlereminderproject hoodie. Message us to purchase one today. Lots of beautiful affirmations to choose from. Let others know that it’s okay not to be okay. You are not alone. 

In support of Youth Mental Health

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1582580498824969?s=yWDuG2&fs=e

#Nationalbullyingpreventionmonth #worldmentalhealthday #choosekindness #agentlereminder #ourwordsmatter #mentalhealth #wordsarepowerful #letschangethelanguage #mentalhealth #antibullying #youareenough #youarenotalone #itsoktonotbeok 

*mention of suicide*

Eventually you close your eyes and fall asleep after tossing and turning for hours. The voices in your head don’t give you much time to rest and before you know it, the sun has risen and morning has come. 

You open your eyes. 

But you wish you hadn’t. I wish I hadn’t too.

Every 40 seconds someone takes their own life. That’s close to 800,000 people worldwide every single year. In many instances a suicidal person may hide behind their “mask”, fake a smile or tell you everything is “fine” even though it isn’t. 

Too many of us feel as though we have to pretend to be the person they think others want or expect us to be so we put on our mask, fake a smile and tell the world everything is fine even though it’s not. We fear we will be judged by our friends or we don’t want to feel like a burden to our loved ones or look weak to society. 

A mask, a fake smile or a simple word can hide a magnitude of pain and sadness but it doesn’t have to be that way. I promise you, you are not alone. I know it’s scary but it’s okay to admit that life is really fucking hard. 

The last few months have been excruciatingly difficult for me and as I’ve mentioned before I’ve been consumed by thoughts of suicide. I am so beyond blessed though for all the incredible support I have at every turn and I am especially grateful to those who have rallied around both me and my family in recent weeks. I am not afraid to admit that life is really, really hard right now and as Glennon Doyle (bestselling author and activist) will attest to after recovering from an almost 20 year battle with addiction and bulimia, that not only is it okay to admit when life feels really hard but that it’s also okay to say, “actually today I’m not fine”. Afterall, we are all just human beings and we shouldn’t have to run from our feelings or be afraid of them. 

When we admit those words aloud, when we are in the most pain or darkest moments, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out just how many people will show up. 

The world is a messy place, but I’ve learned I don’t have to attempt it alone, and you my friend, neither should you.

Keep checking up on your friends and loved ones, even the strong and happy ones. 

#suicideawarenessmonth #checkonyourstrongfriends #suicideprevention #mentalillness #mentalwellness #itsoktonotbeok #youarenotalone #lifeishard #lifecanbemessy #imnotfine #itsoktoaskforhelp #youareenough

Rachel gifted herself with her first tattoo yesterday to honour her 20th birthday.

She has had an obsession with elephants ever since she was a little girl. I also believe that they are truly magnificent animals and I especially love the symbolism which elephants represent (and besides, who here doesn’t adore Dumbo?).

Elephants are best known for their mammoth size and statue, both which symbolize strength and power, even though the truth is, they are really just gentle giants much like the adorable babylike cartoon elephant Rachel chose for her tattoo.

Elephants also represent true family values. They are seen as extremely protective of their young along with the rest of their herds too. They will stop at nothing to protect them. I know there are probably some humans who could learn a thing or two from elephants about putting family above all else.

There are also many different cultures and practices around the world, especially to Buddha who consider elephants to be a very sacred and spiritual creature and a symbol for wisdom, motivation, longevity, compassion, good luck and fortune as well. 

I totally get why Rachel is so drawn to elephants. And me too.

*Sidenote: Rich btw is now the only one in our fam without a tattoo, not that I ever saw myself getting one either before 6 years ago, let alone two and a third one on top of my mind. They are actually quite addictive, especially when you bring meaning and purpose into them. Maybe to honour his upcoming 60th birthday in November Rich should get one too? Maybe matching ones? What do you think?

#elephants #tattoos #symbolism #gentlegiants #magnificent #strength #power #familyvalues #compassion #spiritual #sacred #fortune #wisdom #luck #motivation #longevity #mentalhealth #mentalwellness 

He was the first to capture my ❤️

#nationalsonsday #myboy #firstborn #mentalhealth #loveyoutothemoonandback #foreverandaday #myheart #thelifeoftheparty

I can’t believe my baby is 20 years old today.

Dad and I are so very proud of the bright, beautiful, extraordinarily talented, creative, passionate and resilient young woman you are growing into each and every day Rachel. 

And now as you embark on this next leg of your journey to a new decade, I have no doubt that you will triumph through it as you figure your 20’s out but just in case you get stuck from time to time here are some important things to remember:

*Take advantage of the carefree days.

*Many amazing changes are coming your way in the next decade.

*People will start to take you way more seriously now that the word “teen” is no longer attached to your age.

*There is no rush to figure it all out today or even tomorrow; you’re only 20 afterall.

*Keep setting new goals and go for it.

*Make time for fun, for friends, for family and for new adventures. 

*Find your superpower.

*Work hard but more importantly play hard too.

*Keep learning, even when school is done.

*Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

*If at first you don’t succeed try, try again. 

*Don’t compare yourself to others.

*Learn to forgive yourself. 

*Spend time with people who lift you up.

*Nourish your body and your mind. 

*Keep focus on your physical and mental health. 

*And most important of all…never forget that dad and I will always be here to catch you when you fall.

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays and decade yet. We love you to the moon and back Rachel, forever and a day.

#happybirthday #thisistwenty #birthdaygirl #newdecade #celebrate #nomoreteenagers #chapterthree #babyofthefamily #fluxy #rachy #dreamoutloud #makeawish

That’s all I wanted to say…now carry on with your regular scheduled programming.

#friendship #grateful #blessed #mentalhealth #thankyouforbeingafriend #thatswhatfriendsarefor

Two-thirds of my ❤️


#nationaldaughtersday #mygirls #mentalhealth #loveyoutothemoonandback #foreverandaday #myheart #libra #virgo

*Please enjoy some of the highlights from #summerofrich 2022 https://www.facebook.com/reel/497774772191176?s=yWDuG2&fs=e

Today is the first full day of Fall. 

You can already feel it in the air.

I have to say that I do love summer more than all the other seasons combined but who could argue that there is just something about Fall that gives us a fresh outlook or perspective.

Fall gives us an opportunity for change, to meet new people, to set new goals and to find ways to motivate ourselves as we dive back into more regular daily routines. 

The cooler temps and vibrant colours on the trees make us want to immerse ourselves in nature. Such incredible benefits for our mental health. 

Fall often means more time to spend with family whether it be during holidays or sipping on pumpkin spice lattes or chowing down on Halloween candy. 

With the winter blues on the horizon for many, Fall is a great time to embrace nature’s healing powers and resilience.

Describe your perfect Fall day. 

#Fall #autumn #change #goals #resilience #healingpowers #nature #endofsummer #winterblues #ilovesummer  #summerofrich #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #vibrantfallcolours #coolertemps #whatisyourperfectfallday 

Yesterday’s blog I posted was pretty heavy. I know. (In case you missed it though: https://youareenough712.wordpress.com/2022/09/20/tmi/)

By the time I finished writing it, it was well after 4am but I was up anyways as I’d been anxiously awaiting a text from Jacob to let me know that he’d landed safely in Israel. My imagination seems to run into overdrive at those hours of the night (well technically the morning) and is definitely when my thoughts feel most despairing which I’m sure many of you can relate to. 

I’m very overwhelmed right now to say the least, and writing has become such a cathartic outlet for me so I started writing earlier that evening to help try and calm my distressing thoughts and I just kept on writing and then writing some more. I guess I just needed to get my thoughts out of my head. 

I wasn’t sure the more I sat and wrote that I was actually intending to share it publicly as I wasn’t sure how it would be received, but I’m very glad I did. The outpouring of love and genuine concern I received after people read my post was immeasurable. I received messages from people asking how they can support me, others privately offering up some suggestions and resources for me and many more just messaging me to check in to see if I was okay and safe.

There was also a general theme present in many of the messages I received both on and offline yesterday which I’ve heard time and time again since I first began sharing my journey; Kim you are so brave.

I honestly don’t see myself as brave at all. 

Sharing my story has become second nature for me. It gives me purpose. Being authentic and real gives me purpose. I am not ashamed to talk about the struggles I go through living with a mental illness, it’s only given me more purpose which is why I don’t necessarily consider myself brave. 

I will say though that maybe it takes a great deal of courage to do what I do (especially yesterday) given how mental illness is so misconceived and misunderstood by so much of society still and the stigma that’s very much attached to it. 

We all struggle with one thing or another in our lives but too many of us unfortunately still choose to do so in silence which is why I am perceived as someone who is so brave. Bravery is being afraid to do something but doing it anyways so my guess is l bet we all have the power within us to be brave!

#suicideawarenessmonth #beingbrave #courage #purpose #sharingmystory #beingauthentic #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety #secondnature #itsoktonotbeok #youarenotalone #youareenough #sufferinginsilence