YouAreEnough

It’s been a week…and a real shitty one at that. Ironically though it was a short one because of the holiday on Monday, but somehow it felt way longer…

Too many appointments crammed into a short week. It was probably very poor planning on my part but when some appointments are booked weeks or even months in advance (6 to be exact) you start to lose track. One of these appointments triggered a panic attack just by entering into the hospital corridors where the sights, the sounds and the smells of this particular hospital continue to be a reminder of when I was brought into their emergency room earlier this year by 2 police officers, in handcuffs (can you really blame me though?).

I’ve also been experiencing worsening physical symptoms and severe flare ups that seem to go on for days and days. They cause debilitating nausea, hopelessness, helplessness, tears and severe anxiety.

There was lots more crap that went down this week to make it a real shitty, super long one but I won’t get into any of that right now.

I haven’t been able to do much self-care this week, which includes writing as I continue to struggle with how to battle my inner conflict that really hinders me from achieving my ultimate goal of wellness. My intrusive thoughts and often confusing emotions just keep overriding it, causing me feelings of fear, anger, shame, disgust and frustration. 

Today Rich and I set out on a #summerofrich adventure to try and calm my mind…and body. I find I’m most at peace when in nature, when I challenge myself (and boy was this hike ever challenging) and as for all my physical issues I’ve been dealing with for 15 months now, moving my body seems to be the only time I feel some relief.

How do you manage your inner conflicts?


#innerconflict #shittyweek #nature #calmness #relief #shame #frustration #hiking #challenge #adventure #itsoktonotbeok #treatmentresistantdepression #anxiety #ptsd #panicattacks #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #physicalpain #Psilocybin #intrusivethoughts #suicideawareness #transcanadatrail #brucetrail

I did a thing today on this post Canada Day holiday Monday. I got another tattoo. My third one. 


It was a gift from my kids for my birthday. I designed it specially with them and Rich in mind.


I never had any desire to get a tattoo (let alone 3 of them) before my mental health journey first began nine + years ago but much like my writing, tattoos have now become a way to express myself, inspire hope and resilience and acts as a daily reminder of my journey toward mental wellness.


Some tattoos serve as a reflection of our past, some tell our ongoing stories of the present and others represent an embodiment of the person you most want to become. 


Each of my tattoos bring new meaning to my journey. My latest one is particularly meaningful to me as it not only symbolizes my ongoing internal struggle between light and darkness, but it also honours my greatest treasures in my life; My Family.


My family means everything to me; they are “my sun, my moon and all of my stars” ~ E.E. Cummings. And much like the sun 🌞 and the moon🌛and all of the stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟, they too brighten my darkest days, inspire me, give me strength and renewal and light up my world.


I chose to place my new tattoo on my left forearm, directly pointing in the direction of my heart, the place where I hold my family so dearly. Now I have a permanent visual that I can look at every day and be reminded of what’s most important in my life and know that no matter where the Universe takes me, I will never be alone.

A huge thank you to my 3 reasons why for this very meaningful gift. I love you all to the moon and back, forever and a day. 


#tattoos #inked #fiftytwo #mysunmymoonmystars #myworld #myeverything #mylightanddark #internalstruggle #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #youareenough #threetimesacharm #meaningful #myjourney #writer #blogger #author #inspire #renewal #hope #resilience #strength #universe  #iloveyoutothemoonandback #foreverandaday @piranhatattoo

Today’s self-care; sun, water and good friends.

A lake is nature’s therapy, soothing the mind and rejuvenating the soul…especially when it’s freezing cold!

Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦 from Lake Simcoe

#selfcare #boating #friendsforlife #beautifulday #itsbetteronthelake #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #youmatter #canadaday #summervibes #anxiety #depression #nature #therapy #rejuvenation #iceberg #lakesimcoe #proudtobecanadian

“You know, the ones who make you feel the most YOU.

The ones that lift you up and help you remember who you really are.

The ones that remind you that a blip in the road is just that, a blip.

They are the ones that when you walk out of a room, they make you feel like a better person than when you walked in.

They are the ones that even if you don’t see them face to face as often as you’d like, you see them heart to heart.”
~ Jennifer Pastiloff 

#findyourpeople #mytribe #thankyou #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #depression #anxiety #mentalillnessisreal #throughthickandthin #canadadaylongweekend #shabbatshalom

A sweltering but beautiful #summerofrich adventure/birthday weekend hike today with friends. Our hikes always feel more meaningful when friends tag along ❤️. 

We hiked 10km in the heat and humidity, and pushed through some difficult terrain and uphill climbs but we took our time to rest, kept hydrated and fueled at each new spot we approached along the trail; and captured all of its beauty and essence surrounding us. 

There is truly nothing more exhilarating than pushing yourself through to the finish line of a difficult hike. The endorphin rush you feel afterwards is your body and mind’s way of patting you on the back and saying, “good job, you did it!”

“When everything feels like an uphill battle, just think of the view from the top.” ~ unknown 


Please continue to follow our #summerofrich adventures @ youareenough712.wordpress.com 


#summerishere #birthdayweekend #hiking #nature #adventures #waterfalls #beauty #ontarioisyourstodiscover #thebrucetrail #sidetrails #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #endorphins #feelinghothothot #friendship #betterwithfriends #youareenough #uphillbattles 

I just wanted to take a moment to say a gigantic and heartfelt thank you to everyone who sent messages, called or texted me yesterday for my birthday. I appreciate you all. Xoxo


I’m officially 52 now.


As I mentioned in a recent Blog, I’ve been having a really difficult time processing this birthday and it’s not even a big one.


Feeling so hopeless, frustrated and helpless by this point in my very tiresome journey have definitely been contributing factors.


But if you are someone who believes in the symbolism of numbers then I should be feeling pretty hopeful about the year ahead because according to Numerology (the study and meaning of numbers), the number 52 is a pretty darn powerful one.


We all know that there are 52 cards in a deck and 52 weeks in a year but did you also know that the number 52 carries with it, the “vibrations” of new beginnings, good luck (boy do I ever need some of that), good fortune, spiritual enlightment, adventure, inner guidance & intuition, harmony, balance and something new on the horizon.


It is said that when you combine the numbers 5 and 2 together it creates a whole new energy; an energy, that is, of positive change. 

Could someone be trying to tell me something? And if so, just know that I am listening. 


#Numerology #fiftytwo #five #two #itsmybirthdayandillcryifiwantto #happybirthdaytome #symbolism #imlistening #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #healthandwellbeing #physicalhealth #mentalhealth #balance #goodluck #positiveenergy #blogger #advocate #writer #author #youareenough #youarenotalone 

Today, being the Summer Solstice it is believed to hold the greatest energy, prosperity, vibrancy and strength within us and is also an important reminder to nurture ourselves, just as the sun nurtures us and to allow the light within us to spread hope and inspiration to someone else’s darkness.

I hope that no matter where you are in the world today that you were able to feel a ray of sunlight within you.

#happysummersolstice #summersolstice #summerisofficiallyhere #summertime #rayofsunlight #energy #prosperity #vibrancy #strength #hope #inspiration #longestdayoftheyear #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #youareenough #youmatter #youarenotalone #selfcare

And just like that Rachel is home, safe and sound after 7 magical weeks in Israel. 


During her time away, she strengthened bonds between old friends, created many new ones, reached outside her comfort zone, learned new life skills, gained more insight into her culture’s history and religious importance and most of all she made memories to last a lifetime.


And now, she’s got two whole days at home to catch up on some sleep, do her laundry and repack her belongings before leaving again Wednesday morning to camp, her other home, for the remainder of the summer. 


“Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show.” ~ unknown


#travel #experiences #mentalwellness  #everlastingmemories #Israel #Birthright #internship #camp #homeawayfromhome #fathersday #daddyslittlegirl #friendship #history #culture #ourjourney #homeawayfromhome 

When I first met you I thought you were just some cute guy with sparkling blue eyes and a great sense of humour. 


I never knew back in those early days of dating or even in our first few years of marriage what type of father you would be. 


And then one day it happened and that’s when I truly understood. 


I understood that anyone can be a father to a child but that it takes a very special kind of man to become a dad.


A dad is someone who is full of unconditional love for his children. 


A dad shows up.


A dad goes above and beyond.


A dad forms healthy, nurturing relationships with his kids.


A dad takes his kids to the petting zoo, sits in the front row of their dance recitals and ties up their skates (and goalie pads).


A dad never stops teaching his children. 


A dad listens. Asks how their day was.


A dad admits his mistakes and apologizes when he’s wrong.


A dad provides a sense of comfort, laughter, emotional support, guidance and connection no matter their child’s age.


You belong to a very elite group Rich and you are the true definition of a ‘Dad’. You are an amazing Dad and don’t ever stop believing it.


We love you to the moon and back, forever and a day. 


Happy Dad’s Day to you and to all the other amazing dads celebrating today or being remembered today for their awesomeness.


#fathersday #beingadad #awesomeness #unconditionallove #emotionalsupport #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #connection #loveyoutothemoonandback #foreverandaday #youmatter #family #blessed #dogdaddy #summerofrich #blueeyes #laughter

A very triumphant and rewarding #summerofrich hike today.

Silver Creek Conservation Park to Scotsdale Farm and back. 12km of very difficult terrain and so much calm.

Take the time this weekend to do what you love to do and spend time with the people you love. May this weekend help to boost your energy and rejuvenate your soul for the week ahead.

Thank goodness for AllTrails App!

#summerofrich #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #weekendvibes #energyboost #dowhatyoulove #familymatters #rejuvenation #fathersdayweekend #yourmentalhealthmatters #youmatter #youareworthy #youareenough #nature #beauty #waterfalls #ontarioisyourstodiscover #brucetrail #alltrailsapp