I have racked my brain trying to remember what Christmas was like after the age of about fourteen and the truth is that I cannot remember. I was more than likely in a black-out drunk state for the entire month of December, year after year. The month of December has typically involved a month-long mental … Continue reading Dear Santa: I’ve Been Kind of Good
Category: Mental Health
Slay the Season
December has traditionally involved a month-long mental health breakdown complete with a rollercoaster ride of emotions, year after year. My love-hate relationship with Christmas began when I was a teenager. I have always been able to enjoy the fun, festive moments that were sprinkled in and I put myself out there in different ways to … Continue reading Slay the Season
Pizza Hut Life Lessons
My first job other than babysitting was as a dishwasher at Pizza Hut when I was in grade nine. I worked a couple evenings a week and on weekends for $6 an hour. I was one year older than the majority of the kids in grade nine because I repeated grade seven. I was the … Continue reading Pizza Hut Life Lessons
Wild Woman Wisdom
Welcome to Wild Woman Wisdom, the new blog brought to you by the same creator as Backpack Chronicles. Me! Why the name change and who and what is a Wild Woman? Writing and creating in the form of short stories, articles, journaling, and blogging has always been an important part of my life. When I … Continue reading Wild Woman Wisdom
Keep Being Curious
When I decided to stop drinking alcohol and declared myself as sober, I was told by a couple of people that the term "sober" did not suit me. I liked wine and hard liquor but on the surface it did not look like I had a problem. I did not drink every day but when … Continue reading Keep Being Curious
A Soul-Reviving Solo Adventure
Riding Mountain National Park is a place that feels like home away from home for me and I always feel wrapped in the warmth of Mother Nature's arms. I seek good vibes and I do a lot of work to cultivate it around me. My self-care sometimes calls for a little soul-reviving action and that … Continue reading A Soul-Reviving Solo Adventure
My Day of Solo Hiking
I have been mentally exhausted constantly and with gearing up to hopefully lead outdoor events again soon, I was also in need of professional development. What better way to get everything I need than to wander through the woods! Spending time in nature always helps me with refocusing. With a much longed for and needed … Continue reading My Day of Solo Hiking
Living in Harmony as an Extroverted Lone Wolf
Even though I am an extrovert, I feel I have become a lone wolf over the past 3 to 4 years. During these past few years, I have explored what I wanted a life with a focus on my mental health to look like. I found comfort in being by myself, which was a stark … Continue reading Living in Harmony as an Extroverted Lone Wolf
Preparing for a Long, Dark Winter
My clinical depression met my covid depression earlier this year and now covid depression is preparing to meet my seasonal depression. My clinical depression and seasonal depression know one another quite well but covid depression is the annoying third-wheel. With all three of these depressions mixing and mingling and the days getting shorter, I have … Continue reading Preparing for a Long, Dark Winter
Second Annual Shameless Circle Fundraising Dinner
I cradled my black and red high heels in my hands and reminisced about the events that I had worn them to. I bought them 13 years ago to wear to the Alzheimer Society Gala at the Fort Gary Hotel and they remained my go-to formal footwear choice. After 13 years and countless events, they … Continue reading Second Annual Shameless Circle Fundraising Dinner