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
Tag: Anxiety
It Just Became Way Too Much
I took a leave of absence from work recently due to my mental health taking a sharp decline. My depression and anxiety combined with acute life stress made day-to-day functioning extremely challenging. Mental illness is one of those things that unless you personally have experience with it, either through loved ones or yourself can be … Continue reading It Just Became Way Too Much
Potential news headline, “Local woman smashes Jollibee statue with sledgehammer in Christmas rage”
This time of the year is fucking hard for me. I'm just going to come right out and say that I dread this time of the year. I found myself in a Jollibee parking lot last night eating the skin of fried chicken. It was one of the lowest points of my existence during the … Continue reading Potential news headline, “Local woman smashes Jollibee statue with sledgehammer in Christmas rage”
Wisdom from a duck
Mother's Day was this past weekend and memories on Facebook reminded me that seven years ago I was making eggplant "meatballs" with my then-2 year old daughter. Facebook does not show the memories that came later that evening when six first-responders showed up in my home and I was taken to the hospital due to … Continue reading Wisdom from a duck
I’ll be in the woods
My mental health is strained this week. I am tired, irritable, and emotional. I lack focus and motivation. I am essentially on auto-pilot, just doing enough to get by. I have a couple of exciting activities this week but a part of me wants nothing to do with them. That part of me just wants … Continue reading I’ll be in the woods
Savoury Breakfast Cookies for the Trail
My husband began to make breakfast on Sunday while I looked out my living room window with my mind in a fog. I felt overwhelmed and anxious when I woke up. I brought my journal and coloured pens to the dining room table and wrote while I sipped coffee. Journaling eased the anxious thoughts. My … Continue reading Savoury Breakfast Cookies for the Trail
Saying Yes to Loving Myself
I made the decision three years ago to stop drinking alcohol. Valentine's Day is my anniversary and I have gifted myself something each year. My gift this year is to create more opportunities that I can say yes to. Removing alcohol and making my mental health a top priority has created space for me to … Continue reading Saying Yes to Loving Myself
Singing the winter blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder
During my presentation for Women's Programming at Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba, I touched on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). With the shorter days in full swing, I want to dive a little deeper and share how it affects me and what I am doing to hopefully slay it this year. I saw my doctor recently … Continue reading Singing the winter blues: Seasonal Affective Disorder
Speaking at Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba
Last week I gave a presentation at Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba entitled The Backpack Chronicles: The path to sobriety and mental wellness through nature. I had no idea how many people would show up and I imagined anywhere from one person to a packed room with standing space only. A Facebook event had been created … Continue reading Speaking at Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba
Let’s talk about mental health and hiking
I have been occupied with working on a project that is an extension of my blog, which is why I have been quiet with posting. I am preparing to expand the community that my voice reaches by using my lived-experience with mental illness to speak at Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba as part of Women's … Continue reading Let’s talk about mental health and hiking
Wild Woman Wisdom 