NOSTIGMAS ALLY BLOG
Documenting the lives of the NoStigmas community through stories, creative works & advocacy related to mental illness and suicide.
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Bookshelf Series
I am not one who normally comments on the ongoings of the world, I usually reflect on them internally while silently taking in the reactions of others. Lately however, with all the hate and violence going on it’s hard to stay quiet. I’m scared, I’m sad, I’m hopeless. I hate to admit that I feel hopeless but sometimes it’s the truth. I simply do not understand how we can have so much anger in us that we need to cause harm to others and ultimately ourselves, over and over again.
There can be a great deal of pain associated with our pasts. That pain can bring on feelings we try and avoid at all costs; feelings of shame, embarrassment, and hopelessness. The thing about our past however, is it will always be a part of us. No matter how much we try to hide where we came from our past cannot be unwritten, it will always follow us, be our shadow. The key to dealing with our past is through acknowledgement, acceptance and understanding.
There is only one thing I have ever been certain about in life; becoming a mother. There was never any question in my mind that one day I would have children of my own. Whenever I thought about the future I always imagined all the wonderful memories I would create with my children. I dedicated several years in my mid to late twenties focusing on becoming the best version of myself. Keeping my depression and anxiety in line was always a big reason for this but it was also about preparing myself to be the best mom I could be. I never wanted my future child to feel the burden of my illness, I needed to be in the best possible place for myself before I could become a mother.
Occasionally I will come across a book that has too many powerful quotes to highlight just one (at least for now), I Am That Girl is one of them. I Am That Girl by Alexis Jones is the epitome of girl power for the 21st century. It's all about breaking through self- doubt, embracing our weaknesses and proudly admitting yes, I am that girl.
Gratitude is a common theme in many of the books that I read, probably because it is the backbone to good mental health. If there is one good habit above all that we should practice each and every day, it is being thankful. This can be extremely hard when our mental health is not in the best of places, but hard work is essential in overcoming adversities. Several research studies have shown that practicing gratitude can considerably reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
