I am officially changing jobs. I am sad to say that I am leaving NAMI Jacksonville. I will be starting with Guardian Ad Litem as a Case Advocate Manager in two weeks. Honestly I am somewhat relieved and ready for a change. The new job has some wonderful benefits, including tuition reimbursement. I hope to … Continue reading Change is gonna come
Tag: wellness
NAMIWalks Jacksonville 2022
Last Saturday was a culmination of months of preparation. It was quite a sight to see so many gathered to raise awareness for mental health. We had politicians in attendance, news anchors covering the story, high school bands, cheerleaders, Jags mascot and cheerleaders, wellness fair, tons of participants. The event went off without a hitch, … Continue reading NAMIWalks Jacksonville 2022
30 seconds or less, my story.
I have been asked to tell my story, of breaking the stigma of mental illness in 30 seconds. There is an upcoming Jacksonville Iceman special event on mental health awareness upcoming. I was asked to tell my story, in 30 seconds or less. My face will be on a Jumbotron. They will shoot the stories … Continue reading 30 seconds or less, my story.
Getting by, post-Hurricane Ian
I wanted to inform my friends and fans that we faired okay living in Northeast Florida. Despite some brief power outages, and a few fallen branches, we went unscathed. Unlike the rest of central and south Florida who are trying to pick up the pieces that was left in the wake of Hurricane Ian. I … Continue reading Getting by, post-Hurricane Ian
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Self- worth, self-love, and self-respect. Somehow those words have escaped me. For 20 years my bestie would tease me that I am a chameleon, a pleaser, a shape-shifter or yes-woman. I don’t think I ever fully understood what she meant until my recent troubles. I admit that I lacked the insight to see that I … Continue reading R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Here we go again.
I managed to keep it together for a rather busy day. I did some work early on. Got hazel out the door (Ella I found out later has strep throat). Met virtually with my psychiatrist and IOP in the morning. Took Ella to urgent care, attempted to fill her Rx of antibiotics twice. Took Ella … Continue reading Here we go again.
The Key to Happiness
This is the title of one of my favorite Russian novels from the Silver Age, “turn of the 20th century”. The book is all about self-discovery. In line with that I have recently in my own struggles worked on processing my emotions through—willingness. I have sat with uncomfortable emotions and allowed myself to feel them. … Continue reading The Key to Happiness
All we need is just a little patience…
I took a major step backward yesterday. I pushed myself too hard the last couple days. I trained as an lacrosse official, too many obligations in general scheduled…and then yesterday occurred. It was a mix of lack of sleep from the night before (maybe 3 hours), trying to do IOP and work simultaneously, more work … Continue reading All we need is just a little patience…
SGs Workout Plan reboot 2022
I started this sometime late last year. I was unsuccessful. One of the main reasons for such was my later discovered sleep apnea. Second, I admittedly did not change my diet initially to the point where I was eating at a deficit, nor did I do my best to eat clean. Third, I stopped dead … Continue reading SGs Workout Plan reboot 2022
The best and worst of times.
Man I love that book. I love Dickens in general and identify with dichotomies so well living with bipolar disorder. Today was one of those days that on any other occasion of having symptoms, would’ve sent me through the roof. I maintained, I performed, I rose to the challenge. I used every coping skill I … Continue reading The best and worst of times.
Controlled chaos, a tale of returned hypomanic symptoms.
I have attempted with every ounce of my being to prevent the hypomanic symptoms, but it seems it has appeared, beyond my control. For those unfamiliar with hypomania it is classically defined in the DSM-5, as elevated mood, increased energy, rapid thinking, heightened anxiety, assertiveness, less need for sleep, irritability or inability to focus. Hypomania … Continue reading Controlled chaos, a tale of returned hypomanic symptoms.
Reassurance and relief
I continue to struggle as Monday August 29 marks two weeks of interrupted sleep patterns. Two days in from a recent cpap level adjustment, it is still very difficult to continue to sleep past the threshold of 4 hours of sleep using the machine. I continue to awake today at the lovely hour of 230pm. … Continue reading Reassurance and relief
Just the way you are
Reflecting on one of my favorite songs by Bruno Mars: Cause you're amazingJust the way you areAnd when you smileThe whole world stops and stares for a while'Cause girl, you're amazingJust the way you are We are conditioned to automatically self-reject compliments, positivity or positive reinforcement. The belief to be perfect and never measuring up. … Continue reading Just the way you are
MAY. Mental Health Awareness Month, obligatory testimony.
I have grown accustomed to sharing my struggles with mental health over the years. Whether as a outreach presenter with NAMI sharing my story with various types of audiences, or writing a brief post here and there on social media. Whenever May rolls around every year, I am always inclined to share with others, what … Continue reading MAY. Mental Health Awareness Month, obligatory testimony.
NAMI Connection Facilitator Training Spring’22
I recall that moment in 2008, when I first attended a NAMI Connection Support group. In that moment I was nervous to step foot into a mental health support group, not even considering sharing with strangers my own struggles. I lived in Southern Maryland with my parents at the time. I was living in recovery … Continue reading NAMI Connection Facilitator Training Spring’22
The Seascapechronicles 