How Are you Feeling?? National Mental Health Day 22'

 In honor of "National Mental Health Day" I have decided to slowwwww down and check my own mental health status. It's been quite a year to say the very least but overall, the good has been outweighing the bad, thus far!

 Even on my "bad days" and in the midst of my "moody moments" I am pleased with how I have been handling things lately. 

Some wise person once said, "it's okay to get down, just don't stay there!"

 Nothing is or ever will be perfect. However, I have far more to be thankful for than I have to complain about. :)

I have gained so many of the things that I had prayed for around this exact same time last year; that alone is a blessing! Keeping a positive mindset seems so cliché but it's true that when we change our mindsets or perceptions; we in turn, change our realties as well! 

Overall, I have made it a priority to change how I choose to look at things and it's changing my life tremendously. I have been journaling consistently, it's therapeutic for me. I do yoga daily, even if it's just for a few minutes per session. 

And though it's sometimes hard to "shut down my mind," I meditate and fire gaze to center and calm my inner thoughts. My anxiety and depression have improved drastically too thanks to me adhering to my medication management routine a well as seeking (virtual) therapy.

 I've also been actively working on building and maintaining a stronger relationship with God. Without him, I am nothing! I caused a lot of my own storms thinking that I could do everything myself. 

IT IS OKAY TO NOT FEEL OKAY! IT'S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP! IT'S OKAY TO SEEK THERAPY AND IT'S OKAY TO DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU EVEN IF IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ANYONE ELSE AROUND YOU! 

Mental Health awareness is so important to me because it is often so stigmatized, especially in the black community. I am also passionate about being a mental health advocate because of my own personal struggles with Bipolar Disorder (Type II), PTSD, anxiety and depression.

I can vividly recall all of the conflicting thoughts and clouded chaotic emotions that I would feel before I really took the time to settle down and tackle my mental health head on! 

Contrary to popular belief, it won't fix itself!

It is up to you to take initiative to take care of your mental health!   

When you feel better mentally, everything around you gets better realistically. 

Ask yourself, "how do I really feel today?"

-SDP