It's Been One Of Those Very Busy Weeks Of Vacation, Filled With Family And Amazing Adventures (and More

Some people with depression

- cannot get out of bed. Some can. 

- cannot keep a job. Some can. 

- cannot eat. Some can. 

- cannot stop eating. Some can. 

- self-harm. Some don’t. 

- are suicidal. Some aren’t. 

- take medication. Some don’t. 

- have more bad days than others 

- have more support systems than others

My point is that depression is not universal and while there is a general cluster of symptoms, it manifests differently in everyone. You can’t always spot depression on the street, in the grocery store, or at them gym. Depression doesn’t always jump out at you and let you know that there’s a person who is hurting deeply. Don’t contribute to stigmatization. 

Not listed: Nothing that tastes good. At all. Next time I'll read the packaging first... https://www.instagram.com/p/ByinMGiB-BpApaWuWXFHzHxcDVkg57sXFyS-Bc0/?igshid=2ezgov2hphwz

Now *this* is a day I can get behind! For introverts, recharging our batteries isn't a luxury; it's a requirement to stay healthy. So for anyone observing or interested, get your hot cup of whatever, your things that recharge you (book, music, warm bath, yoga, netflix binge, etc), and enjoy a day dedicated to refueling yourself. #worldintrovertday #introvert #introverts #introvertsuniteseparatelyinyourownhomes #mentalhealth #selflove #selfcare https://www.instagram.com/raistlinsghost/p/CYPRu7_JUxl/?utm_medium=tumblr

Omw to pick up my young Avenger and head to #FANEXPOCanada I've been taking her for years and it's one of the things we both love doing together. In spite of all the things we lug around in our bags of hammers, maybe (just maybe) sometimes all it takes is a fingersnap, and some gratitude for the good things. @officialfxc #fanexpocanada2019 #fanexpo #gratitude https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gd5YLBMcp/?igshid=2xiwkyhijzfk

Early morning moonset. Right in the same spot the sun goes down. Pretty neat to see. My camera phone (or me using it) doesn't do it justice. https://www.instagram.com/p/CVP_KFmra1uMl6XVcd_6cXCerPODpF5L6Hphj40/?utm_medium=tumblr

From now on, this is my answer to the "glass half full/half empty" question. #funnybuttrue https://www.instagram.com/p/CRWYFesBNAAMHpSU2XOLXkYbwQYyWRXaQ-z99I0/?utm_medium=tumblr

I have gotten into the habit of rolling a D20 each day; my own "how is today going to go?" thing. Today I rolled this. I am going to go through my day with extreme caution. lol. #mylifeisanrpg #rolledaone #criticalfail #fumble https://www.instagram.com/p/BvRh-SphhHV5Ve7MmuJ8X77Idjz2fBdKv-zzsg0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dn5vnf9hmije

Ever since I first saw Endgame, I recognized the depth in Thor's story that maybe some who don't battle mental (or chronic) illness wouldn't. No matter what you're dealing with, or how much you struggle: You are still worthy. Nice to see a counselor agrees with me: https://www.whereyouarecounseling.com/blog/2019/9/13/what-thor-taught-us-about-depression-and-self-worth #youareworthy #depression #chronicillness #chronicillnessmemes #depressionmemesarethebest https://www.instagram.com/p/CKRL22vBwDEWYZ0d8izUOWwSuc6fQSCNkYB8R80/?igshid=1e74ihz7w0g4i

Before the beginning of last year, I came across an idea about documenting positive experiences over a year by jotting down little notes of 'Good Things' that take place, so that at a future point, you can look back, maybe when you need to see the positives, or to gain perspective. I call the various things I have to deal with my "bag of hammers". (Not my idea. I stole it from Michael J. Fox.) We all carry one of these bags around with us; it's just the contents that differ between each of us. At the moment, my bag of hammers is heavier than usual, and I thought this would be a good time to review my list of 'Good Things', and begin anew. I wanted to share this in case any of you like the idea and wanted to try it out yourself. And to say out loud that it's ok to talk about the things in each of our bags of hammers, and ok for us to have to carry them. As I look through my list from last year, I am strengthened, and am able to find gratitude for all of the things, large and small that I have to be thankful for. #practicinggratitudehelps #affirmationshelp #itsoktoneedhelp https://www.instagram.com/p/BtN_menBhJBOikj480tO2ukiSYpYTl452ZpBaI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dtiwvfuh10hl

So it's the end of the year, and as everyone's feeds flood with gratitude and year end or new year resolution posts, my contribution is my 2019 Good Things Jar. I've been filling one of these jars each year for a couple of years now. I'm not as good at tracking all of the good things as I would like to be. But this post and the exercise itself isn't about beating myself up. Exactly the opposite, actually. When I think about something worth noting that happens to me, whether a once in a lifetime occasion or a moment of daily trivia that just hits me, I do my best to write it down and stuff it in the jar. Reading through these little notes is awesome for reflection for me. For helping me get some much needed perspective, when I'm writing the notes, and when I take the time to look back. So I'll keep doing these jars. I would encourage anyone who hasn't done something like this to try it out, or something else like it. It helps. We can all too easily get caught up in the things that stress us, that we consider our failures, our losses, and lose sight of the beauty, the small victories. The things that make it worth it. #perspective #practicinggratitude #jarsformentalhealth #sothatwas2019 https://www.instagram.com/p/B6w1JbbhkSN3DycwpUcxAVqYK4NlkUqtxYWxgs0/?igshid=swg0yactkzkq