What’s your experience with mental illness?
Does anyone in your family suffer from such issues?
Do you deal with any mental health problems?
Would you like to share about your experiences?
❤️❤️❤️
Category: Health – Anxiety and depression
Bloggers Talk About Mental Health Support Group on Facebook – Will you join us?
Bloggers Talk About Mental Health Support Group
Hello Fellow Bloggers,
I have been talking about my struggles with anxiety, depression and ,possibly, Bipolar Disorder Type II since I started this blog a year ago. I was never ashamed to put it out there. I mean, I’m lying. I was NO LONGER ashamed to put it out there. There was a lot of shame once.
There was also loneliness.
That is why I decided to start this Facebook group where we can all talk, support each other, vent, complain, share experiences and frustrations, all with people who DO understand.
I know many of you struggle with mental health issues as well, so I thought we could all be together in this. Will you be my shoulder to cry on? I will be very happy to be yours.
Look for the group, share with your friends who needed us as well.
Love you all.
Chey.
I have Great News!!
Everyone,
I just wanted to stop by and tell you that I had an appointment with my psychiatrist yesterday and she said I looked like a different person. She said I’m so much better and that she was very happy to see me. She reduced my medication and so I’m no longer on Bupropion and Mexazolam, which I have been taking for the longest time.
I’m just so happy about this.
It’s the first time I’ve seen a real improvement and reduction on my medication, after years of increasing it, changing it, trial and error. I’ve been dealing with anxiety and depression since I was 18. I was diagnosed and first medicated at 22. I’ve been through 2 psychiatrists, 5 therapists and I know 75% of antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anti anxiety pills on the market.
I wish I didn’t have so much information. But since I do, I need to make sure I share it with others. And I promise you I’ll do that. For those of you who are still struggling, I’ll share my detailed experience and do my best to help.
Today, I just want to tell you it’s possible to get better. I’m not cured and I don’t know when/if I’ll ever be, but I’m finally so much better.
Trust me, I have seen the darkest side of life. I’ve felt it. I’ve lived with a huge cloud over my head for years. I’ve been through life carrying a backpack full of rocks for way too long. I’ve hated myself, everyone else, life itself. Everything has seemed pointless. Everyone has looked like an enemy. Death has been a wish.
I know it’s difficult and sometimes unfair/hard to compare, but I can tell you I had one of the most serious and difficult cases of clinical depression. I know quite a few people who have suffered from depression and they all got better so much easily, faster, sooner. That was frustrating and I would get angry because I seemed to have it worse than everyone else. I actually did. Years of extreme stress, heartbreak, responsibilities, growing up too fast, taking care of others, being strong for them, a bad childhood, among other things had collapsed on me, so I was dealing with 20 something years worth of trauma, damage, exhaustion. I wasn’t having an episode of depression. I was having THE episode of depression I had been holding inside me forever. It hit me hard, with no mercy.
God knows how much I’ve been through because of my mental health.
God knows how much Rui has been through because of it.
That guy is a saint.
I don’t say this because I love him, I say this because I know him. He is a rock. He’ll take care of you, provide you with whatever you need, comfort you, be there for you emotionally, know how to handle an anxiety attack, do extensive research on all of your medications, make sure you take care of yourself, cook for you, clean for you, understand when you simply cannot get out of bed, cuddle you, give you hope, say you’re beautiful when you’ve put on 60 pounds, make you laugh when you really want to cry, protect you, tell you you’ll find the best possible doctor and care, no matter how much you’ll have to spend or how you’re going to find the money for, do his best to make you smile, be your shoulder to cry on, defend you, tell people who think “depression is in your head” they’re fucking idiots and ignorants who should go and get some information, be your mother’s best friend, your sister’s big brother, be there for your appointments, get you the things you like because they’ll make you a little happy, get really angry at you because you don’t eat properly, be your absolute best friend, caretaker, boyfriend, husband, lover, confidant, partner, fan, the one who makes up for whatever is missing.
I think everyone should have someone like Rui in their lives.
We’ve been through thick and thin and we’re still together. We’ve really been through some real “grown up” problems for the past 5 years we’ve been together. There was never cheating, jealousy, cellphone checking, lying, issues with exes. We’ve been dealing with real, hard, old married couple problems since we were about 22 and 22, up until now. I guess we’ve passed the test.
What I really want to say is, I’m not cured. I may never be. I don’t mind really, as long as I have the proper care. But today, finally, I can say that I am far BETTER. Better is a beautiful word. So I’m happy about better. Better is more than enough.
Thank you for everything, guys.
If you’re going through a similar journey, we’re together. Talk to me. Let me be there for you.
Daily Planner and Journal – 05.02.2018: Trying to bring it back (about 8 hours late) + weekend
Good afternoon guys,
How are you facing Monday?
It’s a hard one right?
- Hangover from drinking while watching Super Bowl?
- Depressed because of THAT This is Us episode?
- Shocked/ecstatic because Kylie Jenner has given birth?
- All of the above?
Right.
May your coffee be strong and your chocolate be plenty.
I’m actually fine. I don’t care for the Super Bowl, I haven’t watched THAT episode yet (Lord help me) and I’ve been googling “Kylie Jenner pregnant” every day since September, waiting for news so I’m pretty satisfied. I’m not joking about the google part.
I really want to go back to my early morning planning and before bed journaling and update on how my day went and how I tackled my to-do list. I know you guys enjoy it and I feel more organized when I do so.
I would like the planning to be published at about 8 a.m and the update to go up at about 8 p.m. it would be nice to have somewhat of a schedule. I hope I can pull it off.
About the weekend: I did nothing. I was expecting it so I am fine with it. I needed a break. For real.
I have this huge freelance writing project to finish until the end of the week so I’m working on that.
I’m so much better than last week, thankfully.
See you soon, guys.
❤️
About the weekend + the shitty week + heartbreak
Hey guys,
Happy Tuesday. Better than Monday right? Well, not for me. I’m having the shittiest week and yes, I know the whole week will be shitty and it’s only Tuesday.
I had THE WORST day yesterday. I can’t really get into details for privacy reasons (not mine, I’m not exactly a private person). Family issues just suck in general but even more so when someone you’re close to and someone you’ve known for your whole life and done EVERYTHING for, turns out to be very different than the person you thought you knew. Man, it hurts all over. I’ve cried my eyes out, missed work and am pretty sure I’m going to have a relapse. I thought I already knew all kinds of suffering and pain but, it turns out, there’s always a bigger, deeper one. Shit, how can I describe how much it hurts? I’m sure you all love someone with every fiber of your being. You know the feeling, right? Imagine you suddenly having reasons to doubt they love you as unconditionally as you love them. It’s life changing. It’s physically painful. They say you can’t break a broken heart but, trust me, you can. Over and over. I’m sorry I’m being so secretive, I know it’s annoying but I need to vent.
You know what’s funny? Even thought they have hurt you so deeply, you still feel bad for every little bit you might have hurt them. This person I’m talking about, I slapped them yesterday. Twice. Yes, me. I can be a bitch. They’ve hurt me so bad and I feel like the devil for those two slaps. I feel like I’ve slapped my soul. That’s how much I love them. Damn, I can’t seem to catch a fucking break.
Anyway, life goes on, I guess. I’m off to work now, there’s laundry to be done. I eat, shower, just like every day. It just hurts to work, eat and shower.
Let’s just get over the depressing and try to talk about normal stuff for a while, shall we? I’ll do a weekend to-do list update. Don’t expect much, we were pretty lazy.
1 PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND:
Things I must not forget:
• To drink my 1.5 to 2 l of water;
Yes.
• To eat my fruits and veggies;
Yes.
• To take my pills on time;
Yes.
• To make sure I take at least 10.000 steps. (I only aim for 5.000 on the days when I work out)
No.
• Remember to insert all of this information in my health app (including meals), which is the best thing I’ve been using ever. Lifesum
Yes.
• Go and get my eyebrows done (for crying out loud)
No.
• Cut my hair, my ends are very dry and thin.
No.
• Shaving. I’m in a public pool several times a week, they don’t need to endure hairy legs, armpits and lady bits. (I rhymed)
No.
Self-care things I would like to do:
• A green clay mask, as I haven’t done one in God knows how long.
No.
• Take 2 big nature walks with the mister and the little four-legged lady. (Probably not gonna happen, being honest here)
No.
• Do my favorite yoga routine before bed, I’ve been waking up about 3 times each night.
No.
• Do some kind of foot scrub.
No.
• Apply some clear nail polish on my nails so I won’t bite them.
No.
Things we actually need to do:
• Finish tidying up the house. We have moved the furniture we intended to, which means Rui’s desk is in the living room and I have an office space in our bedroom. Our former office is now a “closet” (Our wardrobe, shoes, bags, coats are in there) and a guest bedroom. When you make such drastic changes, objects need to be moved as well, so there are lots of clothes and random objects that need to be put away.
Kind of.
• Laundry. Besides our regular laundry, we have a few blankets, pillows and clothes for my pregnant friend that need to be washed, as well as a few sheets. We also have a ton to put away.
Yes.
• Clean the kitchen.
Kind of.
• Do some general cleaning around the house. (I’ll tell you what we got done when I do my update on Sunday)
Kind of.
• I need to move some of my plants inside because they don’t seem to like the cold and rain.
Yes.
• Rosa NEEDS to go to the vet.
No.
• We need to cook and prep for the week ahead.
Yes.
• I want to read some blogs.
Yes.
• I want to get my planner ready for the week (would you like to take a peek at my planner?)
No.
How was your weekend, people?
Hugs.
Chey.
Sort of Health Update – Anxiety and Depression
Hey everyone,
I have an hour and a half before I need to work so I thought I might drop a few updates in the form of random paragraphs, I guess. I haven’t really talked about my life, which I used to do every single day for many months. Speaking about months, this month my blog turns 1. What? How did that happen? I clearly remember the day I sat down an wrote my very first post, thinking no one would ever read it. How has it been a year already? My blog’s anniversary is on the 24th. What do you think I should do?
- Blog party?
- Massive giveaway?
- Re-post my favorite posts from this first year?
I just have no idea. I’ve done all of those in the past, to celebrate months and followers and all kinds of milestones and happy occasions. For my blog’s first anniversary I’m out of ideas so I could use a little help.
Anyway,
My anxiety and depression have had ups and downs. I’ve been doing well, most of the time and I do feel better. There were some moments when I had to deal with very complicated situations which caused some minor relapses.
Christmas was very hard. As you know, some of my family members are batshit crazy and that can be a problem. I think you may also know that my grandmother has dementia and, on Christmas eve, she didn’t remember who I was for the first time and was acting very confused in general, which left us heartbroken.
I take those things pretty hard and I’ve yet to go back to my “before Christmas” self. What does this mean for me? I’ve been sad, off-balance, nervous, stopped writing, reading and watching movies and shows. I prefer to listen to podcasts, they’re just easier.
Just before Christmas, when I was feeling really well, my doctor decided to increase my medication for some reason, which was a very bad idea. I was suddenly taking twice the dosage of Bupropion (300 mg), some crazy pill that was supposed to stop my hands from shaking (which I didn’t want to take because if I start taking medication to control my side effects from my other medication I’ll be eating pills instead of food pretty soon) but didn’t (I can’t remember the name) and this Topiromate to decrease my appetite.
Pretty soon I was feeling extremely weak, dizzy, nauseous and sleepy all the time, but especially after I took my medication. I was feeling very sick and kept waiting (too long) for it to go away. When it didn’t, I scheduled a doctor’s appointment and she decided some of them were lowering my blood pressure and causing my symptoms. I went back to taking only 150 g of Bupropion and I’m free of the one for the tremors. It took me just a few days to feel so much better.
I have no idea why she decided to increase my medication when I was feeling so well.
I’m trying to get back to where I was before all of this crap. Going to water aerobics classes, swimming, trying to establish a routine, trying not to care about stupid shit (very difficult for me) and such. I think I’m getting back on track and will be feeling like myself soon.
I guess that’s pretty much it, the short version.
How about you?
Any health issues lately? You can share, even if it’s just a nasty cold or a backache.
Talk to you soon, hopefully.
Happy New Year, Dear!! – First Time I Write More Than a Paragraph in a While
Hey everyone!!
How can it be 2018 already? Can someone please explain? I mean, 2017 was not cool at all so I’m very glad it went by so fast and all but, at the same time, I feel like the years just come and go too fast, which is something old people used to say so, I guess I’m old now? I’m actually lying. I already knew that when I bought a big set of pots and pans and was very happy and excited.
I honestly don’t even know what to write so I’ll ask you:
What would you like to read?
- A 2017 recap in a few categories?
- Plans for the new year?
- General life update?
- A few resolutions?
- Me going back to my daily posts and to-do lists?
Please share your opinion.
So, what have I been up to?
I’ve been very tired so I’ve been going to bed very early. Yesterday, Rui was home and I was done with work and some chores by 6 p.m and so I just went to bed. I fell asleep for a short nap and then decided I would listen to some podcasts. I’ve been obsessed with this podcast Thinking Sideways. It’s about unsolved mysteries and true crime, mostly, which is kind of my jam. I listen to a few more podcasts on the same topic, watch YouTube videos and documentaries about serial killers (I mean, Ed Kemper’s interview, I’m still digesting that one) and read books on the same subjects as well. I’ve been known to watch live autopsy videos.
I’m not a creep. I swear. At least not in that way. I’m just very interested in crime, criminology, psychology and psychiatry so it kind of makes sense to me. It feels like research. I learn so much and it’s pretty entertaining as well. No, I’m not scared of any of that. I can listen to the spookiest things and look at really traumatizing pictures while alone in my room, in the dark, having a snack lol
Rui thinks I’m nuts and wants nothing to do with it. He has a weak stomach for such things. Not me, though. I can see every kind of injury, disgusting or scary image or situation. Is that some kind of quality? Or something handy?
However, if someone runs over a dog or cat, I need to close my eyes. I would be unable to step out of the car if it happened to me. I’m pretty sure I would scream and cry my eyes out and never drive a car again.
Anyways, back to my sleeping routines.
I didn’t feel like having dinner so I got up for my pills and was in bed by 10 p.m. I must haven fallen asleep in just a few minutes. Then I woke up at 3.30 a.m (and went to the bathroom), 5.30 or 6.30 p.m, and was half asleep until I actually had to get up at 8 a.m. My goal is to be in bed around 8 or 9 p.m (I know, like a toddler).
I have chronic insomnia and must take my medication, which obviously makes me extremely sleepy. If I go to bed late, even around 11 p.m, I’m too sleepy the next morning and it’s very difficult to get up and go to work.
So, the plan is not going to bed at 8 and sleep for 12 hours, but going to bed at 8/9 p.m, which means taking my medication very early in the evening, which means waking up naturally, very early and having an easier morning. Today, I chose to go back to sleep at 6.30 a.m, but I was rested and would have been fine with getting up at that point. Even an hour earlier. Sounds like a good plan, doesn’t it?
Before going to sleep and usually before taking my pills and dropping dead, I read or listen to podcasts, audio-books and watch some videos on YouTube. It feels very cozy to get to bed early, with my space heater (Which I DON’T leave on during the night because it’s VERY DANGEROUS), my comfy bed and just do something relaxing.
Oh, it also cuts down on evening and late night snacking, which is a HUGE problem for me, as I tend to feel hungrier and need something sweet at night.
Well, my students will be here at 2.30 (in 45 minutes) and I want to go and get some coffee first, so I must say goodbye. (Yes, I still write my posts as they come and post them right way).
Please talk to me:
- What’s you bedtime routine like?
- What do you do before bed to relax?
- Do you listen to podcasts? Which ones?
- Tell me something weird about yourself. (please?)
“I’ve been away for 15 days” Update – Health 27.11.2017
Hey there everyone,
Do you still remember me? I know, I haven’t posted in about half a month.
I’ve been both busy and lazy and those are my reasons.
Since we haven’t talked for so long, I decided an update might be interesting, if you’re like me and like to know what people are up to. Or just so you know I’m not dead.
So, I’ll divide this update into categories, which will be published on different days.
Health:
- I’ve been mostly feeling well, when it comes to my mental health. A few things give me anxiety, especially the students, when they are being difficult, but that’s just normal, every day stress.
- I got the results for my CT scans and had an appointment with an orthopedist and my back are fine! The doctor I consulted before said it was really bad and that I should schedule an appointment with a neurosurgeon. Crazy woman. I don’t have any significant back problems, just bad posture, sitting for long hours and having weak back muscles. I haven’t had any complains since I began going to my water aerobics classes almost every day.
- I’ve been drinking a very healthy amount of water. I get to 2 l on most days and I can drink even more on others. I think this is actually causing 2 issues: 1) My liquid retention is bad. 2) I can’t seem to hold my pee. Oh yeah, I’m mentioning my urinary issues on the internet. Maybe some of you have been there? I suddenly feel a very strong urge to pee and feel like I’m almost peeing my pants, which does happen some times. I mean, I don’t pee my pants, I just let out a few drops. This is new to me and very strange. I’m 26. Isn’t that too young to be incontinent?
- My period was 48 days late. No, I’m NOT pregnant. No, I don’t have ANY health issues. It was just on vacation, I guess?
- I’ve been eating somewhat right and in small amounts. I write down everything I eat using an app and I don’t even get to 2000 calories most days and always get the “You’re not eating enough” notification. Yet, I’ve gained weight. I’m currently at 93.2 kg. Funny thing is I’ve been walking more than ever (aiming for at least 10.000 steps each day) and I’ve been doing water aerobics and swimming almost every day of the week. It is very strange and discouraging. Maybe it gets worse before it gets better?
I’ve been track every single thing health-wise. I use several apps. Do you have a food or exercise journal? Pedometer? Do you track your calories or sleep?
This app, Flo is just perfect for women. You can track your whole cycle, so you know when your period is coming or if you are ovulating (for those trying to get pregnant. There’s also a “pregnancy mode”), your cervical mucus, symptoms of PMS, you’re sexual activity (again, for those trying to get pregnant or if you just want to know what you’ve been up to), your weight, your sleep, your physical activity (through another app), your steps, your calorie intake (again, through another app), your weight and your water intake. There’s also a community, meaning users can actually comment on different articles and topics and share experiences and problems. It’s just a really good app and I recommend it for sure.
Now, tell me about your health:
Is everything okay?
Do you track your health data?
Do you have any good health tips?
Are you good at taking care of yourself?
Do share!!
Thank you so much for reading!
Daily Planner and Journal: 27.10.17 “Birthday Party Eve” Edition
Good morning dearest friends,
It’s still 10.30 a.m but I feel like it’s already afternoon. I woke up early because Rui decided to go for a run in the morning instead of going after work. He has taken up running about 2 months ago, maybe more and he’s currently doing 12 km every other day or every 2 days. He loves it and I’m very proud of him.
Anyway, I woke up when his alarm went off at 6.45. He told me he was going for a run (he had told me but I don’t even remember my own name when I wake up in the morning so…) and that I could sleep for another hour or so, which I did. It was a terrible mistake because then I woke up after 8 and was feeling extremely sleepy. I had to swallow an espresso as soon as I got up, otherwise I would be sleep walking.
We have been pretty tired, especially me. I think it is because of my medicine and because I was at home for 6 months. I get up early and then, by 8/9 p.m I’m dead. Really. I can’t do much once I get home from work.
I thought I would watch an episode of this GREAT new show I’ve discovered Mindhunter, which I really want to watch, but I was just so exhausted. I ate some dinner and went straight to bed. We were in bed at 10.45 p.m, which means we’re definitely old people now. I am not happy about 26 at all. It just feels so… close to 30. So late 20’s. Sometimes I think I’m still 21.
Anyway, enough with the whining.
I really want to tell you about this awesome show:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindhunter_(TV_series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5290382/
Set in 1977 – in the early days of criminal psychology and criminal profiling at the Federal Bureau of Investigation[4] – Mindhunter revolves around FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), who interview imprisoned serial killers in order to understand how such criminals think and apply this knowledge to solving ongoing cases.
I mean… Need I say more?
I’m fascinated by serial killers, especially American ones. I don’t mean fascinated in the sense of “Oh sir, I love your work. You’re definitely extremely talented”, but I’m very interested in reading about them, as well as watching documentaries and movies. Zodiac is my favorite because we have yet to know who the fuck he was, which makes me both curious and angry. Pretty smart and sneaky bastard.
Anyway, the show is already in its second season but I had never heard about it until now. I can’t ever remember how I came to know it but I was immediately intrigued. The first season deals with Edmund Kemper, Jerry Brudos, Richard Speck, Dennis Rader and Monte Rissell which are, apparently, famous serial killers who I had never heard about. My knowledge only goes as far as The Zodiac, Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy and that’s pretty much it, which makes me even more curious about the series. Second season will deal with the Atlanta child murders, unknown to me as well.
Have you heard about this show?
Have you watched it?
Are you interested in the plot?
I’m writing this post at a coffee shop, while I wait to pick up a package from the post office. Something I bought online and which was to big for my mailbox.
There’s a strike going on so the kids don’t have school today, which means they come to us earlier, after 2.30 p.m. My colleague is going to be late so I have to take her place and start at 2.30 p.m intead of 5 p.m. I’m with them until 7 p.m and then I have to replace my boss and take a 10th grader, because she has a meeting. I’ll be off at 8 p.m. I was supposed to work from 5 p.m to 7 p.m but I’m filling in for 2 people so I’m working a few more hours. I never refuse extra work and I’m always willing to replace or change shifts with a colleague.
Tomorrow I have to wake up early and organize my party. We have to clean up the house and the patio and get the food ready. Our guests are coming after 5 so we have plenty of time. Rui’s brother is staying with us today, which means an extra set of hands. About 15 people are coming. We’ll have a barbecue and snacks, as well as dessert and cake. It should be fun.
I am supposed to take a cake to work today and I really wanted to bake one but I was so tired after my scans yesterday, mainly because of my anxiety, so I’m buying one and calling it a day. We’re still baking one for tomorrow.
I bought a couple of plant pots because some of my plants need a bigger one and I have also been to the post office to (finally) send some postcards. I went by this place to ask about a few sewing workshops to and then I came to the cafe for breakfast which I hadn’t had because I didn’t have any milk at home.
The CT scans and X-ray were fine, not as bad as I was expecting but still kind of hard on my anxiety. I have this weird phobia about anything that involves radiation and cameras. I was going through a machine that was sending the equivalent of 100 X-rays into my body and that made me extremely nervous and freaked out.
My eyelids were shaking so bad, which I thought was happening because of the machine. I asked the technician about it and she said it was not possible because we cannot feel radiation at all. I realized it was my nerves. I was so anxious and nervous that I couldn’t keep my eyes shut because my lids were shaking like crazy. It’s that bad. The fact that I knew there was a camera above me and that the lady could see me didn’t help either. Radiation and cameras together. Shit.
I was already nervous before I even entered the room because there were so many doors along the hall with “danger, radiation” signs, which is enough to put me on edge. Really weird, right? I know. It’s done now so it’s fine.
I think I don’t have anything else to tell you now, so I’ll go and get my package from the post office. Then I need to take the bus and stop to buy a cake somewhere.
See you soon.
Daily Planner and Journal – 19.10.17 “What I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong + Ode to my dry shampoo” edition
Hi everyone,
I’m coming to you a bit later today, for no special reason. I have just been doing other things this morning. Plus, I have already posted my 7th Student Wisdom post a couple of hours ago. Many readers and friends have told me how much they enjoy this series and how it makes them laugh every time. Since the kids and their crazy minds are not going anywhere and because they are very good at providing wise material each they, I will keep these coming for sure. I really love them too. I think of them as a little record of my daily classes as well.
First of all, and because I have forgotten about it several times, I need to tell you about my new dry shampoo. This is not a sponsored post at all because 1. I’m not that famous and 2. I’m unfortunately not getting any free stuff and 3. I’m no beauty blogger at all.
My can says “Britain’s nº1” so many of you probably know this product already but, because I live in Portugal a cage, I had never seen it until now. I found it at the grocery store for 3 something because it was 30% of, I think. Yes, I should know exactly how much it cost and the exact discount and all but, as I’ve mentioned, I’m no beauty blogger. I do have the receipt so I can find out if it comes to that.
Why do I love this product?
Well, when I first heard about dry shampoo I was pretty confused. Dry? I mean, how does it make any foam? Duh…
Anyway, I bought my first can of dry shampoo, after actually realizing what it was and reading about it on several blogs and websites. It was something fairly new here (at least to my knowledge) and I could only find one brand. If I remember it correctly I think it was either Syoss or Tresemmé. It was kind of expensive for the amount of product. I paid about €5, I think and it didn’t even last a month.
I know what you’re thinking: “you should wash your hair more often you dirty pig” and I can say, in my defense, that I was THEN washing my hair every other day and using it only on day 2. Still, it was kind of expensive. I fell in love with it but can’t remember if it got discontinued or if I gave up on it. I have recently been looking for some dry shampoo (because I’m a dirty, dirty pig) and couldn’t find any options so maybe there aren’t that many to be found at grocery stores. I decided I would buy baby talc, since I had read about using it as a cheaper (and cancerous) option. The day after I bought said carcinogen, I found this lovely product.
Finally… (finally) why do I love this product:
- It smells amazingly. The scent is “floral and flirty” which describes me perfectly. Not. I have yet to find out what flirty smells like as I can only identify the floral part.
- I am on DAY 4 of not washing my hair (because I’m a dirty, dir… you know) and it looks presentable. Bonus points because I didn’t even apply it today. That’s right, I used it yesterday and my hair looks rather clean(ish) today. Of course I must wear it on a ponytail because my hair gets all sorts of wacky if I brush it while dry and you have to brush it in order to get rid of the dry shampoo powder.
It works well (when it comes to wackiness) if I use the dry shampoo before bed, brush it, wet it a little but (NOT close to the roots) and sleep with it on a braid. Next day my hair is clean and cute enough to wear down.
So, how many times a week do I wash my hair with actual water?
I read on someone’s blog (from blogger not WordPress so not one of our million family members) that they only wash their hair once a week. That’s my dream. Less hassle, less time in the shower, less hair damage. I washed my hair on Monday morning so I’m actually dumb and this is not day 4 but 3. I would be very happy if I could wash my hair on Sunday night and never again (for the week, not in life). That would be really awesome. Can it hold that long?
Would you like me to try it and post pictures of my hair each day?
I’m probably try it anyway so I might as well take pictures and let you know, right?
Sorry, for wasting exactly 785 words on hair. Moving on.
As the title of this post suggests, I decided I would give you a list of the things I have been doing right and the things I have been doing wrong, meaning where I have improved and where I’ve been a bad, bad girl.
I’ve just remembered I never told you about my last Psychiatrist’s appointment which is stupid because I kind of started this blog to talk about my mental health and all that.
My last appointment went really well and my doctor was very happy about my improvements. I do feel SO MUCH BETTER. I have been in a very dark, deep place. More than once. More than twice. Sometimes for months, even years. I now feel better than I have felt in a long time. Sure, I had moments of improvement, excitement and I thought I was cured. Then I had relapses and realized depression (bad, though, deep clinical depression) is not “curable”. If you have it in your genes (I do) and if you have had it more than once and for such a long time, it is probably something you will have to live with for a long time/ever. That and the fact that I have been diagnosed as bipolar type 2, even though we are not 100% sure about it, have made me think of my depression as alcoholism, for example. Once you become an alcoholic, you are always an alcoholic. You need to monitor your addiction and to be very careful about your health and mental space.
That’s what I need to do. Take care of myself, body and mind, identify triggers and stay away from them, take care of small symptoms before they become and actual crisis and manage (as much as I can) stress, emotions, pressure, tiredness and my workaholic tendencies. I also need to make sure I do exactly as I am told, when it comes to medicine, keeping appointments and all of those things that are the foundations of my mental well-being.
So basically I’m doing better than I have in years, my doctor is pretty happy about it, people are starting to notice my improvement and I’m down half a pill a pill each day (it’s something!!).
What I’m doing right:
- I’m never late nowadays. (After a very shameful past)
- I go to bed early most days (around 11)
- I wake up early and without a fuss
- I’m taking better care of my skin (just my face but better than nothing)
- I’m blogging every day (this week)
- I’m more present on social media, posting something every day and trying to keep up with everyone a bit
- Packing everything I need for the day (not forgetting my phone or keys or charger)
- I’m keeping up with my doctor’s appointments and health checks
- My plants are all alive
- I haven’t had as many nightmares
- I have been reading more
- I have listened to music almost every day
- I have been learning and telling more jokes
- I have been having breakfast every single day
What I’m doing wrong:
- I’m not drinking as much water as I was in the Summer. I’m obviously not as thirsty in when the weather is colder but my body needs it just the same.
- I’m not exercising or doing my yoga at all.
- I haven’t been writing on my planner as I used to, which is not that great since I have the memory of a fish with Alzheimer’s.
- My house looks like I have 5 kids and 3 dogs. There are clothes everywhere, papers everywhere, shoes all over, I need to clean ASAP
- I haven’t been keeping up with
the Kardashiansyour blogs - I don’t talk to friends and family as much as I would like to
- I’m bad at answering: comments, text messages, emails, whatsapp, messenger, calls and carrier pigeons
- I bite my nails all the time
To-do list update: (There won’t be one today because it’s already 4 p.m)
TO-DO LIST – 18/10/2017
- Tell my sister about the skin care products I no longer use and am passing on to her. I want to get rid of it and they will be good for her skin. There’s an eye cream, a day cream with 20 SPF (her skin is a few tones darker than mine so 20 is enough for her), a night cream which is extremely moisturizing (she has very dry skin), a cleanser and some micellar water. She’s basically winning the lottery lol; – Forgot!!
- Show my students how angry I am and be mean for a few days, so they can see how their actions have consequences. The whole class is paying for the bad behavior because, when you are part of a group, everyone’s actions affect the whole group. Maybe they’ll learn something from this; – Oh yes. I was Professor Bitch for the day!
- Write a second article for the same client as yesterday; – Not yet.
- Answer a few customers (about the things I sell) – I answered to about…1.
- Please, please, please let me have the strength to clean my bathroom; – HAHAHA
- Read a few blogs and answer comments. Seriously! – I did. About 10? Maybe not.
- Decide if I’ll make another dental appointment. If I didn’t like the dentist so much I would never go back there, but she is the best doctor I have ever met (when it comes to dentists); – I’ll go back but I’m being grumpy and waiting to schedule.
- Get my umbrella from the garage because it’s raining I might need it; – Still raining. Never thought about the damn umbrella again…
- Change our sheets; – …
- Work from 2.30 p.m to 6 p.m; – Of course!!
- Trim the my hair ends, fix my eyebrows a little, maybe wax? – I did fix my eyebrows a little. Not enough.
I’m already at over 1700 words so I’m just discreetly leaving the room. Goodbye. Love. x
Pink for Days 