ohhow-original

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morning ladies, your inspiration for the week is this: stop putting lol at the ends of sentences to “soften” them. if you felt the need to be a sassy asshole just be a sassy asshole, they probably deserve it

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“Make sure you don’t start seeing yourself through the eyes of those who don’t value you. Know your worth even if they don’t.”

— Thema Davis

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It’s been a long road, but I’ve made substantial progress.  Here are the top five things I did to make my life better.

5. Taking time off from work

I was told not to work by my first psychiatrist. She thought it was unsafe for me and would hinder my treatment as well as recovery.  Well I thought this was just absurd - how would I be able to live?  ….I moved out of my apartment, back in with my mom, and took two or three months off from work.  I started back to miniscule, punch in punch out, part time work, and I did that for about a year.  THE BEST THING EVER. I was able to focus on me and my routine and really nail down my stressors and triggers.  I also began to explore and develop coping mechanisms and new hobbies. (This is where I learned to be frugal and how to better budget money.)

4. I ended negative relationships, and I built positive ones.

No one wants to hear that their boyfriend of three years is causing more harm than good.  Sometimes, though, it’s a reality and a fact you need to face.  This situation is not just for romantic relationships, though; It pertains to friendships, family members, and working relationships.  Take a step back and REALLY evaluate your relationships. Eliminate those that are not supportive of your decisions and those that result in negative behaviors and feelings.  Build relationships, current or new, that are helpful, supportive, motivating and understanding.

3. I rescued a sick dog.

There’s a whole story behind my dog. The jist of it though: He was sick, I was sick, and we both needed healing. I had the time to care for an animal, and I needed company.  I rescued this dog, and because of his needs I developed a sense of routine.  He needs a routine, so do I.  He needs exercise, so do I.  He needs socialization, so do I.  I’m sad, he knows and he’ll lay with me.  Besides that, what dog licking your face or wagging his tail ISN’T going to make you smile.  The best part of this situation is the following: I saw him transform into a healthy dog because of the care that I did for him. I saw progress, I saw a positive outcome and I made a difference in this being’s life.  He gives me something to live for every day even if a person doesn’t.

**BEFORE you do this, do your research, PLEASE. For the sake of the dog and for yourself. You don’t want to suffer, and you don’t want the animal to suffer.**

2. I started exercising.

This doesn’t mean go out and get a gym membership.  Having a dog assisted me in this, we started going on fifteen minute walks almost every day.  It eventually turned into twenty, thirty, sixty, and sometimes even two hour adventures.  I also did some yoga every once in awhile.  Exercise releases dopamine and serotonin which are directly related to depression and anxiety.  I always liked, when weather and time permitted, finding a good trail to go out on.  Like I’ve said before, just THIRTY minutes a week in a park setting helps reduce depression.  If you don’t have this available to you, find a YouTube channel and start there.  Ten minutes a day makes a difference in how you feel.  I promise, just keep with it!

1. I accepted my diagnosis.

This, by far, was the hardest thing I did.  It’s now January of 2017, I was diagnosed in April of 2015 with Bipolar and in 2006 with anxiety and depression.  I spent a long time in the mindset that I was defined by these diagnoses, and I lost myself because of this.  Dwelling in your diagnosis can and will make things worse.  Mental illness can be an asset to your personality.  Figure out why your diagnosis makes you a better person, and build on that to help you overcome and accept who you are.

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This song is sad and beautiful. #NowPlaying Where Love Dies by Mike Mains & The Branches

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#NowPlaying More Than Life by Whitley

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#NowPlaying I Don't Mind by Defeater

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#NowPlaying Closer by A Story Told

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It's whatever as long as we stick together This shit's forever, above us there's nothin' better

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@joshrichards182 this is the song i was talking about the other day, duhh. #NowPlaying Dilemma by Nelly

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#NowPlaying The Place You Love by Have Mercy

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#NowPlaying One Year, Six Months by Yellowcard

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#NowPlaying Don't Cry Out by Shiny Toy Guns

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#NowPlaying Hum by Tigers Jaw

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you are perfection all the way down #NowPlaying Direction by Mat Kerekes

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#NowPlaying Springtime Out The Van Window by Anthony Green