The End Of Summer

So far, September is seeming to be much less eventful than August was. I need to buckle down and get myself back into some sort of routine though. The whole month of August was nuts and routine was non-existent. But without it, I feel like I’m just aimlessly seeking out the next thing to do, not really accomplishing anything at all. I started this blog around the same time life threw me a few curve balls and I haven’t been able to put much time into writing here but hopefully that will change now.

August was eventful, to say the least. There’s been very little downtime as we’ve been really busy with various activities and events.  As someone who deals with fairly intense anxiety on a regular basis, I’m feeling quite overwhelmed with everything now. Its like everything that’s been happening the past few weeks just hit me full force this weekend and I feel like I’ve had the wind knocked out of me. I’d like to lock myself in a cool, dark, room so that I can just sleep for a while. My brain is buzzing and I need everything to just stop for a few minutes. Its so loud inside my head. Its such a strange feeling and rather difficult to describe. I imagine that there’s an electric current running through my veins, causing my insides to vibrate, and it brings with it a level of physical pain.

Speaking of pain, I’m still trying to heal from a wrist injury, that resulted from a careless move on my part. Typing with 2 fingers has become a new skill of mine. As a left arm amputee, my right hand is a part of me that I can’t risk having trouble with. That’s the last thing I need!

In August I also learned that I had a minor heart attack. Question  … how does one have a heart attack, even a minor one, and not know it?? Not sure, but apparently I did. The dr himself even found this mind boggling. He was a nice guy though. So that was a relief. I have a hard time with doctors. Pretty much anything medical, really. Which tends to make things complicated because the past couple of years I have had more than my fair share of dealings with medical practitioners. This heart attack thing has me reeling though. They are saying that nothing actually appears wrong with my heart and that it was brought on by a combination of intense anxiety and an electrolyte imbalance. When you have an eating disorder you know that there are dangers associated but you don’t actually think any of it will happen. Until it does. Shit becomes real then.

There have been lots of changes in my life this summer and it doesn’t take much to throw me out of my  routine. Even the slightest shift in plans often throws me off. I’m fairly positive though that despite a few bad decisions and the use of some old, negative coping skills (hence my injured wrist) I feel like I’ve handled things fairly well. And the highlight in August was an opportunity to go on vacation for a week … and it was pure bliss!

We drove east for 7 hours, out to the Burin Peninsula, to a place called Golden Sands Resort. We rented a cabin there for the week. During our days there we were able to visit 7 different towns and in each place we explored all that the town had to offer. We did everything from hiking trails and museums to sitting on the beach and watching the sunset. We visited 5 lighthouses and ate Newfoundland’s #1 cheesecake (and iced coffee of course!) in the most adorable little coffee shop I’ve ever seen. It was the highlight of not just the summer, but of my entire year.

So as you can see, August was a bit hectic. I’m grateful for this new month but at the same time I feel a little sad. The hours of sunlight are decreasing and the evening temperatures are getting cooler. Fall is coming, which brings us even closer to winter. The very thought of the dark days of winter makes me feel sick. But right now it is September and I’m going to make the most of every bit of it!

The Fighter Inside Of You

People don’t realize how much courage it takes to keep yourself from sinking into the dark pit of self hatred and negativity. To mentally remove yourself from a painful situation. To pick up all of your pieces from the ground, trusting that this process will eventually heal your wounds.

I know you’re feeling drained and exhausted right now, but you have to keep believing that things are going to get better.

I know you’re soul is tired, you’re mentally drained, and emotionally you feel broken, but the fact that you’re still breathing says a lot about that fighter inside of you. She’s still in there.

You’re allowed to be tired, but you must learn how to rest without giving up. You’re a work in progress and you have a future waiting for you.

So please hold on for just a little bit longer. I know you can do this!

Reset and Recharge

You must understand that sometimes there will be days that you’re not in the mood to talk to anyone, even if it’s your family and your closest friends.

You will want to ignore talking in person, on phone calls, on text msgs, even on social media.

Not because you don’t care and not because you’re in a bad mood either but because sometimes your mind and body will just crave silence.
Sometimes, your soul will need silence for you to figure things out.

I want you to know that if you find yourself spacing out and distancing yourself from everyone it doesn’t mean that you’re a bad or mean person. You’re a human and it’s okay if you have a meltdown. Life can be a lot and sometimes it just becomes too much. You don’t owe anyone any explanations for choosing to prioritize what your soul needs and deserves.

Do what you have to do to reset and recharge then get back up and go again.

We got this!

These Voices In My Head

I wrap the blanket tighter around my chest
And whisper to myself …
I am strong
I am beautiful

I dream of the woman I wish I could be
Strong and confident
Happy and …
Free

I don’t recognize myself today
This person in the mirror staring back at me …
Where did she come from?
Is that …
Me?!

I’m fighting voices in my head
Telling me that I’m not enough
I’m not pretty, and I’m broken
I’m not worthy of love
The voices in my head are telling me
To give up

But I keep fighting.

Words …
They can cut so deep
Why do I care so much what people think?
I wonder who I’d be if I didn’t have these insecurities
I don’t know what to think
Losing control of reality

Fighting voices in my head
Telling me that I’m not enough
I’m not pretty and I’m broken
I’m not worthy of love
These voices in my head
Shouting at me to give up

Silently I scream
Stop it!
I can’t take another minute
Going crazy with all this chaos

I tell my head to stop
And listen to my heart
And my heart says …

I’m DONE
With those voices in my head
I KNOW that I am enough
I am pretty, I’m not broken
I AM worthy of love

Time to give it up
Voices in my head …
Just shut up.

I am strong

Anxious

Throw the covers over my head
Finding comfort in my own bed
Staring at a screen light
Looking at the highlights of everybody’s good life
Reminding me of what I don’t have
Second guessing who I really am
Maybe I should give up,
Will I ever measure up
I don’t think I’m good enough

Pressure building, body shaking
I can’t take it, I can’t take it
Feel the tension, pushing pulling
I can’t fight it, I can’t fight it

I don’t wanna live my life like this …
Anxious.
I gotta lot of good in me to give
But I’m anxious.
So many things I know I miss
Cause I’m anxious.
I wish I could shake this
I don’t wanna be anxious

Devil’s running around my mind
Why do I let myself believe the lies
It’s like I’m his playground,
Push me in the background, and I shut the world out

I wish I could shake this
I don’t wanna be anxious

This is my confession
I’m coming out of hiding
Can’t keep living like this
I’m coming out of hiding
Cause I don’t wanna live my life like this …

Anxious.