Mental Health

  • The Under-Qualified But Overly Opinionated Weirdo’s Guide To Finding Happiness When Life’s Lemons Bury You: Chapter 2

    I could just be rambling and making no sense at all…. I always wonder when about this sort of thing when I write. Please understand that this is the very first draft and completely unedited. Chapter 2 The Book is Always Better Than The Movie Ever wonder why, with very few exceptions, the book is always better than the movie? The easiest explanation is that you’re comparing apples to oranges. Books are written to be read and enjoyed as a reading experience, and that’s hard to transfer to a different medium. Imagine taking a painting and trying to turn it into a sculpture (or vice versa). Now, it might turn…

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  • The Under-Qualified But Overly Opinionated Weirdo’s Guide To Finding Happiness When Life’s Lemons Bury You: Chapter 1

    I know you all were just waiting for me to start another book before my others are finished, but here we go anyway…. I don’t know much, but there are a few things I’ve learned so far. Please understand that this is the very first draft and completely unedited. Chapter 1 Diagnosing Your Problems Life isn’t exactly like a box of chocolates. Sure, you never know what you’re gonna get, but in many ways, if you’re paying attention, you can often predict exactly what you’re gonna get. No, I’m not saying you can predict the future or know everything that’s going to happen in your life, but, generally speaking, life…

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  • That Time We Learned How to Make Sourdough Bread From Scratch

    My son and I joined master chef Ron Tressler in his home kitchen/YouTube studio to learn how to make sourdough bread from scratch!  My mom’s Uncle Edwin stole a starter (a family secret) from either my great-grandma or her sister-in-law and took it to The Nugget Casino in Sparks (Reno), where they used it for YEARS (maybe even still do today, I don’t know). It was a huge family controversy!  This sweeeet loaf of sourdough bread is long gone, but it was delicious!  I’ve always been intimidated by anything labeled “artisan.” including bread. I never though I’d be able to make it in my own home. I’d heard of friends making Amish…

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  • Laura Watkins and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Frustrating Day

    It’s hard to be patient with myself. With my body that doesn’t let me do what I want. With my mind that feels so broken. Like today. I wanted to go to church on Easter Sunday with my family. I tried preparing and planning ahead so kids would know the expectations and not fight me, so we’d all be showered and have clean clothes and not have to rush around stressed at the last minute or be late. But, my brain being what it is… went into manic mode yesterday. I imagine it’s a lot like what a ton of caffeine does to most people. I was speaking really fast…

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  • Well-Being Challenge Giveaway

    Our 30 Day Well-Being Challenge is at 20 days and going strong! Enter giveaway here or at the end of this post. Since we started our challenge on July 4th, we’ve seen some great things. Read more about the challenge here. Participants have reported in daily on Facebook with at least one thing they did to improve their well-being. There’s been a huge variety of activities—focusing on physical, mental, and spiritual health. One of the most rewarding parts of this 30 Day Well-Being Challenge has been watching everybody come together as a community to encourage and support each other! The Watchers Series​by Deirdra Eden Author Deirdra Eden has been a close friend and mentor for more than 10 years. I’ve always…

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  • 30 Day Well-being Challenge

    This last year has been hard on everyone. Covid just plain sucked. BUT it also became a catalyst for many people to make positive changes in their lives, like focusing more on family and self-care. I’ve spent a lot of time lately trying to improve my family’s overall well-being, and I’ve learned that if I don’t start improving my own well-being, it all comes to nothing.   So, I’ve tried to pay more attention to my needs and my own self-care. To watch for warning signs of burnout, take time out when I need it, and give myself permission to take care of myself. I’ve always been the last person I…

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  • 30 Day Well-being Challenge

    This last year has been hard on everyone. Covid just plain sucked. BUT it also became a catalyst for many people to make positive changes in their lives, like focusing more on family and self-care. I’ve spent a lot of time lately trying to improve my family’s overall well-being, and I’ve learned that if I don’t start improving my own well-being, it all comes to nothing.   So, I’ve tried to pay more attention to my needs and my own self-care. To watch for warning signs of burnout, take time out when I need it, and give myself permission to take care of myself. I’ve always been the last person I…

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  • Depression, Anxiety, Meds, and Hope

    Finding the right medicine for depression and anxiety is awful! I wish there was a better process than trial and error. I knew going into this that there would be bad side effects, I’ve tried this MANY times before (which is why I put it off for so long). But when I started Wellbutrin, a miracle happened! I started to have energy again. I’d been convinced that my body was just too overweight and unhealthy to be able to do all but the smallest amount of physical activity. My mind has been sluggish, my ADHD out of control, and I’m just exhausted all the time. But shortly after taking Wellbutrin…

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