Your Story Isn't Over Yet

Originally I was going to link up with Andrea today for the Fall Fashion Frenzy.  The theme this week is favorite jeans & I am that psychopath that lives in jeans.  Like I have slept in jeans & will relax on the couch in jeans.  I. LOVE. JEANS!  However, I didn't really have anything prepared, and even though I did take a picture in my favorite jeans this morning, I still wasn't motivated to create a whole post about it.  You should definitely still check out Andrea's post & The Blended Blog link-up because again, jeans are life!

For the record my favorite pair of jeans are Ariat brand that I got on major sale at Cavenders.  They're super comfy, boot cut, & make my butt look great.

Short story long I decided I just wasn't going to post today because I only had a half ass post about jeans.  But then I was reminded on Instagram that it was World Mental Health today & I was reminded about M's post about how she does self care & Teh Megan's post about accepting your struggle & I wanted to share a little as well.

I try to keep it pretty real on here on a regular basis so it's no secret that a couple weeks ago I started seeing a therapist.  She is awesome.  I have struggled with anxiety since at least high school if not longer.  High school is just when it became more apparent.  There was a point in college, my sophomore year when I was living with an ex-boyfriend, when it got really bad.  I had contemplated off & on since then about going to see someone.  That's nearly a decade of contemplating.  I've always been able to calm myself down eventually though & so I never went in.  Finally this year I decided what the hell.  I wanted/needed to talk to someone because I have been feeling extra stuck.  I don't know where I want to live, I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, I'm not hating my life but I'm not loving it either.  When it comes to the major things I was/am feeling like I'm just going through the motions.  I go to work because I have to & there are parts/people I like but I certainly don't love it.  I live where I live because it's cheap & a nice area but it's not even remotely the type of place I'd like to be.  So I decided I needed help talking through all of my options.  Staying in education, getting out of education.  Staying in my district, going to a new district.  Staying in the DFW area or going back to Houston.  Staying in Texas or going back to MN.  There are pros & cons to all of them and my inability to make a decision had been making my anxiety go bonkers.

So after a decade plus of taking care of my anxiety on my own, here are some of my favorite ways to decompress & bring myself back down to Earth:

-Listen to music, LOUD

-Dance around my apartment like a crazy person...bonus points if Nash is willing to dance with me

-Nash cuddles

-Getting in my car and driving... on the open road (traffic just makes me stabby)

-Windows down, music up

-Closing my eyes & breathing

-Calling my mama or daddy

-Going for a walk

-Writing

-Planning things.  It doesn't matter what (a hypothetical trip, different career paths, how to make a move work... planning is my jam)

-Get shit done.  AKA distract myself by being productive (dishes, laundry, cleaning)

-Drink coffee or tea