Healing through art & therapy! I used to be depressed and codependent with very low self worth and many unhealthy habits. But several years ago I started the healing process and am sharing what I learned with gratitude and hope for each of us. Peace & hugs, Leah
I said these words to myself for most of my life. My self hate was learned from bullies at school, fashion magazines, TV and the internet.
Luckily as I reached out of my comfort zone and sought help for depression, I found positive messages and was able to cultivate a sense of self-respect.
I slowly escaped from the idea that I needed makeup or a perfect body to be considered beautiful.
I chose to change my thoughts from seeing myself as a failure, to a risk taker.
It took time, but I finally love myself. Despite the occasional bad day, I refuse to return to a world of self-hate.
There is so much emphasis on looking “ideal” and being “perfect”. Let’s start a revolution of self-love and self-acceptance.
When I think negative thoughts about my self I can choose to change it up.
I am beautiful because…
I love my…
My value is based on my…
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Need more support? Listen to my conversation about healing from depression with the talented Deb Bailey on Women Entrepreneurs Radio.
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Struggling with depression? Check out my NEW BOOK.
Grief is a powerful transformation. Losing our loved ones to death changes our life.
That person is no longer there, our plans together, our interactions and the future we saw with each other are gone.
All the times I’ve experienced grief have been different. Some times have been similar, but my life has changed in varying degrees. Friends and family that were such a presence in my life have left me with voids. Make no mistake, for the most part, these are sad, lonely voids. However, they’ve also given me inspiration to live more profoundly, in a way that resonates with me, not with expectations I had or that society portrays. Each day I am present to this inspiration is a day where I feel myself growing into the most perfectly imperfectly person.
My life has been transformed by grief so often. So, while I’m not completely comfortable with death, I am less afraid. I’ve become less worried about dying. With this new strength, I can honestly tell my abuela that when she’s ready to go I will be ready to let her go. Grief is still painful, but in a way I know what to expect. And yes this makes it a little easier, not easy, but easier.
Today would be my mothers birthday. We would celebrate with something fun like dancing or cake at the beach for sunset. Yet while I do feel sadness, my overwhelming emotion is appreciation for the beautiful friends and family I’ve seen and talked to today.
For a while now I have been working on a book about grief. This experience has opened my heart to just how much my life has transformed from grief. Grief is a powerful gift, but truthfully I’d return it for my deceased family and friends to be alive and dancing with me again.
Any thoughts on grief? Has your life been transformed? Are you caring for someone who is terminal? Or are you more comfortable to ignore the idea of grief all together?
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“D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression is available trough Amazon as both an e-book and a paperback. This is not my first book, but it is my most personal. I share my struggles and pain honestly. Openly and honestly sharing healing is my gift to the world. With 1 in 4 people in the USA suffering from mental illness I hope my story will help others to start their own journey to better health. Unlike a broken bone which heals in a matter of weeks or months, healing mental illness takes much more time and a whole lot of self-love.
If you’re suffering from depression I strongly encourage you to seek help. If you can’t afford a therapist find a supportive mentor, teacher or healer who can help you discover inner peace. Healing is possible IF you are open and willing to commit to a self-care plan. You’re life only has value if you decide it does.
And it’s okay to stumble and fall along the way. Healing takes time so BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF!
A list of hilarious things to do when you’re ready to write a novel. Must heed advice from the talented J.A. Allen, (https://jaallenauthor.com) “Rip the third copy of your idea into five perfectly even parts and mail a piece to Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Mary Poppins, and just for kicks, one to Satan himself.”
It happens all the time. People read a crappynovel and think, hey, I can do better than that. A fraction of those people have an idea for aplot that potential readers might find interesting—if it’s raining. And a Tuesday. Because people love reading on Tuesdays, especially if it’s less than seventy degrees and the wind is coming from due north.
A fraction of that fraction of would-be authors decide to sit down and plot the idea out. A fraction of that fraction of that fraction is able to fend off the inevitable self-doubt monsters whispering that the book is going to suck, and churn out a reasonable first draft. And,a fraction of that fraction of that fraction, of THAT fraction is able to outlast the procrastinatory distractions offered by the interwebs, members of their real-life family, and pesky employment obligations to COMPLETE a (somewhat) viable book.
“Writing isn’t just being creative, it’s healing and opening.”
Writing my book wasn’t easy. Sharing what had always felt so shameful was scary. Even so, I came to a point where I stopped feeling shameful and started understanding that depression is just as important as any serious illness. Suddenly I realized I was no longer a victim. I was a survivor.
Depression can take your life. Indeed it took over 17 years of my life. People around the world don’t survive. People I love didn’t survive. We are ignoring a world of inner pain, like we ignore a lot of important aspects of our world.
One of the ways I survive is through writing. As long as I’m able, I will write. Even if I’m sitting on the sidewalk with nothing but a marker and a piece of cardboard I will write.
I’m already working on my next book, a different kind of book, but also one that will hopefully help others. Creating this book helped me and creating my new book is helping me. Writing isn’t just being creative, it’s healing and opening. Writing is good for our brains, good for our hearts. Expressing our feelings is a gift to the world. Holding in how we honestly feel is a tear in the world.
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I published through Amazon so it’s available as both an e-book and a paperback. This is not my first book, but it is my most personal. I share my struggles and pain honestly. Openly and honestly sharing healing is my gift to the world. With 1 in 4 people in the USA suffering from mental illness I hope my story will help others to start their own journey to better health. Unlike a broken bone which heals in a matter of weeks or months, healing mental illness takes much more time and a whole lot of self-love.
If you’re suffering from depression I strongly encourage you to seek help. If you can’t afford a therapist find a supportive mentor, teacher or healer who can help you discover inner peace. Healing is possible IF you are open and willing to commit to a self-care plan. You’re life only has value if you decide it does.
And it’s okay to stumble and fall along the way. Healing takes time so BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF!
I illustrated this after hearing too many stories and reading too many articles about the anti immigration, anti refugee propaganda that has increased in my country since a new president was elected to our government. I was raised to love and accept all people and hate is not in line with my beliefs. I hope this piece of art warms your heart with knowing that there is one more person in the world who supports love, not hate.
One of the many ways I’m healing my depression is through nature. I live in the city with lots of parks, canyons and the ocean, but it’s still mostly concrete, pollution and a constant rushing of life. Since I don’t have many opportunities to escape into the mountains I escape into the garden where I volunteer and “ground” or “meditate”. Here is a simple meditation I’ve been using for over a year now.
Nature Meditation
Find a spot. Sit down or stand still.
Look at your surroundings. Is this a safe place to stop and rest?
If so, find a plant or tree to direct your focus.
Notice your thoughts and tell them that it’s time for a break. Just focus on the plant or tree you chose. Notice the shape and size. What is the color of the plant? What’s unique about it? Imagine what insects, reptiles or animals might live in it or like to nibble on it. Just allow your focus to be totally absorbed by the plant.
Every time you start thinking, bring yourself back with the word “return”. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been on a train of thought, just notice that you are out of focus. Allow yourself to release any thoughts, especially those concerned with what you need to do or what is causing you pain. Imagine all the unwanted things seeping out of you and into the soil. Let your worries dissolve into the earth.
Just be present. When you feel ready to move forward with your day then gently return to the world around you. Bring with you the felling of peace that you cultivated today.
The first time I tried this, I only lasted a few minutes, but gradually with practice I can allow myself to sit still and be present for much longer. Practicing mindfulness and meditation is a core for healing. If we don’t take time to slow down and allow ourselves to shut down we will constantly be working on ourselves and that is tiring.
Want more? Check out my DIY Therapy Posts or buy my book, “D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression” on Amazon.
Have you ever wondered what you could do -what possibilities would open up- if you didn’t feel overwhelmed by depression?
“D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression” is available through Amazon; as both an e-book and a paperback.
If you’re suffering from depression I strongly encourage you to seek help. If you can’t afford a therapist find a supportive mentor, teacher or healer who can help you discover inner peace. Healing is possible IF you are open and willing to commit to a self-care plan.
Some of us consistently feel intense anger, some of us consistently feel an abundance of love. Let’s stop shaming those with anger and stop mocking those with love. Instead we can respect each others emotions and perspectives.
We can support each other to heal what is broken without fighting hate with hate. We can encourage each other to be more openly loving without fear of teasing.
How can we take these actions into our life today and moving forward into the future?
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“D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression” is available through Amazon; available as both an e-book and a paperback.
If you’re suffering from depression I strongly encourage you to seek help. If you can’t afford a therapist find a supportive mentor, teacher or healer who can help you discover inner peace. Healing is possible IF you are open and willing to commit to a self-care plan.
If that book…
Individual Empowerment 