self-care – Page 3 – Individual Empowerment

Depression is a natural reaction to life, a debilitating reaction.

I understand how being in depression for too long stops you from the ability to make decisions. I understand because I have been there and still visit once in a while. When we are depressed, we second guess, immerse ourselves in negatives and worst case scenarios. We become so tired that it’s easier to just stand still, hide under the covers, freeze time.But we have to reach out. We must seek help at some point!

Victim mode became my label because for so long it was all I knew. I began to feel entitled and my thoughts turn downward, “After all I’d been through why shouldn’t someone else save me? Why don’t others know I am depressed and give me attention? Why am I alone?”

That is where my thoughts were for all those years. Being a victim for 20 years, both at the hands of others and my own is debilitating. It’s traumatic and not easy to recover.

It’s so difficult and frightening. I understand you and I believe in you. You are powerful. You can start healing. It’s time to make a tiny change and another and another until you are in control of your mental health. Please reach out to someone!

Here is a list of resources for you to start your healing path.

Shakti Rising provides the support and tools for women to tap into their own wisdom, power and resiliency.- http://shaktirising.org
The Love Warrior Community focuses on helping people work on self-love and body acceptance at http://lovewarriorcommunity.com
Mental Health America – This is where I completed a free mental health first aid training,
http://mentalhealthamerica.net NAMI – Alliance of mental illness has a program called Peer to Peer, similar to Big Brother/Big Sister, which is a way to socialize and give support for those who are feeling isolated. – http://nami.org DBSA– Depression, Bipolar, Anxiety- http://dbsalliance.org
Survivors of Suicide Loss – http://SOSLSD.org
Nationwide Suicide Prevention Hotline , 1-800-273-8255
The Trevor Project – Suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth, 1-866-488-7386 or http://thetrevorhelpline.org
There are apps that support mental health. The My3App connects someone who is feeling suicidal with their three main support contacts –http://my3app.org
Don’t want to call? Use a text hotline. Text 741741 anywhere in the USA for a live trained counselor.

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My book, “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.

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Want more creativity and play in your life? Print my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

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Find art and gifts at my boutique store, Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle

Travel

A New Adventure – Working My Way Across the Country

September 5, 2017 Impower You

Has your life turned out similar to or completely different from what you imagined in your younger years?

Mine has been one big question mark. After High School, I earned an Associate degree in fashion with dreams of creative work, runways, global travels and wealth. Instead, I spent my 20’s and early 30’s depressed, in debt and unable to hold a job. During those years I worked in various occupations and co-owned a somewhat successful retail/wholesale business with my mom, but never felt successful.

Recently I was hired for a 9-5 job that I didn’t like, that paid just a little more than minimum wage and made me feel sick every day, The fact that money doesn’t buy happiness, even with weekends and holidays off to follow my passions, really sunk in. I decided that something had to change…as I’ve said so often in the past 7 years! I felt like there were only two viable choices, spend an unknown amount of time searching for another job, feeling quite despondent, or plan an adventure. With only debt and comfort holding me in place, the decision was simple, yet frightening. Seek and discover my passion, but give up the security of a paycheck and friends nearby? How will I pay my debts? How will I have money for food? What if something happens?

So many doubts went through my mind until one moment at work. I was scaring myself out of the idea when one of those Aha! moments hit. –I have no faith in my ability to take care of myself as an artist and writer. Basically, I do not trust myself.– Right then I knew that this was a chance I had to take.

I chose to participate in work trades through Workaway.info. What is a work trade? Basically in exchange for 25-30 hours of work per week, I receive a place to live and food for a specific set of time. Through Workaway, you can work anywhere in the world for a variety of people, businesses or organizations for varying periods of time. There is no pay involved, and transportation and expenses to and from the work trade are all on you. This is a big financial decision for someone at my income level.

After research and phone interviews I was able to find a series of four different work trades, each lasting two weeks. I will be homesteading, gardening, making sea salt, and helping at a bed and breakfast. This month I am in New Mexico and in October I will be in Massachusetts. The reason I decided to jump to the other side of the country is so I can celebrate Halloween in Salem with a dear friend, who has been inviting me there for years. My plan is to do work trades for about one year, but I am staying open to possibilities.

My first workaway is in the beautiful mountains of San Fidel, New Mexico at the Ann Wigmore Raw Food Retreat Center, as seen in the photo below. So far, I have been helping to clear brush and rocks and learning how to grow wheatgrass. It’s only been two days, but my body feels wonderful eating a mostly raw food diet. I love working outside and living at the base of a mountain. The scenery is beautiful, the air is clean and it’s quiet!

What happens next? I don’t really know, but you can follow my journey by subscribing to updates in the upper right corner.

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“D.I.Y. Therapy: Healing Depression” is available through Amazon; available as both an e-book and a paperback.

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Want more creativity and play in your life? Print my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

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Find art and gifts at my boutique store, Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle

Empowering Discussions

Are You a Pathetic Loser?

June 1, 2017May 31, 2017 Impower You

-Pathetic. Loser. Freak. Ugly. Stupid. –

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.**

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Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

Art

Breathe Deeply, Softly, Hungrily

May 10, 2017May 9, 2017 Impower You

-Breathe deeply, softly, hungrily. –

What will your intention be today? How will you start your morning? Or how will you rejuvenate a day that isn’t fulfilling your heart and mind?

My intention is…

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Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

Writing

Writing is Healing and Opening

April 25, 2017April 19, 2017 Impower You

“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.

And it’s okay to stumble and fall along the way. Healing takes time so BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF!

Peace and Hugs, Leah

Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

D.I.Y. Therapy

Nature Meditation for Depression

April 12, 2017 Impower You

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.

Want more? Print and meditate with FREE COLORING BOOKS!

Empowering Discussions

Anger and Love, Shaming and Mocking

March 22, 2017March 31, 2017 Impower You

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.

Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

Book Reviews, D.I.Y. Therapy

My New Book is Here! “DIY Therapy: Healing Depression” is Finally Published

March 14, 2017 Impower You

For several years I have been working on healing my depression. It’s been a bumpy journey, but is slowly bringing me home to my true self. For a few years now I have been sharing my healing process through my DIY Therapy posts, which are free to read, here on my blog. I’m elated to finally share how I have healed in book form. Hopefully this will help me reach more people who are in pain.

For seventeen years I suffered in silence because the fear of a mental illness stigma is SO strong. I hid it even from my closest family and friends, “knowing” they would not understand. Well as it turns out, my family and friends and event complete strangers, care a lot about my mental health. It is with their support and encouragement that I was able to openly share my own pain and the struggles of depression.

And it’s okay to stumble and fall along the way. Healing takes time so BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF!

Peace and Hugs, Leah

Want more? Print and enjoy my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

Coloring Pages

Trust Yourself – Coloring Page and Affirmation

September 11, 2016August 22, 2016 Impower You

This is one of the pages from the free coloring book I created, “Peace, Love & Weirdness“.

Affirmation for Trusting Yourself
I am capable.

I trust myself.

I trust in what feels good for me.

I trust in my struggle.

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Click HERE to download this FREE coloring book.

You might also enjoy my other book of affirmations and original art.

D.I.Y. Therapy

D.I.Y. Therapy: Self Discovery Questions

September 8, 2016September 8, 2016 Impower You

An important aspect of self growth and healing from depression is accepting yourself. If you want to feel balanced and healthy you can’t spend all your energy fighting who you are. Instead you must learn to be genuine and love the parts of you that are both embarrassing and wonderful.

Below are seven questions to give you insight into your genuine self. After you answer these questions meditate on your responses.

1) Who am I?

2) What labels have been assigned to me by others?

3) What about myself do I criticize?

4) What about myself do I celebrate?

5) What do I believe about myself that is not true?

6) Who do I want to be?

7) What can I cultivate to become my best self?

*Like this??? Read more D.I.Y. Therapy Posts. *

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Download FREE books on ImpowerYou!

“Peace, Love & Weirdness” is an offbeat collection of my original illustrations and affirmations.

Grab your free copy on the Coloring Book page.

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“More Than Just a Girl” helps girls build confidence with information, creative activities and loving acceptance.

Grab your free copy on the More Than a Girl page.

Tag: self-care

Are You Stuck In Victim Mode?

Want more creativity and play in your life? Print my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

Find art and gifts at my boutique store, Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle

A New Adventure – Working My Way Across the Country

Want more creativity and play in your life? Print my FREE COLORING BOOKS!

Find art and gifts at my boutique store, Zazzle.com/OviedoStyle