Things That Help Me

I haven’t felt this good about where I’m at in life since before my brother died, in a motorcycle accident, in 2020. Maybe it’s pregnancy? Oh yea, BTW, I’m 28 weeks pregnant with a little girl! Maybe enough time has passed that I am starting to recover from the sadness 2020 brought? I don’t know. What I do know is that there are a few things that are 100% contributing to my current state of happiness.

1. Reading books – This one is not going to be for everyone… But it’s changed my life for the better. I love any and all genres. It’s not all self-help books, although, they’re some of my favorites. Reading has provided for me what the TV cannot, a true escape from my thoughts. I cannot multitask when it comes to reading. If I’m not focused on what I’m reading I have to reread it, whereas with television I can scroll my phone (compare myself to others, read emails, feel like a downhill spiraling failure) all while watching my favorite show. Television and music just don’t capture my attention enough to pull me out of my thoughts and my dreaded cellphone. A good book on the other hand?? I’ll put my phone on Do Not Disturb and read for hours. I’ve read 5 books so far this month and let me tell ya, my mental health is booming (in a good way) because I’m not wasting so much time feeling like a lazy failure. I read instead!
2. Changing up my prayers, and praying often – Many people don’t pray, and that okay. You can still get something out of this point. I do pray to God but it’s not about who or what I pray too, it’s about how I do it. Every morning when I wake up, I go through a list of things I am thankful for and, of course, thank God for providing those things for me. Some of these things are very simple and the usual: house, food, family, friends. I took it one step forward when I started being grateful for the things in my life that are major stressors. “God, thank you for allowing me the comfort of being stressed about the dirty dishes.” BEING STRESSED ABOUT LITTLE THINGS IS A PRIVLEDGE! Woah, smack to the face right there. There are people in this world struggling with finding food, shelter, fighting illness and even death. Announcing your gratefulness for the stress in your life shows you just how good you really have it. Next thing you know, the dishes aren’t something you’re crying over. Another example – “God, thank you for my dog that shit on the floor this morning. That experience taught me that I cannot push it until 9 am before letting her outside.” Being grateful for the things or people that drive you nuts brings a new perspective into your life. Allow yourself to recognize that by vocalizing, meditating on or writing down that you’re grateful. Note the way it made you learn, grow or shows your blessings.
3. Affirmations – Yea, I think everyone is just about sick of hearing about these. I am a believer in them though, so you’ll just have to hear me out. I have one affirmation that I tell myself everyday while I pray. “God is good, God made me, so therefor, I am good.” This reminds me that I am not failing, that I am on the path that was meant for me with the perfect timing. It also keeps me grounded in my faith. God is still good, even in the toughest seasons of life. My faith in a higher power will get me through anything. I believe that no matter what, everything will turn out alright in the end. With death, that can be a very hard pill to swallow. Sometimes, I have to grit my teeth while telling myself that when I am angry about losing Donnie. Keep saying it though, it will one day bring comfort.

It’s not a long list of stuff that’ll cure you of depression, anxiety or general unhappiness but it’s a great starting point. I am proof that adding these healthy habits to your life can make great changes. It all boils down to a mindset shift; the true key to happiness.

Thank you for reading and supporting me. I am always an open book, so feel free to open up conversation about this post.