Motivational Monday: Quote of the Week
Tag: Life
A Well-Needed Night Out
While experiencing the unpleasant symptoms of our mental health illnesses, some of us tend to lose ourselves. Sometimes we won’t get out of bed simply because we lack energy. Not even to get up to brush our teeth, wash our faces, or eat. We won’t leave our homes for days at a time- neglecting work or other essential tasks that should be taken care of during the day. We’ll keep our phones on silent or do not disturb to avoid conversation with our loved ones. We keep to ourselves because we get so down that we don’t know how to get back up quickly. We lie there stuck in our thoughts and feelings, thinking of everything going wrong in our lives- what we can and can’t fix, etc. Not because we want to be down but because those are the symptoms that are challenging to overcome sometimes.
Being stuck in these unfortunate moments can take on toll on anyone enduring them. Likewise, being lost can take a toll and then worsen by the month, week, day or minute. But sometimes, we must push ourselves as hard as possible to get out of those depressing moods, even if it is just for a brief moment. Sometimes we must take that phone call to get a small giggle out of ourselves from a loved one. Maybe they’ll bring up one of our favorite memories that we may have forgotten about. Perhaps someone wants to make us our favorite comfort food or dessert we haven’t eaten in a long time. Or maybe, we’ve been cooped in the house for so long we could use a fun night out to take our minds off of the things bothering or triggering us.
A couple of nights ago, I was able to do just that. For a change, I was able to force myself to get up; I found a cute outfit with the tags still on it in my closet, I refreshed my hair, and then I drove an hour to hang out with a good friend. I even beat my face with some Fenty makeup for the first time in a while. For the first time in a long time, I felt beautiful. I felt good about myself. Although still fresh in my brain, I tried my best to put aside the things that had been bothering me for the past few months. I was able to go out, enjoy the great company and atmosphere I was surrounded by, and I was able to feel like myself for a change. It felt good. Even though I knew I’d be stuck back in my troubling ways the next day (as I was/am). Getting dressed up and out of my home helped me realize that better days are coming soon. At least, that is what I’ll tell myself to bring some sort of peace of mind.
I write this to say even amid our troubles; there is still room for fun and excitement. The enjoyable moments might not last forever, but they are still there to happen. Of course, not every day will be “happy-go-lucky,” but at least getting out and trying to enjoy the moment is a start. So even if we have to fake it until we make it and are finally out of our depressing periods- find the time to try to “Live a Little” as best as possible.
#YouAreNotAlone
Much Love Hooters,
-Cherry and the Hoot
A Special Thank You Note
What’s Up Hooters,
I want to make this post short, simple, and sweet. I don’t feel like I thank you enough, so I would like to do so now. Thank you so much for your support throughout these last couple of years, months, weeks, and days. Thank you for taking precious time out of your busy day to read or listen to my blog posts. Thank you for sharing the posts that you feel will be able to help yourself or others. Thank you for all of the views on this website. Thank you for being amazing. Thank you for coming on this rocky journey with me and not giving up on me. Thank you for hanging in there with me every step of the way. Thank you for believing in me when I don’t always believe in myself. I can’t thank you enough. Thank you for being a part of something so unique and meaningful to me. I love you all, and please always remember to make time to “Live a Little.”
Much Love Hooters,
-Cherry and the Hoot
7 Quick Signs You Are Emotionally Drained
-You are more easily irritated than usual
-Even small tasks feel overwhelming
-You feel restless and on edge a lot
-Your appetite has changed
-You’re tired all day but struggle to sleep at night
-You are making easy mistakes you wouldn’t usually make
-You feel like you could be stuck this way forever
Source: @myeasytherapy
AFSP: Out of the Darkness Community Walk 2022
This past weekend I had the pleasure of participating in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Community Walk. The Out of the Darkness event is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support for all affected by suicide. Numerous families were there to walk for the loved ones they’ve lost, while others were there to walk for themselves and those suffering from various mental health illnesses. Overall, the event was fun, and I was happy my mother and a close family friend were there to support me. It was my second time walking in the event, and I look forward to walking again next year. I encourage all to look into their local AFSP state chapter to participate when the event is in your community. It’ll help you realize that you are not alone, you are beyond loved by many, and you matter!
Much Love Hooters,
Cherry and the Hoot
Motivational Monday: Quote of the Week
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain, and you feel the rain, but you are not the rain.”
-Matt Haig
National Face Your Fears Day
In honor of National Face Your Fears Day, I have decided to share a genuine fear of my own. Ironically, it happens to be about this very blog. One of my biggest fears regarding the Cherry and the Hoot blog is failing. I fear that I am going to fail due to my own personal mental health challenges. By now, if you’ve been with me from the beginning, then you know that there are moments when I go on my “ghosting phases.” A ghosting phase for me is when I am too discouraged to provide and develop new content due to my depression symptoms. Sometimes I feel like I’ll never be able to post again because the motivation isn’t there for me, and I never know when I’ll get it back.
I fear that I will become too mentally ill and will one day wake up and decide to delete the entire blog. But, I also fear failing because I know I have been able to help so many individuals just as they have been able to help me. So deleting the blog would hurt me and all of my supporters. And, if I’m being truthful, I recently considered deleting the blog this past weekend amid extreme emotions. But, I’m happy to announce that I have since decided to continue because I thought about the overall purpose and what it means to me. I also know it will always be okay to step away and break for a few days, weeks, or even months as long as the content is still available for new and existing visitors.
Recently, I realized I had been beating myself up, thinking I wasn’t producing enough content when in reality, it gives people time to catch up on what they’ve missed and gives me time to breathe. As the journey continues, I will always try my best to be there for my Hooters, as they have always been there for me. I’m beyond thankful for everyone, and please always remember that you are not alone. On this day, I decided to share and face one of my biggest fears with you all. I was able to overcome it by simply making a global post about it and pressing the “publish” button. I also remembered that there is a purpose and I will eventually achieve that purpose.
I challenge you to face one of your fears and write in a journal about how you were able to overcome it. You’ve got this, and never forget to Live a Little.
-Cherry and the Hoot
Black Girl Day Off
Black Girl Day Off is observed every October 11 annually in the United States. It is a day dedicated to encouraging black women to take a mental day off to focus on their emotional well-being. Black women assign a high risk of heart disease, breast cancer, and other chronic illnesses. This day was developed to encourage black people to get involved in their health. To overcome mental health disorders and incorrect diagnoses, it is critical to have skilled and compassionate mental health providers. The issues and traumas that disadvantaged, oppressed, and disenfranchised individuals encounter are unique, and they must be treated accordingly.
How To Observe Black Girl Day Off
- Assist black women in need
Encourage the black women around you who you to take the day off for themselves. You are welcome to send them helpful materials.
2. Introduce workplace group therapy
Sign up for a group therapy class at your workplace and make sure to include everyone in need, especially black women. This might give you and your employees a comfortable space to express yourself.
3. Make a donation or volunteer
Minority mental health centers are continuously in need of finances and volunteers. You may assist by donating money or volunteering your time.
5 Facts About Why Taking The Day Off Is Important
- Mental clarity
If you don’t rest your brain, the adverse effects will compound.
2. Affect your daily productivity life
When we are exhausted at work, even the simplest chore becomes difficult.
3. Improved balance
Taking time away from work allows you to rediscover your joy and recall what life was like before you were overly occupied.
4. Increased concentration
No matter how much you enjoy your job, doing the same thing every day may get old.
5. Improved relationships
If you’re continuously working long hours, the essential people in your life will begin to feel neglected — spend time on short trips with your loved ones.
Source: NationalToday
A Post of Transparency: Why I Recently Tried To Commit Suicide
As Cherry and the Hoot is a creative mental health blog with an author who experiences severe major depression and anxiety, please be mindful that there will be moments I share some of my darkest moments of life. It is my decision to share these moments to assure others they are not alone when it comes to any darkness in life. I also share because I am not ashamed of any choices I’ve ever made that some may frown upon or don’t understand. Today I have decided to share that my latest suicide attempt occurred on August 7th, 2022. Yes, just last month. Since then, I have been and am currently being treated professionally; I am also on a healing journey to recovery. Although I will not intensely go into detail about what exactly led (the “icing on the cake”) to the attempt, I will briefly share why I felt it was necessary for me at that very moment. I also share in honor of September being Suicide Prevention Awareness month.
So there is no confusion or weird assumptions that some like to make- please know I didn’t do it for attention. It wasn’t for attention because, sadly, I wasn’t supposed to fail at it. I didn’t do it because I hated myself or anyone else. I didn’t do it because of what I was going through at that moment. I didn’t do it for the satisfaction of anyone else. I didn’t do it for sympathy. I didn’t do it as a “cry for help.” I didn’t do it because I didn’t want to face my troubles. I didn’t do it to hurt any of my loved ones. I didn’t do it to “take the easy way out.” I most certainly didn’t do it because I was selfish.
I did it because I was simply tired. I was tired of everything. I was tired of my ever-lasting mental health battle. I was tired of feeling the way I was feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally. I was tired of not feeling like myself. I was tired of the hurt and all the pain I had ever endured. I was tired of all of the mixed emotions I had. I was tired of struggling with the things I could not repair, control, or understand. I was tired of the unnecessary treatment I didn’t deserve. I was tired of crying every day- at my workplace, in my car, on my way to sleep. I was tired of having no appetite. I was tired of sleeping my life away or not getting enough sleep from the endless negative thoughts scattering around in my brain. I was tired of feeling like I wasn’t living and was simply existing. I didn’t feel I could be helped, nor could I help myself. I no longer wanted to feel like a burden to anyone else in life.
I felt like it was my last option: to feel free of all my troubles finally. It was my last option to no more prolonged pain. My last option to stop the sleepless nights and oversleeping days- to prevent my depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. It was my last option to refrain from losing my job for calling out multiple days in a row due to my mental health illnesses. It was my last option to no longer be lost- to find my way. Finally, it was my last option to be free and at peace forever. I felt like I was losing my battle with the one thing I had worked so hard to maintain over the years- my struggle with depression. I lost every drip of strength I had left in me. I was drained and done, and I was okay with that.
The decision was merely what I thought was best for me at that moment. As I continue to work on improving myself and my mental health, I hope for strength for anyone who feels as though they are completely drained of life. I hope you overcome your battles and weaknesses. I hope you achieve your full potential while seeing and knowing your worth. I hope you know that you are stronger than you think, and you, my friend, will make it through this darkness!
If you or someone you know are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
You matter—your life matters.
#YouAreNotAlone
6 Ways To Improve Your Mental Health
- Set healthy boundaries and ask for help when you need it
- Create habits that make your daily life easier/less stressful
- Try fun exercises such as biking, dancing, or skating
- Socialize with friends and keep in touch
- Keep things as neat and organized as possible
- Get enough sleep and make time to unwind during the day
Source: @selftime