Tag: Protect Your Mental

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Another Year Older, Wiser, and Starting Over (Again)

Cherry and the Hoot

Hellooo Hooters!

Today happens to be the GREATEST day of all time- June 27th! Cheers to another year older, wiser, and starting over (again)! Finally, my New Year is here yet again- Happyyyy Birthdayyyy to meeee! 

Goodness, I have managed to survive yet another year of this “Life thing” and I’m honestly not sure how to feel about it. Overall, the greatest part about today is the fact that I’m finally able to fully reset my entire life. If you know me, then you know that I don’t celebrate January 1st as a “New Year” for me, but instead my actual birthday. I use June 27th for my New Year’s resolutions, cleanse, and overall self-improvement. 

Being able to reset on my birthday is important to me because I can reflect on my past year and observe where I need to improve, see where I went wrong, where I lost motivation, etc. In my previous post, I wrote about getting back on track and this is exactly what I meant by that. A fresh start at least gets me going on the right path and I always try to keep in mind- a good habit becomes most effective after 21 days. No matter what goals I set, I try my best to force myself to complete them for at least 21 days. 

Just like any other year, this year has been hectic and I’ve faced numerous challenges and exciting moments throughout it. The first six months I decided to let go of alcohol and I’m proud to say that I succeeded greatly. Halfway through the first six months, I gave the 75 Hard challenge a try and somewhat succeeded for the most part. My most creative task for my last year was to create a “Random Thoughts of 32” thread in my Notes app. I seriously can’t wait to share that in a future post. That is where I shared some of my hardest, darkest, and transparent moments in my life throughout the year. 

This last year I also considered and started new beginnings, repaired or tightened broken relationships, fell in love with a new hobby, explored Faith, and more. Of course, throughout my sharing my journey, I’ll be reflecting on the biggest setbacks I faced. I’m choosing to share my setbacks because I’m an honest person and if I can’t be transparent or real with my supporters- what’s the point of this blog right? 

My goals for this year would probably consist of the continuation of improving myself physically, financially, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc. I plan on blogging more and enhancing my overall content. Improving more relationships with my loved ones would be ideal- I’ll try not to be too pressed about that. Exploring faith on a deeper level would also be a goal. And then lastly, I’ll be focusing more on completing a few goals I started within the last year- very excited about that! 

Overall, I’m excited about my new beginning and a reset of life. I’m excited to overcome the challenges I may face and hope to deal with them accordingly. I’m excited to work on myself across the board. I’m extremely excited to accomplish the goals I’ve been working on. I’m excited about my upcoming vision for this blog. I’m just excited to succeed. This next chapter of life will be great and I’m claiming it. 

Much Love, Hooters,

-Cherry and the Hoot

Home, Mental Health

Summer Beach Calming Activities: Summer Mental Wellness

Cherry and the Hoot

Summer is just about here, and while the season brings sunshine and longer days, many of us are still navigating our mental health journeys. The good news? There’s a therapeutic place waiting for us- the beach. With its soothing waves, open skies, and calming energy, it offers the perfect setting to slow down and reconnect. It’s a sacred space to pause, breathe, and come back to yourself. If you’re craving peace this season, these summer beach calming activities are a gentle invitation to relax your inner calm… one mindful moment at a time.

1. Walking Along the Shoreline
-Take off your shoes and stroll where the water meets the sand. Feel each step, listen to the rhythm of the waves, and let your mind drift. This barefoot walk will help ground you and quiet inner noise.

2. Drawing or Writing in the Sand
-Use your finger or a stick to create messages, doodles, or mandalas in the sand. Let the waves eventually wash them away as a symbol of releasing what no longer serves you.

3. Beach Breathing Meditation
-Sit or lie comfortably on the sand. Breathe in as the wave comes in and then breathe out as it flows out. Match your breath to the tide to create a calming rhythm that quiets anxiety and recenter your focus.

4. Listening to Seashells
-Place a shell to your ear and listen. This simple act can bring you back to the current moment. Use it as a grounding ritual- a reminder to pause and truly hear what’s around and within you.

5. Watching the Waves
-Find a comfortable spot and do nothing but watch the waves rise and fall. Let each wave carry away tension. This quiet watching helps you become more aware, more still, and more at peace.

6. Beach Picnic with Mindful Eating
-Bring something light and refreshing like fruits, iced tea, sandwiches, etc., and eat slowly as you focus on flavors, smells, and textures. Enjoy each bite with gratitude while listening to the ocean nearby.

7. Gentle Beach Yoga or Stretching
-Roll out a towel or mat and stretch slowly. Try child’s pose, seated twists, or deep breathing postures. The ocean breeze and natural sounds enhance relaxation as your body unwinds.

8. Stargazing by the Shore
-Visit the beach after sunset. Lay back on a towel or blanket and look up. Let the stars remind you how expansive and beautiful life can be. This is a great time for slow breathing or silent reflection.

9. Ocean-Inspired Journaling
-Bring a notebook and write near the water. Reflect on how the sea mirrors your emotions- always moving, sometimes stormy, always returning to calm. Use prompts like, “What do I need to let go of today?”

10. Writing a Message and Letting It Go
-Write a thought, memory, or emotion you’re ready to release- in your journal or directly in the sand. Then let it go. Watch the tide carry it away. It’s a symbolic, gentle form of emotional release.

Each of these summer beach calming activities offers a small, sacred moment of peace and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need. Whether you spend five minutes or five hours, let the ocean remind you that calm is always available. No matter which activity you decide to do, always remember to “Live a Little” while doing so.

Much Love Hooters,
-Cherry and the Hoot

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A Well-Needed Night Out

Cherry and the Hoot

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           

Uncategorized

Moment of Truth: Loss of Motivation is Real

Cherry and the Hoot

Imagine yourself coming up with such an excellent plan for your future. You’ve carefully brainstormed reasonable and doable steps to guide you toward your goals. You’ve thoroughly researched the pros and cons and weighed out whatever it is you want to accomplish. You created a bonus plan just in case things don’t work out. You’re more than willing to put in the extra work or make possible sacrifices to succeed. You’re excited and begin to execute the first few steps, but then something unexpected happens. Something you didn’t plan, nor was it revealed while researching. You were trying your best to stay in the groove of things, but suddenly, you’ve lost motivation.

Sometimes, there is nothing like deeply desiring something and lacking the motivation to accomplish it. The overall vision is there, and the focus is strong, but the drive to get there seems nonexistent. Could it be one is simply doubting themselves or their goals? Did a life event occur and change the setting? Or what about another individual being the cause of discouragement with their negativity? Whatever the reasoning may be, it happens, and that is okay. It will always be okay to give yourself a break, but you should try your best never to lose your true focus on the objectives you desire in life.

Sure, it would be ideal to achieve our goals overnight, but that isn’t realistic, and I believe this is where most of us go wrong at times. Not all of our plans are going to become successful right away. We create long-term and short-term goals, but many of us either forget or ignore the possibility of those failing, so we don’t make other options. But, honestly, who’s to say even those other options won’t fail us as well? In reality, we don’t know, but we have to go for it regardless. Things will not always move at the pace we’d like them to, but we can’t allow that to discourage us and lose our motivation.

Aiming for the bigger picture should always be essential for achieving our goals in life. Some of us may experience a few minor or even significant setbacks, but we have to keep moving forward as best as possible. Take as many breaks as you wish, but do not give up altogether if you can control it. If you begin to lose motivation, try taking a different approach, such as a simple lifestyle change. Speak with someone already in the position you desire to be in for guidance. Re-evaluate your steps and take a possible detour if need be, but do not give up because you have already come so far. I can’t express that enough. Keep your head above the water, take a deep breath, take your time, keep going, and you will succeed!

If I am being sincere, this topic came along because I am genuinely losing motivation towards this blog. It’s sad, but this is my truth to my supporters. So many people do not understand how challenging it is to be suffering from mental health disorders such as anxiety and major depression while trying to be there for others battling those same disorders. It is not easy, especially when I am already struggling to be there for myself. Yet, I keep trying my best to produce content even when I don’t feel like it because I know others look forward to my posts. I’m beyond grateful for that.

I push myself because I know the overall picture I wish to accomplish for myself and others. Those without a voice who can not express themselves adequately or feel as though they are alone when they aren’t- I am trying as hard as I can to be there for us. Additionally, working on this Cherry and the Hoot blog along with my personal and work life, I am quietly behind the scenes trying to develop additional opportunities for myself and my future. So it gets tricky, but I am not giving up on us. At times, it may take a bit longer to produce content, but I will always be here and forever appreciate my supporters’ understanding. No matter what, I’ll never forget to take some time to Live a Little in the midst of it all!

Much Love Hooters,

-Cherry and the Hoot

Uncategorized

Free Yourself, When You’re Ready

Cherry and the Hoot

Experiencing something traumatic such as a sexual assault, can be extremely difficult to express to others. Sure, it would be ideal to speak up immediately, but that seems easier said than done. Sadly, survivors often feel too ashamed and embarrassed to come forward about the horrific events which once occurred. Some want to get their story out but fear judgment from others. Some fear speaking out due to threats given by their attacker. Others prefer not to relive such disgusting acts. Sexual assault victims tend to blame themselves for what happened to them, especially when what they experienced wasn’t provoked. Could it be they were at the right or wrong place at the wrong time? Or maybe even putting entirely too much trust into someone who sadly failed them. Either way, it’s distasteful to experience and even more sickening for one to commit such a violent crime.

April is the month to bring awareness to sexual assault, and there are so many people encouraging survivors to speak up. As I agree with speaking out on an assault, I recommend waiting until you feel the moment is suitable for you. Sure, we all want to see justice served for those who violently attack others, but we also wish for survivors to decide when they want to face the public openly. You have those who victim-blame when the innocent survivor is already doing that to themselves. Imagine coming forward, and on the day of trial, the defense tries everything to accuse you of being the reason you were sexually assaulted. Or accusing you of “taking things the wrong way.” Or what about accusing you of being a liar and “making everything up.” And to top things off, your attacker is sitting in the same room, constantly making eye contact with you. Nobody wants to relive nor endure such a diminishing moment, so they silence themselves. They mute themselves with the hopes of forgetting what happened altogether.

You can not force someone to speak up about a sexual assault. When they feel the time is right, they will come forward. If you have been assaulted, I hope you find the courage to relieve yourself of the troubling and painful memories. Maybe you don’t want to face your attacker in court- make arrangements to speak with a professional specializing in sexual assault cases like a therapist or counselor. Write in a journal how you truly felt before, during, and after the attack. Have you been able to heal? Look into joining support groups in your local community or social media platforms and see how others like yourself have been able to manage. Think of ways to keep yourself safer so it’ll never happen again, or at least the chances of it happening again would be slim. If possible, relocate yourself from where the attack occurred if you’re still there. As I know, PTSD is real, and there’s plenty that could trigger unwanted thoughts. Try your best to forgive, but never forget so that you can move forward. Again, all of this is easier said than done.

Good luck with your healing process; you are not alone.

Much Love Hooters,

-Cherry and the Hoot

Blog

World Teen Mental Health Day

Cherry and the Hoot

Teenagers deal with mental health challenges as well, and it is vital they know it is okay not to be okay. Reach out to a teen today to check on their well-being, see if you can be of any help, and let them know they are loved.

Much Love Hooters,

-Cherry and the Hoot