One of the things that I struggle with a lot is the stigma around mental illness. It is deep-seated, pervasive, and embedded in our society and our language in a thousand different tiny ways. For instance, we say all the time that somethings is "crazy" or "nuts". Or we call people "spaz". Or says we're depressed … Continue reading The stigma of mental health
Identifying with anxiety
Ok. It's official. I'm in love with Headspace. There are a bunch of really wonderful things about it, but there are two that really help me address the two biggest issues I have with anxiety. First, Andy, the founder of Headspace, is clearly a conscientious person who understands how anxiety works. In the anxiety pack of … Continue reading Identifying with anxiety
Yoga to the anxious people
It's taken me a really long time to find a yoga routine that works for me, and it's still hard for me to fully commit to it. Because, honestly, working with teenagers all day is exhausting and even though I know I'll feel really good after I practice, it's really hard to want to change into … Continue reading Yoga to the anxious people
Anxiety is a partnership
Lately I've been doing the Anxiety pack of meditations on Headspace, and something has clicked for me. It's not about making the anxiety feel consistent: a panic attack always feels this way, small anxieties always feel that way. Because it's not going to be like that. While there are commonalities - tingling and expansion in … Continue reading Anxiety is a partnership
Here’s to 2016
May it be less anxious than 2015.
When you least expect it
One of the things I'm slowly learning about my anxiety is what triggers it and when to expect it. For instance, there's usually some anxiety around some kind of confrontation or confession, and there is always some around traveling. My therapist also thinks (and I agree) that I'm more susceptible when I haven't been doing … Continue reading When you least expect it
Anxiety check list
One of the things I'm really struggling with is remembering - while I'm in the middle of a storm of anxiety - that I actually know a lot of things that I should be doing. It's so hard to move past that initial self-talk of this is horrible I hate this this needs to stop and … Continue reading Anxiety check list
The story I’m making up
My sister and I went to see Sisters this weekend, and it was awesome. You should go. There's a moment where Maura (Amy Poehler) and James (Ike Barinholtz) are alone together and Maura suggests that they share their fears. The first time, they say superficial fears. Then they do it again, and they share what they're really … Continue reading The story I’m making up
Chris Traeger is my spirit animal
Can we just talk about how wonderful it is that the character of Chris Traeger exists? Seriously. Let's just stop and think about this for a second. Chris Traeger has ambitions and a strong sense of self. He is loving, loyal, and considerate beyond measure. And his journey through therapy and dealing with his anxiety … Continue reading Chris Traeger is my spirit animal
Anxiety is my superpower
The dude said the titular phrase to me on the phone the other day, and it was like my brain lit up. Mind. Blown. I spend a lot of time thinking that my anxiety sucks and it's awful and I hate it and why am I like this and why can't my brain work properly. … Continue reading Anxiety is my superpower
it's only fear 