Goodbye Mental Health Awareness Month

 

I had great plans for this Mental Health Awareness Month, but the multiverse disagreed, and I had to do as Captain Cold says and "throw away the plan." I really came to appreciate how when I am overstimulated and overwhelmed (even if for positive reasons like lots of paid cat-sitting work that took me all over), my capacity to deal with change disappears. In some areas I did better than expected, but overall I felt kind of frantic this month and struggled to relax even when I did have some downtime between being busy.

I think it is important for us to share when we are overstimulated and overwhelmed, because we all experience such moments, but all too often we don't talk about them and therefore feel isolated and alone in those struggles. It is late, and I have lots of stuff planned for tomorrow, so I will simply leave you all with the knowledge that no matter how you feel about May, no matter whether you were able to focus on mental health or not, you are not alone, and you did a fantastic job simply surviving. Mental Health Awareness Month may be coming to a close, but working on our mental health needs to occur all year.

Summer is Here ...

 

I was going to write this post last week, but that didn't happen LOL, so I am sharing it this weekend instead. 

Each summer I create a spreadsheet where I list all the summer activities I do. This is so at the end of summer, when I feel like I failed to do as much as I could have, I can look back at my list and have data to prove myself wrong. Most summers I end up doing over 100 activities, which clearly shows I am doing something.

While I don't have many rules, I do have a few guidelines, such as the activities should occur outside my apartment and not be something I do regularly (for example, going for a walk or weekly church doesn't count, but if there is a special occasion such as tomorrow's First Sunday Pride Month Meal, it does)

But when everything is said and done, it is more about me keeping a record (you're welcome, future historians LOL) than overly worrying about how to classify my summer activities. If you are looking for a fun and easy way to encourage yourself to do more things this summer, this might be a useful idea.

Making Space for Diverse Book Lovers

Online I saw a post:

I keep wanting to join a in person book club but just keep finding ones that say for women or girls and I'm like not either of those. Just want a nice book community in my area that welcomes trans and nonbinary people.

It turns out that the individual does not live in my state but some of my suggestions seemed useful for them so I am sharing them here in case they would be useful for others

Your Local Library

For example The Chicago Public Library currently has 40+ virtual book club meetings which cover everything from short stories to horror to cookbooks to mysteries. 

If you go to the library's event page you can search for book clubs at the top, and on the left side under location you can click online events. And you can sign up with an email, you don't need a library card. 

Your Independent Bookstores

For example in addition to a wonderful monthly book club that covers a wide range of books, this summer my Three Avenues Bookshop is once again doing its Summer Reading Challenge for all ages including adults. 

Silent Book Clubs 

Many communities are setting up silent book clubs where readers meet somewhere and silently read their own books. 

If you happen to live in an area where you are struggling to find a book club that works for you setting up a silent book club is pretty easy, just find a local coffee shop or pub that is ok with you hanging out and reading or in the summer pick a local park to meet at and starting reading.

Virtual Nature Walks For Mental Health

Today for Mental Health Awareness Month, I am highlighting the power of nature. While getting outside is good for our mental health, some days a walk might be challenging because of physical health concerns, because of the weather, or because we simply don't have enough "spoons*" to go out.

No matter why getting out in nature is challenging, here is a "low spoons" choose-your-own-adventure virtual option. Below I have 12 possible virtual walk options for you. Just choose one video from the soundtrack options and listen while watching one of the walk options.

Three Soundtrack Options

Forest

 

City Park

Ocean

Four Walk Options

Chicago Flowers

(Photographer Dreaming Ace)

Lakeside

(Photographer Dreaming Ace)

Through Time

(Photographer Dreaming Ace)

Nighttime Chicago

(Photographer Dreaming Ace)

*Spoon theory is a metaphor describing the amount of physical or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks and how it can become limited. The term was coined in a 2003 essay by American writer Christine Miserandino.

Nourishing Ourselves for Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Right now this feels fitting since so many of us are overstimulated, overwhelmed, and terrified by everything that is happening. This month is a time to check in on our own mental health and the mental health of those around us. One place to start is to find ways to practice self-love every day. (Mental Health America has a list of daily wellness tips you might want to check out)

While self-love will look different for everyone, we should all try to practice it as individuals, as communities, and as societies. Remember that no matter what you are experiencing, you are not alone. No matter what you are feeling, thinking, or doing, you are not alone. No matter your current struggles or "spoon" levels*, you are not alone. No matter if you are overstimulated or overwhelmed, You Are Not Alone.

There are so many different categories of ways we might choose to nourish ourselves.

Creatively, such as writing, drawing, coloring, painting, making music, building something, or going to a museum.

Intellectually, such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, or watching a show that explores mental health challenges.

Physically, such as eating nourishing foods, drinking more water, taking a multivitamin, doing yoga, going for a run, or having a dance party in our home.

Reflectively, such as journaling, meditating, practicing mindfulness, hanging out in nature, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist.

Sensorily, such as a cup of tea, using nice-smelling body products, taking a nice shower, using our favorite fidget, burning a candle or incense, or listening to music.

Socially, such as going to a book club or an open mic, joining a crafting group or a sports team, or simply discussing our favorite fandoms with other fans.

I am challenging myself to do something from at least 3 categories of self-nourishment each day for Mental Health Awareness Month. Yesterday I did a meditation (something reflective), listened to an episode of Depesh mode (something intellectual), and completed all my fitness and wellness goals (one yoga with Adriene, one FitOn fitness, 10,000 steps, taking a multivitamin, and brushing my teeth) for the first time in a while (something physical). Though when I summarized on the line for my daily Mental Health Awareness month goal, it became "RIP," which made me giggle (which is also good for our mental health).

*Spoon theory is a metaphor describing the amount of physical or mental energy that a person has available for daily activities and tasks and how it can become limited. The term was coined in a 2003 essay by American writer Christine Miserandino.