I’m a recent grad with a Health Sciences degree who is facing difficulties with slowing down. Does there need to always be something I am working on? Do I need to always be working on all of my projects? Keeping on top of everything? Growing and improving in measurable ways? It feels like my mind…
-
5 Things NOT to Say to Your Loved One with Depression
Read moreWhen I am suffering through a depressive episode, I always give my loved ones the benefit of the doubt when they say statements or ask questions that are well-intentioned but ultimately unhelpful. I know that they mean well. They would love for me to recover quickly from my periods of low mood & energy, social…
-
What you do with the seeds of knowledge I offer is up to you – a free verse about living with depression
Read moreThis is something new that I am trying out – the following is completely unedited, free-flow writing written exactly from where I am at in the current moment. Its purpose? To give one perspective on what life with chronic depression is really like, in order to increase those without depression’s understanding of it. Also, to…
-
Not Everyone Suffers From Mental Illness, But Everyone Has Mental Health #GetLoud
Read moreExtremely common and damaging misconceptions: I have good mental health. After all, I don’t have a mental illness. People with mental illness and myself are fundamentally different. I don’t need to go out of my way to be kinder to myself or practice meditation or whatever. I don’t have a mental illness, so why should…
-
Plan for self-care during midterm/finals season
Read moreDealing with depression and anxiety as an overachieving perfectionist at university is pretty damn horrible. All three elements are interlinked. If one starts rearing its head, the others will very likely join. It is a frustrating experience that I know many of us perfectionists struggling with depression and anxiety share. Even if you are not…
-
4 Steps to Process Negative Emotions
Read moreFor the majority of my life, I’ve been a heavy self-criticizer. I’m sure many people out there are the same way. When I would feel negative emotions, I would direct them toward myself and berate myself endlessly. It never made sense to me – why would I ever be worthy enough to feel any of…
-
Challenging cognitive distortions – a guide for students
Read moreTwo weeks ago, we explored 11 cognitive distortions that are commonly seen in students. The aim there was to learn to recognize and identify them when they arise in our everyday lives. Today, I’d like to help you to redirect these cognitively distorted thoughts toward healthier alternative thoughts. I want to reiterate that everything here…
-
- Anxiety
- Anxiety Disorders
- Bullet Journalling
- Depression
- Mental Health
- Mental Illness
- Therapeutic Art
5 Bullet Journal Spreads for Mental Health (+ beginner’s guide)
Read moreI started a bullet journal in early-March 2017. At the time, I was a wreck. I had been trying to orient myself in a swirling mess of thoughts, emotions, and tasks. Following my hospital discharge, I was researching positive habits and ways to confront my perfectionism. Grand dreams were brewing about how I should lead…
-
11 Cognitive Distortions for Students
Read moreI’m a university student in a program that has an admission requirement of a 90% average from grade 12 in high school. I absolutely love my program, but I have heard oh so often from my mental health professionals that it is a breeding ground for mental health issues. I attribute it to the fact…
-
Abandonment – Overcoming the Fear
Read more“The reality, Nicole, is that although your thoughts are not completely rational and are definitely cognitively distorted, there is an element of truth to them this time.” I had spent three weeks ruminating endlessly on these thoughts that I shared with my psychiatrist, only to hear that statement from him. I knew that I wouldn’t…
-
What to do when depression hits
Read moreI had a conversation with a friend the other day who asked me for advice on what to do when you are feeling so depressed that you cannot fathom performing any action at all.
