It is high time we stopped glorifying busyness.

Dear Gina,
Several things have helped:
1. I went public about my journey with my father in 2012 in performances of storytelling. Doing this opened up more support as others stepped forward about their experiences too.
2. I went public about my personal experience and journey through depression in April 2014 through blog post and then Facebook. This also provided support beyond my wildest expectations and opened the door for others to share their stories and experiences too.
3. I do a lot of self care: daily meditation, even if only 10 minutes has helped heaps. I do gentle runs about 3 times a week and I work out at a local gym.
I do my best to get proper rest, though when insomnia hits, that's a challenge. :) I eat as healthy as I am able, mostly vegetarian. I talk it out with friends and reach out on Facebook for support when I am feeling down.
4. Reaching out for support deserves its own number :) Reaching out and being honest about how I am doing and also sharing hope has been life saving. I also keep a gratitude journal and even if I'm only writing down seemingly small things, they add up to light. :)
5. As a Cause-Focused Storyteller, much of my work is in healing through story and that focus keeps me grounded personally too. A current offering is: We Become the Stories We Tell, part one is about the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and to seek out evidence to see if these are in fact true. This has helped so much!
6. I have a tattoo on my wrist that says "enough" this is a daily reminder that I am enough just as I am. You are too. And sometimes this reminder is to stop my brain from talking trash about me: "enough." And sometimes it is to remind me I have done enough and it might be time to walk away from an unhealthy situation.
7. Every Tuesday I do Tell Me Something Good Tuesday (now as a Facebook Live) to help reframe and focus on the good. Not to not see the challenges, but to reframe that even in the depths and darkness, there is still light even if a glimmer.
I hope this helps. I send hugs.
Kindest regards
Kristin