Happy, Hopeful May!

"There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn't." ~John Green

Welcome to May, where in Minnesota it still feels like Spring hasn't quite sprung. And yet, I am not feeling sad about that. It's been nice to hunker down inside while the outside is wet & cold. I could also describe it as dreary, but actually it almost feels hopeful, like I'm watching a shift happen so slowly, that May has got to be more beautiful than we can even imagine. Like a gift to us for waiting out this spring so patiently. Nature has a way of surprising us, so I am full of hope for the bright colors & sunshine May likely will bring.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month (NHAM). The purpose of NHAM is to help remove the stigma surrounding mental illness by raising awareness. According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), stigma harms 1 in 5 Americans affected by mental health conditions. Stigma reduction is necessary in order to remove barriers preventing people from getting help.

I have been learning & leaning into my own mental health awareness. I have anxiety & depression. For many years, I felt ashamed for feeling too much. I was told I was too emotional, too sensitive, too, too much. It took a long time for me to realize that I needed to seek out help. There are a lot of things I do to maintain my sanity now, including yoga & meditation, dancing, walking my dog, therapy, reaching out to friends & family, reading, and more recently, taking anti-anxiety medication. I don't know why it took me so long, but I am so grateful for modern medicine, in addition to many natural ways of healing. It's all about balance, and my mental, physical & emotional health are all united.

Please know that I am always available to have a conversation about mental health. I am no longer ashamed, but feel truly grateful for my big feelings. My terrifically beautiful high highs & my terribly difficult low lows can be a wild ride, but I cherish my life so much, I can't imagine it any other way.