May is Mental Health Awareness month, and I think we all need to pay special attention to our mental health this year, more than ever. I can confidently say that my anxiety has been at a high, and I find myself struggling in lots of ways I previously didn’t. Today, I’m talking about five ways I’m taking my own mental health into account, and how those strategies are keeping me on track.
I’m linking up with the Ultimate Coffee Date with Coco and Deborah !
Over coffee, I would tell you that…
My introvert tendencies have taken over. Oops. I was always an introvert, but I could hang with people. Now, it takes a lot more effort to leave the house. I don’t want to be this way, but I definitely have to convince myself that I will have fun around others, if I just give it a chance. There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert, of course, but I know I need some interaction to be my best self. I am working harder on allowing myself to get that interaction.
Over coffee, I would tell you that…
I have become a fan of silence. Before this year, I always loved having background noise in my world, but now, I prefer to sit in complete and utter silence. I even run without music. At first, this bothered me, but I learned to honor the stillness. Just as we can have cluttered home, we can also experience auditory clutter, and it’s been helpful for me to embrace the quiet.
Over coffee, I would tell you…
That, for my own mental health, I have released things that no longer serve me. There are relationships, obligations, and expectations that stopped benefitting me (or no longer had a mutual benefit). Instead of struggling to keep those things pumping on life support, I just … allowed my journey to take me elsewhere. I have no regrets. Sometimes it’s ok to let things come to an end.
Over coffee, I would tell you that…
“”No” is a complete sentence.” This quote is attributed to many different people, but i first heard spoken by a woman who I consider a mentor, friend, and leader in our community. No one has to offer any explanation for excuse for saying “no.” If you are unable or unwilling to take something on, it is ok to say “no.” As someone who always likes to help others, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around the simplicity of this, but giving myself permission to say “no” without justification or apology has been incredible for me.
Over coffee, I would tell you that…
Giving grace has a place, but I also need to pay attention to my passions and that which drives me. Since my accident, I’ve been very gentle with myself, physically and emotionally. I allowed myself time to heal, and made a lot of excuses for why I didn’t have to step up in different areas of my life. The pandemic made it easier to sink into that mindset. However, at a certain point, I realized that I was missing parts of myself, and I needed to get that back. So yes, I give myself grace when it comes to burnout, being overwhelmed, and needing time to process, but I am back in the game by setting goals and challenging myself. In a way, this is part of my self-care and it’s critical to living my best life.
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What strategies do you employ to better your own mental health?
People always tell me that I’m an extrovert and I guess I am. I’m loud and friendly and nosy. I also love to be alone and to be quiet. The pandemic has made me more so. I feel like I’m so used to a slower pace and not having plans that returning to going out is going to be tough for me (and more so for some others!)
I think most of us will struggle getting back to that pace and being around people.
That’s funny about silence. Even the TV on bothers me lately. I prefer to go upstairs and read a book ALONE!
I have a very hard time saying NO. I just I like to please others and put myself last. Like today, my friend wants to walk. I do not because i still have to do laundry and I have a race tomorrow. Not sure i can say NO
Same!
I used to care but now, if I don’t want to do something, and it’s not going to hurt someone or go back on a commitment, I don’t do it.
Oh yes, I’m an introvert as well. I really have to push myself to leave the house and socialize, but I’m always glad when I do it. These are all great things to think about. I love “‘No’ is a complete sentence.” Sounds like you’ve had a year of really beneficial introspection. Thanks for sharing this!
I am also always glad when I go out and I always have fun, but it’s just easier not to.
I can identify with your introvert tendencies. The longer the pandemic goes, the more I am apt to stay home rather than getting out with friends, even though I am fully vaccinated.
Good for you for allowing yourself to let things go if they no longer serve you. I need to work on that too.
Honestly, I reached a point where I didn’t see the need to leave the house at all LOL!
This is such a perfect post-you addressed how I am feeling right now. I see so many kids with anxiety and depression in my practice and right now it is out of control. I had a new mom this morning who is really struggling with PPD.
I love how you addressed letting go of people and things that no longer serve you. I’m tired. It’s been a tough year and it feels good to let go of that. Thank you so much for sharing this. <3
<3 The kids are struggling, my own included. Heck, I'm struggling. I don't talk abut it a lot, because it's not my focus, but we are definitely tapping our resources to make sure we are ok.
I can relate to alot of this. I am an introvert and this year has made it so easy to just stay home and not see anyone. Before, I at least saw my coworkers regularly. Its good to be back in the office a couple days a week just to have a little human interaction.
Human interaction is definitely good. I have t remind myself of that quite often.
I agree “No” is a complete sentence, but it’s hard to get used to! Interesting on the silence — I am still hooked to my background noise, except when I am working. Then I need silence. I think I am less stressed this May than last, but I am somewhat in denial of changes on the horizon that will stress me out!
I never used to mind noise, but over the years, my brain can’t handle it. We have a Roomba, and my husband can only run it when we are leaving the house, because I can’t stand the sound of it!
OMG, I also love complete silence. I love it even more when I am reading a book. Sometimes in my classroom I like to sit and enjoy the silence. Makes me smile.
It’s funny, isn’t it? I’m glad I’m nat alone!
Isn’t it freeing to let go of the music while running? As much as I love music, I really think I depended on it for running (when I was running solo) or racing. It was kind of a security blanket of sorts. I’d get really stressed if my iPod wasn’t charged or if I’d forget it on race day. When I realized I could be my own mojo, WOW. That released so much race day tension 😉
I haven’t used music in quite some time, and I don’t really miss it.
I’ve definitely let the introvert tendencies take over for me too.
“Sometimes it’s ok to let things come to an end” is so true and such a good reminder. I really like the “‘No’ is a complete sentence” too — I always, always feel like I need to back up my “no’s” with explanations/excuses. Definitely gotta work on that!
Nope. No need to explain if you don’t want to. No is quite enough.
I have always like quiet, it’s kind of a bone of contention between us. I even find just having the tv on mute (Mr. Judy wears headphones most of the time) is still annoying to me.
My father was the same way, always had the tv on & at high volume too. It definitely annoyed my mom!
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Mr PugRunner is the same. The minute he walks in a room, the TV is on. Ugh. That’s not how I grew up – we weren’t big tv watchers, and while I like movies, I don’t need the tv on nonstop.
this is such a great post Jenn. Honestly, I felt so much confirmation reading this. I am going through a lot mentally, what I talk about is only the surface, but for once in my life I feel that I’m managing what I’m going through. And a lot of that has to do with giving myself grace, and just “being” in silence rather than having to have noise around me. And I am totally an extroverted introvert. As much as I love and miss people I do find it even more challenging than before to want to see them and hang out. Not that we are hanging out much these days but, you know…
I’m so glad you find yourself managing. I think a lot of people we’re forced to look inward over the last year, and learn to figure things out, myself included. I struggle getting out, but I force myself. we have a bit more leniency here, and my anxiety doesn’t always help, but here we are. Please reach out if I can help in any way.
Learning to Release things and relationships from my life that stress me out or do not bring me joy has really helped me to feel happier the last few years. It’s hard to do but worth it.This year has been challenging for introverts and extroverts!
Everyone has suffered this year. I don’t think there’s anyone out there who came through untouched in some way.
I love the quote “No” is a complete sentence.” It’s so true and took me years to embrace.
I used to enjoy silence, but then I developed Meniere’s disease and appreciate outside noises to camouflage the constant ringing in my left ear. Now I pretty much always have something on (music or TV) so I don’t focus on the ringing.
The ringing is difficult. My grandmother has Meniere’s and I know it made her miserable.
I’m right there with you in dealing with heightened anxiety last year, and even more so this year. I also released things that didn’t serve me – friendships, material things, etc. I have learned that I need to only give time and attention to things that deserve it. I’ve gotten more into short 5-10 minute meditations and those seem to help me as well.
I’m also an introvert so I know it will take a lot more energy for me to want to go out and do things and be around people this year.
I am glad the meditations help you. So far, I haven’t found the right series for me. Introverts unite!
Jenn, I cannot tell you how much I love this post! I especially appreciate what you said about being willing to let go of things that no longer serve you. This is something I’ve really been working on as this past year has really helped to shine a spotlight on some things/relationships/etc. that have been a drain on me.
<3 I don't wish anyone ill, and I am always here to help those who need me, but sometimes, I just don't have the energy to pretend to be something I'm not. What's the point?
I am an introvert as well. I’d much rather stay home and I prefer silence. Things have gotten very overwhelming over the past year for sure. I’m glad you’ve found ways to sort out what is important to you and have allowed the rest to fall away.
It’s been a hard year for introverts, especially when everyone else is home all the time. I want my house back. It’s a worker in progress.
This is a great post that I can really relate to! I haven’t considered how much noise surrounds me. I’m definitely an audiophile but sitting in silence does sound very refreshing!
I have let go of a lot of things and people over the years. Sometimes I wonder if I was too harsh about it, as I don’t have a ton of friends anymore.
with friends, it’s quality, not quantity. On the one hand, I have friends who I don’t speak to for ages, and then we just pick it right back up. I also have a few friends who are huge parts of my daily life. Sometimes, I feel left out, but then I wonder why I feel that way. If we don’t relate, or I don’t enjoy doing what they do, what’s the point? I don’t cut anyone out so I don’t feel like I’m being harsh, but protective of my heart and time.
What a great post! Thanks for sharing. I find a lot of runners are introverts. Do we naturally gravitate towards a mostly solo sport?
Life’s too short to hang on to things that don’t bring you joy. Sounds like you are doing all the right things to be your best self. Good luck.
<3 I'm definitely trying.