DAY 11: THE TRUTH OF TODAY

WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE THESE DAYS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO GIVE SPACE TO BE HEARD, TO BE SEEN (BE IT TOUGH OR JOYFUL...ALL OF IT IS WELCOME).

This is space for you to freely write about what is going on for you right now. I really encourage you to pause and take your selfie (or 10 of them) first and then come here and let the words flow. This isn't the kind of selfie you need to conceptualize or plan, so just grab the camera and offer yourself that space.

From June 11, 2022: Today, in the @beyourownbeloved challenge I’ve been working through, we have permission to pause and reflect on whatever is going on in our lives... So this reflection is more like what I usually do here with my daily selfies. And I admit that the last few weeks have seen me #slip again. But I have taken steps to hopefully put the brakes on another free-fall.

I had an assessment with @kwantlenu counselling to get back to regular sessions, which are so needed.

I had a complete physical #examination with my primary care physician, and was sent for blood work.

I got a new set of #prescriptions for my #anxiety, #depression, #diabetes, and high blood pressure. I’m nervous about taking these again though - most notably the anxiety and depression #medication. When I started them in January they knocked me right out. My doctor said the psychiatrist who prescribed them had a plan where the dosage would change after 30 days, so I should try and stick to the plan he had. So I think maybe my body will get used to the medication? I dunno. I know I need to eat better, and get more exercise. But if the pills knock me out I don’t have energy for exercise and then I end up sleeping more and falling further behind. But I’m going to try my best not to fall behind. By being more gentle with myself, and getting a little bit done everyday.

But I’m also worried about my Mum. She’s had several bad falls lately, but trying to get her to reach out for help has been difficult. They come on without warning. She has an #MRI scheduled for this evening. So I hope that goes well. I don’t talk a lot about my Mum on this platform, outside of mentioning the odd fight we have had. She’s a good person, and has a lot of love in her heart. She’ll go the distance for those closest to her. Life hasn’t always been good to her though. She has a myriad of health issues: arthritis, diabetes, degenerative disc disorder, fibromyalgia, and heart disease to name a few. Sometimes I think it would be easier to list things she hasn’t dealt with. I try to help her out as best I can. But my own major depressive disorder hasn’t always made things easy on that front. But I try.

This was originally posted on Instagram and Flickr.

162/365.

THIS ACTIVITY IS REALLY ABOUT SHOWING UP FOR YOURSELF AND GIVING YOURSELF THE SPACE TO BE HEARD...BY YOU. IT'S ONE I HOPE YOU MIGHT USE REGULARLY TO SUPPORT YOURSELF. WHAT ARE SOME OTHER WAYS YOU CAN OFFER YOURSELF SUPPORT IN YOUR LIFE?

Perhaps it is time for yourself, or something you might do? Or maybe even rest. There is no right or wrong answer to this..let it spill out here and see what ideas you might come up with or come back to this space later as the ideas arise. This isn't to do while class is in session, but is simply something to ponder offering yourself!

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Today’s photo prompt and reflective journaling questions for today was a part of the BE YOUR OWN BELOVED photo workshop challenge which is run several times throughout the year by photographer VIVIENNE McMASTER. It’s well worth signing up for, and doing alongside other participants. Note that there’s no requirement to share your photos outside of the group. You don’t even have to share the writing reflections with the group, let alone publicly as I do. It’s a very supportive and private safe space that McMaster provides.

@beyouroewnbeloved @beyourownbelovedportraits