It is with insurmountable joy and gratitude that I’m announcing I have just accepted a position at the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute as a Psychiatric Technician. This job is a dream come true, and I’m hoping it will lead me to more work in the mental health field. I’ve been exploring careers in the mental health field off and on since I was bullied in middle school and developed a relationship with my school counselor. I used to want to grow up to be just like her, and I’m so thrilled to finally be making some moves in that direction. I am equally as thrilled that the job is located here in Nashville, so I can still be with my family!

I want to thank the mental health professionals who have taught me and inspired me; it is because of you that I aspire to work in this field. Thank you so much for everything you do.

 

 

Nothing is interesting.

Nothing is special.

Nothing is amazing.

Everything is boring.

Everything is difficult.

Everything is average.

 

What it’s like to have depression.

I’m sorry, I really wish I could care, but I just don’t. I’m trying so hard. I wish taking a pill every morning didn’t seem like the hardest fucking thing I’ve ever had to overcome. I wish I didn’t cry thinking about my future because I don’t see one for me anymore. I wish I was motivated to pursue passions, and I wish that I didn’t think the result of my actions- when they do eventually happen- weren’t complete garbage.

Having depression sucks. And I’m getting really tired of it. I miss caring about things.

 

 

Big win today! I am officially seven weeks free of self-harm! This is a major win for me, and lately I have not been celebrating any of my wins, so I’m going to take the time to celebrate this one.

Some other wins I’ve made since being home:

• Got a job within a few days of being back home
• Made a friend here in Nashville (Duuuuukes!)
• Went out and shot some photos at a local park
• Used my tools to overcome high urges
• Supplemented meals as needed

 

If anyone has ideas of ways to celebrate, comment below!

While I’m home, I’m going to work on getting into better habits. One of those will be writing more regularly! I was writing often when I was in treatment, but now that I’m not, I don’t keep up with this blog like i used to!

Once again, I’ll have to challenge my perfectionism. Even if the post is short, I’m still going to publish it.

 

Like this one.

My biggest fear. Might as well cut to the chase, since it’s what you’re all here for.

I’m terrified of never achieving greatness in any aspect of my life.

I feel average at everything I do.  Writing, ASL, singing, songwriting, poetry, directing, stage management, photography, critiquing art…etc. etc. etc. Even my work ethic is average.

Now, I recognize that some of these things I have just begun and therefore I can’t accurately judge whether I will be good at them or not. And often my depression gets in the way of me really pushing myself. So I don’t even know if I will ever be able to work towards greatness. But so far, I feel perfectly average.

And that makes me wonder if I will ever be great at anything. Or will I just coast through everything I set off to do? My latest adventures has been making music; songwriting, and I want to learn how to play an instrument (well, more than one instrument, but that’s beside the point), but I bet I won’t be any good at that, either.

I was watching the movie Megan Leavey, which begins with Megan feeling aimless and lonely, so she joins the Marines. Now, I don’t want to join the Marines, however, I do feel very similar to the way the character Megan does in the film. And all that aimlessness and average feelings lead me to feel pretty hopeless. It makes me wonder what the future holds for me.

I have just moved home to figure out what the hell I’m going to do with my life, and how I am going to support myself while doing something I enjoy. It’s hard for me to accept that I will be good at anything I do if I don’t enjoy it.

Fortunately, I am feeling healthy enough to know that just because I feel aimless now doesn’t mean the feeling will last forever. Sasha has been trying to tell me just to give up, but I’m not letting her win!

Good evening, readers!

It’s an exciting day today. My friend just sent me the finished song that I wrote and recorded with him! The good news? I’m going to let you listen to it!

Normally I would be petrified to share anything like this with you; but this song is very special to me and I’m going to set aside my fears today because I want to share this piece of music with you. Unlike many things I do, I am very proud of this.

My dear friend, Skyler Garn, co-wrote and recorded this for me. I couldn’t have done this without him.

You can listen to it here: https://soundcloud.com/user-376535138/independent-lady 

 

PS- I’m planning on starting a Perfectionist Group on Facebook! This group will aim to help squelch those pesky perfectionistic thoughts by encouraging posts of projects/artwork/writing/chores/etc. etc. etc. that may not be 100% perfect in your eyes. The group is meant to be encouraging and nonjudgmental. Please let me know if you would like to be a part of it!

PPS- A lot of people have been asking me how my move to Nashville went and how it feels being back home with my parents. The move was long but good, and I am happy to be home! I don’t think it’s hit me yet that I won’t be returning to LA anytime soon, but at the same time I’ve already done a lot of thinking about my career and the steps I will be able to make towards figuring out what it is I want to do! So far I’m excited and a bit nervous and anxious. However, I am extremely happy to be with my family and my doggo. A more detailed post is forthcoming.