Today is one of those days where I just can’t. I have been sitting here trying to figure out why. I believe it is just a long list of items that have piled up along with the ugly doctor appointment this morning. The feeling of being lost started creeping in and I tried to push it away by being busy but it came back and slapped me in the face. I remember these feelings all too well as I am not motivated for even little things like putting all my wet jeans in the dryer. The anxiety has taken over and I can’t breathe. I wear glasses because I can’t sleep and waterproof mascara so my makeup doesn’t run down my cheeks. I want to crawl inside my bed and not talk to the outside world. I am not feeling well as the world has swallowed me whole. I recognize that I needed this day to try and put some pieces back together.

Bought gifts for others at the hospital gift shop.

Do you ever take a day for you? Do you just need a day for recharging your energy? Do you feel bad for needing one? Mental health is an interesting topic as it is becoming more talked about but I feel is still a taboo subject. Should businesses have mental health days built in to their benefits? I believe employers should as employees barely leave when they are sick via physical or mental as afraid of getting behind on work or not having enough PTO built up. Does society make this okay for us to bring this to light?
This produces a lot of issues of presenteeism and absenteeism in workplaces which in results in reduce productivity. I struggle with taking time off as I have seen firsthand how fast PTO hours can go during cancer and then the fear lingers that I need to make sure I have enough in case something happens. I also worry about putting work on my co-worker’s shoulders as I don’t want them to have to do more because I am out. Do our friends and family support this idea of a mental health day? If you truly love someone then this should be an easy answer as we need to be there for each other. The world is a cruel place and I saw that in the news and on social media a lot this past week. How can we put people down when they are really struggling with an obvious mental health issue? Do we look in the mirror? We all make mistakes and there should be no judgement.  We need to start putting ourselves first.

Comfort food for lunch…

This is going to look different on everyone as this is not a one size fits all type of day. Does this day involve ones you love or being by yourself? Do you sleep or watch television all day? How about reading a book or a magazine that has been sitting in your drawer? Does having pets around you help you get through tough moments? Do you shut your phone off or ignore Social Media? Maybe it is a hot shower, your favorite music, or meditation that helps.  You can see from the pictures throughout the post of what my day consisted of. I know by even having this one day that tomorrow I may not be 100% but it is a start to try to put the pieces together. I want to be there for my family and to be present but I can’t do that if I’m struggling. I don’t choose to be this way and I am trying hard to get out of this funk. I challenge you to do something nice for yourself and for someone else as we all have these days.

Music is what moves me and truly changes my perspective when I’m down. I chose a few songs that I listen to a lot and you may have already heard in a previous post.

I Want to Live: Skillet (Click Here)
I want to live my life
The choice is mine, I’ve made up my mind
Now, I’m free to start again
The way I want to live (to live) and breathe (and breathe)
The way I want that’s right for me
I may not know nothing else
But I know this, I want to live

Shed Some Light: Shinedown (Click Here)
I’m falling apart again
And I can’t find a way to make amends
And I’m looking in both directions
But it’s make believe, it’s all pretend

Be Good To Each Other…..Until Next Time……..