Getting Ready For Back To School...And Back To Routine

Summer is winding down, with only a couple of weeks left before my kids, both heading into grade twelve, return to the highschool on Saltpspring Island. I’m happy to see them reunite with their friends and look forward to this being the final year of taking the water taxi. Our early morning routine—leaving at 7:10 AM—is a challenge, especially for me as I need to be up by 6 AM to ensure my medication takes effect before safely driving. The long days, with the water taxi departing at 7:25 AM and returning at 5:45 PM, are a familiar rhythm for us Southern Gulf Islanders, who enjoy a four-day school week.

Time has moved in strange ways this summer. On days when chronic pain is severe, minutes stretch into hours, and hours feel like days. Other days, filled with activity, fly by. Ultimately, my ability to manage the day depends on how well I’m coping with pain. Despite the challenges, and as much as I’ve enjoyed the summer, I’ve grown tired of the break and not having the same structure to my days and am eager to resume my regular school-year routine. 

I’m pleased with my summer accomplishments. My focus on organizing the house, developing new business products and online content, and prioritizing physical and mental health has yielded positive results. These steps are essential for my overall recovery and fuel my motivation. After over a year of taking a mental health break, I'm particularly excited about reigniting my creativity and getting back to living the life of an artist.

Paul and his dad are working hard to transform an older fifth wheel we were given into a studio for me and a sewing space for my mother-in-law. We have big plans for this project, including painting the exterior in my brand colors and creating a welcoming and well organized interior. Once the major renovations are complete, like taking out the bathtub and appliances, we can move in our belongings. Val and I are thrilled to have dedicated creative spaces outside our home and are buy gathering things to help set up our space.

This summer has been a wonderful time for family bonding. We’ve enjoyed countless adventures, from fun craft projects to ice cream outings at the marina and family dinners. I’ve also made significant strides in my online presence and creative endeavors, and am slowly setting up my equipment so that I can start filming for my YouTube channel. I'm eager to share the fruits of my labor in the coming months. 

As summer draws to a close, I feel a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. The balance of challenges and triumphs has shaped this season, and I’m grateful for the time spent with family and the progress made toward my goals. The upcoming months promise new adventures, creative pursuits, and the return of familiar routines.

#meredithhutton79, #chronicpain, #complexpain, #invisibledisability, #ComplexRegionalPainSyndrome, #CRPS, #depression, #anxiety, #PostTraumaticStressDisorder, #PTSD, #selfcare, #painwarrior, #spoontheory, #spoonie, #pain, #back pain, #neuropathic pain, #painmanagement, #SuicideDisease, #GalianoIsland, #Galiano

Quotes That Had An Impact

I'm a bit of a quote junky when it comes to finding the right quote for the right circumstance and love finding that perfect one that clicks with me and encourages me to live up to my potential. I use them on my cards, and even of I just need inspiration to get myself motivated and back on track. I love a good quote. 

Here are 12 quotes I've come across over the last few weeks, that are clicked with me living a more enriched and balanced life and celebrating my personal growth. There they are: 

And a bonus 13:

#meredithhutton79, #chronicpain, #complexpain, #invisibledisability, #ComplexRegionalPainSyndrome, #CRPS, #depression, #anxiety, #PostTraumaticStressDisorder, #PTSD, #selfcare, #painwarrior, #spoontheory, #spoonie, #pain, #back pain, #neuropathic pain, #painmanagement, #SuicideDisease, #GalianoIsland, #Galiano, #MotivationalQuotes, #InspirationalQuotes, #ChronicPainQuotes

What Are 5 Ways To Inspire Creativity When You Are Depressed

I suffer from depression, among other things, it’s no secret. It’s also no secret that being an artist and creative person helps me cope with my chronic pain and mental health issues. It’s a positive way for me focus my time on something that benefits my mental health. Being creative means so many things to me. It's important to acknowledge that depression can significantly impact motivation and energy levels, making it challenging to engage in creative activities, even if they are something that you enjoy and have always benefitted from doing. Sometimes the motivation just isn’t there. This is something I battled with last year during my nervous breakdown. I was too overwhelmed to even think about being creative, something that I would have thought would have been positive given my high distress. But it was the opposite. Creating from scratch felt intimidating and stressful. So I put my arts and crafts supplies to the side and started focusing on me. I went to counseling, I started a more formal journaling practice, I worked in self help workbooks, I worked on creating a routine, and my creativity consisted of me colouring in various themed colouring books, with my alcohol markers, and journaling. It took around a year for me to get back to creating my own stuff again. It was just all too overwhelming. On boxing day I cleaned off my desk, and sat down to work, making a promise to myself to  make time every day to be creative. I’m so glad that I am back at it. As soon as I sat down in my desk chair, and took out a pen, I felt a meaningful familiarity, like I was going home after a long time away. But I needed some time off to focus on myself. Now I’m knee deep in inspiration and creativity. But it took pushing through and being consistent in my routines to find it again. 

Engaging in creative activities has always been a helpful way for me to cope with my chronic pain and mental health issues, like my depression and since the kids were babies I have made things to sell. But it wasn’t until we moved to Galiano Island in 2017 and I’d lived here a couple of years, before I officially started calling myself an artist. 

When you are always in pain, finding inspiration can be challenging. I’m learning how to use my pain and depression as a source of inspiration for my creative identity. 

Here are 5 ways to try and inspire creativity when you're feeling depressed:

1. Start Small and Simple: Don't pressure yourself to create a masterpiece. Doodle, write a few lines of poetry, or try a simple craft project. The goal is to engage your mind without overwhelming it. This is such good advice. After my nervous breakdown and my creativity break, I found it a bit overwhelming figuring out what I wanted to creatively do, and not knowing what about the creative process was causing me stress. So I decided I would go through my art and business supply bookshelf and pick something from there to do. I wasn’t focusing on sales, or anything like that. I just wanted something creative to do so that I could get back into the creative process and creating my things again. I ended up finding my kids’ Shrinky Dinks shrinking plastic sheets and making “Galiano” ID tags that I then used to make Hazelwood bead bracelets. So I got out my beading supplies and my mother-in-law Val and I got to work making our Galiano bracelets. We enjoyed it so much we ended up ordering more Shrinky Dink sheets to make more jewelry out of them. Val and I made earrings, pins/broaches, keychains and bracelets out of popular characters we drew on the Shrinky Dinks. It’s been good fun.

2. Engage Your Senses: Take a walk in nature, listen to music, or experiment with different textures. Sensory experiences can spark new ideas and emotions that you can channel into your creative work. I like going for walks at Bellhouse Park with someone that doesn’t mind if we go slow or to help me down anything that looks steep. Usually I go with my husband or my best friend. I also like sitting outside on our property, given we live on 11.5 actress of mostly forested land. Especially at night when you can hear all the frogs in our pond and if you are lucky enough, you’ll get to hear the owls talking to each other from different locations across our property. I’m not one to listen to music if I’m doing something as it splits my focus and my brain feels gross with too many competing sounds while trying to think and work on a task or project, but many people like having music playing in the background while they work. I also like lighting incense and have a nice collection of different incense sticks to burn, depending on what I feel like. I have a beautiful tree of life cone incense holder which is so relaxing to lose yourself in the smoke traveling down and collecting at the bottom like waterfalls down to a pool. I also like the smell and taste of cannabis so smoking a joint is one of my favourite rewards I give myself for a job well done. The flavours of different strains, their terpenes, and how smooth they are, are all different and things I enjoy. 

3. Revisit Old Hobbies: Think about activities you used to enjoy and try revisiting them. This can help you reconnect with a part of yourself that may feel dormant due to depression. This is exactly what I did when I looked through the arts and crafts supplies I had to see what I found that inspired me. I do this every so often too. I find some supplies, and I see what I can do with those supplies that is creative and original. It’s pretty much how I’ve come up with all my products. Picking up where you last left off on a craft or piece of art can be inspiring and give you almost a second wind to work on and finish it. I love finding older craft supplies and making new things out of them. It’s also how I came up with my Collage Cards; I took arts and craft supplies, scrapbooking embellishments, stickers, rhinestones, etc. and started gluing them and putting them on recycled kraft cardstock cards or scrapbooking cardstock to make special all occasion greeting cards. I called this new product Collage Cards and they’ve been quite popular. My mother-in-law does them with me and we have great fun in making our cards. 

4. Collaborate or Seek Inspiration from Others: Join a creative group or workshop, or simply spend time with people who inspire you. Sometimes, interacting with others can reignite your own creative spark. I would love to get into an art group, or open studio time, to share my creativity with other like minds. I want to take pottery classes, as well as learn to paint and sketch faces, and am hoping that I can make these two things happen next year. I’ve also been thinking a lot recently about finding a way to take some art classes from a college or university in the future. I always wanted to go to art school, and lately I’m feeling like I missed out. Maybe in the near future I can take some classes. 

5. Express Your Emotions: Creativity can be a powerful outlet for expressing difficult emotions. Try journaling, painting, or writing music to process your feelings and find new perspectives. This is why my journaling practice has been so beneficial to me. It’s a way for me to process my intense emotions surrounding my chronic pain and the mental devastation it causes in a way that clicks with my brain. I don’t know if I would have made it through last year if I didn’t have journaling. In July of this year (2024) I finally stopped talking about wanting to write my story, and I started writing my story in the form of a blog about chronic pain. I also am sharing those blog posts on social media. This blog is a healthy outlet and way to share everything I’ve experienced and learned with respect to chronic pain. It’s a way for me to help others in my situation and let them know they are not weird, or alone, in their struggles. I hope to be a valued resource and a place where people can feel safe in their thoughts.

Navigating the path of creativity while dealing with depression requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to experiment. By starting small, engaging your senses, revisiting old hobbies, seeking inspiration from others, and expressing your emotions, you can gradually rekindle your creative spark and find solace in artistic expression. Remember, the journey itself is as important as the destination. Embrace the process, celebrate your progress, and don't hesitate to seek professional help if needed.

Let's support each other in our creative endeavors and foster a community where everyone feels empowered to express themselves authentically. Together, we can navigate the complexities of depression and discover the transformative power of creativity.

Remember, creativity is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself, celebrate small victories, and don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.

#meredithhutton79, #chronicpain, #complexpain, #invisibledisability, #ComplexRegionalPainSyndrome, #CRPS, #depression, #anxiety, #PostTraumaticStressDisorder, #PTSD, #selfcare, #painwarrior, #spoontheory, #spoonie, #pain, #back pain, #neuropathic pain, #painmanagement, #SuicideDisease, #GalianoIsland, #Galiano, #Depression

More Uplifting Quotes

Navigating the complexities of chronic illness or persistent pain can be a lonely and isolating experience. Amidst the physical challenges and emotional turmoil, the presence of genuine friends can become a lifeline, offering solace, understanding, and unwavering support. True friends transcend the boundaries of illness, providing a safe space for expression, validation, and shared laughter. Their companionship combats feelings of isolation, bolstering self-esteem and offering a crucial sense of belonging. 

The mental benefits of friendship extend far beyond mere companionship; they foster resilience, reduce stress, and promote overall emotional well-being, proving that even amidst adversity, the human connection remains an indispensable source of strength and healing. 

Below are 10 quotes about friendship that resonated me:

In the journey through life, and especially when facing challenges like chronic illness or pain, the power of friendship cannot be underestimated. As these quotes so beautifully illustrate, friends offer not just companionship, but a lifeline of support, understanding, and love. They are the gardeners of our souls, the shelter in our storms, and the honey to our days. So, let us cherish and nurture these precious bonds, for in the tapestry of life, friendship is one of the most vibrant threads. 

#meredithhutton79, #chronicpain, #complexpain, #invisibledisability, #ComplexRegionalPainSyndrome, #CRPS, #depression, #anxiety, #PostTraumaticStressDisorder, #PTSD, #selfcare, #painwarrior, #spoontheory, #spoonie, #pain, #back pain, #neuropathic pain, #painmanagement, #SuicideDisease, #GalianoIsland, #Galiano, #InspirationalQuotes, #MotivationalQuotes, #ChronicPainQuotes

Bounce Back Online Mental Health Program

I was going through old paperwork a few months ago, deciding what to keep and what to shred, when I came across the booklets and paperwork that were sent to me in 2010 from a Canadian mental health support program I took part in called Bounce Back. 

Bounce Back: Your Free Path to Mental Wellness in Canada and BC

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, when you have chronic pain it's easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. The good news is that you don't have to face these challenges alone. If you're struggling with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or stress related to a chronic health condition, the "Bounce Back" program might be just what you need.

What is Bounce Back?

Bounce Back is a free, evidence-based skill-building and mental health program to adults and youths 15+ offered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to help self-manage your depression and anxiety. Working either online or in workbooks, and with a trained coach, Bounce Back is designed to equip you with practical skills to manage your mental health, improve your mood, and build resilience. By participating in Bounce Back, you will have access to tools that will support you on your journey to mental wellness. The program focuses on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques and is designed to help adults and older youth manage depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health challenges and help you identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. People can self-refer or get a referral from a healthcare provider. Bounce Back has many benefits which include developing coping skills, which increase confidence, reducing symptoms and accessing support.

Who Can Benefit from Bounce Back?

Bounce Back is ideal for adults and older youth (15+) experiencing:

• Mild to moderate depression or anxiety.

• Stress related to a chronic health condition.

• Difficulty coping with life's challenges.

How to Sign Up for Bounce Back

Getting started with Bounce Back is simple:

1. Self-Referral: Visit the Bounce Back website (https://bouncebackbc.ca/) and complete the online self-referral form.

2. Referral from a Healthcare Provider: Talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional about Bounce Back. They can provide you with a referral to the program.

Program Formats

Bounce Back offers flexible formats to fit your needs and preferences:

• Online: Access the program's interactive online platform at your own pace.

• Telephone Coaching: Receive one-on-one support from a trained coach over the phone.

• In-person Groups: Join group sessions facilitated by a skilled group leader (availability may vary depending on your location).

• Workbooks: Utilize workbooks for self-guided learning.

  

The Benefits of Bounce Back

Bounce Back has helped countless individuals improve their mental well-being by completing the course. Here's how it can benefit someone, like myself, managing chronic illness:

• Develop Coping Skills: Learn practical strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Improve Mood: Experience a boost in your overall mood and outlook on life.

• Build Resilience: Enhance your ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges.

• Increase Confidence: Gain confidence in your ability to manage your mental health.

• Reduce Symptoms: Experience a reduction in the severity of your symptoms.

• Access Support: Receive guidance and encouragement from trained coaches or group facilitators.

  

Take the First Step

When you are struggling to make it through the day, day after day, Bounce Back can emerge as a lighthouse offering hope for those of us grappling with varying degrees of severity for depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health challenges. Its accessibility, evidence-based approach, and flexible formats make it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their mental well-being. By fostering coping skills, resilience, and a positive outlook, Bounce Back empowers individuals to navigate life's hurdles with confidence and embrace a brighter future. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and Bounce Back is a testament to the fact that support is readily available. If you or someone you know is struggling, consider taking the first step towards a healthier mind with Bounce Back. I have signed up to do this course again, and will be blogging about my progress. 

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek immediate help by calling 911 or contacting a crisis hotline in your area.

#meredithhutton79, #chronicpain, #complexpain, #invisibledisability, #ComplexRegionalPainSyndrome, #CRPS, #depression, #anxiety, #PostTraumaticStressDisorder, #PTSD, #selfcare, #painwarrior, #spoontheory, #spoonie, #pain, #back pain, #neuropathic pain, #painmanagement, #SuicideDisease, #GalianoIsland, #Galiano, #BounceBack

10 Ways Journaling Is Good For Your Mental and Physical Health

In today's fast-paced and overstimulated world, finding moments of quiet reflection is more important than ever. Taking time out of my day to quietly reflect what it is I’m prompted to write has benefitted my overall mental health. Journaling offers a simple yet powerful way to connect with your thoughts and feelings, fostering mental well-being. Below are 5 reasons journaling is good for your mental health:

1. Stress Reduction: Journaling provides a safe space to vent frustrations and anxieties. The act of putting worries onto paper can help release pent-up emotions, easing the burden of stress. I find when I name the emotion I’m feeling strongly about, and write about it, I am processing that emotion in a healthy and constructive way so that I can move on from it. I began this practice last year and I look forward to the times in my day I put aside to write. 

2. Improved Mood: Reflecting on positive experiences and gratitude in a journal can uplift your mood and cultivate a sense of optimism. Research suggests that gratitude journaling can increase happiness levels. I have had a gratitude practice for years and it is something I practice daily with a guided exercise or journal prompt. I find that when I write down 3 things I am grateful for every day, I am able to see the world through a new set of eyes. These more positive, more compassionate and more supportive set of eyes allow me to grow and evolve as a person. 

3. Enhanced Self-Awareness: Journaling encourages introspection. By examining your thoughts and behaviors,you gain a deeper understanding of your motivations, strengths, and areas for growth. This is so important. My journal is my safe place, and where I can work through any challenges I might be going through without fear of judgment or ridicule. It allows me to process at my own speed and in my own way some of the more difficult emotions that can be overwhelming for me. I am who I am and writing every day for over a year has helped me learn to be me again, the way I want to be. I have finished a number of journals, but the one that had the most profound effect on me was the Buddhist Enlightenment journal I completed as it really had me digging deep. A close second are the Soul Therapy series of journals. Writing about a multitude of topics and times in your life, what you’ve learned and what you’d like to accomplish, all while loving yourself, has had a positive impact on my mood and mental health. 

4. Problem-Solving: Writing about challenges can help clarify your thoughts and generate potential solutions. Journaling can serve as a valuable tool for decision-making and overcoming obstacles. I enjoy the practice of writing things out, percolating over them, rewriting them, then editing further, until it’s just right and the solution presents itself. Writing out any doubts or worries actually helps me process all my negative self-emotions and has helped me realize that I am a kind and compassionate person, a talented artist, and a champion for pain warriors.

5. Boost to Creativity: Journaling sparks creativity. Whether through free writing, drawing, or list-making, expressing yourself on paper can unlock new ideas and perspectives and expose you to a whole new world. In journaling regularly I have found the part of myself I thought was missing and lost forever. I found myself on a journey of self discovery, where I began to learn to love myself again. Last year in addition to the journals and workbooks on various mental health issues I’ve worked through, I got into bullet journaling, a journaling process/format in which you can customize your own journal pages using stencils of page spreads for calendars, day planners, to do lists, special event pages, and anything else. I like to make mine colourful and bright and I have my favourite gel pens I use. I have so much fun using my stencils and pens that I think I sometimes put more effort into how it’s going to look than what I write in it. I love looking back at what I wrote about my day or accomplishments and appreciate the effort I put into making such a memorable keepsake. Filling a journal from front to back is quite an accomplishment and I have volumes of journals. Writing has also helped get me out of my head and motivated me to get back into creating. This summer I really got back into my arts and crafts and creating unique art and starting a new product line of journals and planners, stickers and household decor, I called “Galia-Notes”. Feeling free enough to start creating again has been such a magical experience and has made such a difference to my overall mental wellbeing. I feel accomplished and proud of myself for creating an online presence with respect to chronic pain, and creating a lifestyle brand that celebrates personal growth. I have plans to write a book next year based on all my blog posts on pain, as well as a chronic pain journal. 

5 Ways Journaling Can Improve Your Health

Beyond mental well-being, journaling can positively impact your overall health. I look forward to the times in the day that I’ve carved out for journaling. It helps me feel grounded and more sure of myself. My self esteem has definitely improved. Here are five ways that journaling can benefit you:

1. Strengthened Immune System: Studies have shown that expressive writing can improve immune function, potentially reducing the frequency and severity of illness. What we are learning now from healthcare providers is that chronic illness is usually a product of trauma. Journaling is one way to strengthen your mental health and if you have a journaling practice, it is likely that you also have other ways of coping that are healthy as well. 

2. Reduced Blood Pressure: Research suggests that journaling about stressful experiences can lower blood pressure, contributing to better cardiovascular health. This totally makes sense. When I’m journaling, my breathing goes into a smooth and consistent rhythm, my mind is focused on what I’m writing, and I get into a meditative state. When I’m meditating in Apple Fitness Plus, my Apple Watch tracks my heartrate on the screen, and as I get deeper and deeper into the meditation, my heart rate lowers. Due to medications and stress from being in severe pain all the time, my heart rate is usually high, and almost always over 100. When doing something mindful while listening to the meditations in Apple Fitness Plus I can get my heartrate down into the 90s, and sometimes even into the 80s.

3. Improved Sleep: Writing before bed can help calm the mind and promote restful sleep. Journaling can be a relaxing alternative to screen time before bed. This is a habit I got into last year, by doing a daily reflection guided exercise at the end of my day, and continuing on in the journal I’m currently writing in. I do actually sleep better after having written down any stress or worries, and it’s part of my evening routine.

4. Pain Management: Expressing feelings about chronic pain through journaling can help reduce its intensity and improve coping mechanisms. This has been huge for me. Having a safe place to share my innermost thoughts has been a life saver and is an activity that I’ve come to rely on to get through the day. It provides a much needed distraction from what my body is enduring.

5. Faster Wound Healing: Studies have indicated that expressive writing can accelerate wound healing, showcasing the mind-body connection. This one was new to me…but makes total sense if we look at the mind body and trauma connection. 

Journaling offers a multitude of benefits for both mental and physical health. Whether you prefer structured prompts or free-flowing thoughts, incorporating journaling into your routine can be a valuable investment in your well-being. So grab a pen and paper, and start reaping the rewards! You won’t regret that you did.

Note: Remember that journaling is a personal practice. There's no right or wrong way to do it. Experiment with different styles and find what resonates best with you.

#meredithhutton79, #chronicpain, #complexpain, #invisibledisability, #ComplexRegionalPainSyndrome, #CRPS, #depression, #anxiety, #PostTraumaticStressDisorder, #PTSD, #selfcare, #painwarrior, #spoontheory, #spoonie, #pain, #back pain, #neuropathic pain, #painmanagement, #SuicideDisease, #GalianoIsland, #Galiano, #Journaling, #BulletJournal, #PainJournal, #Resilience