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Dawn Friesen's avatar

Hi Rachel, I made a huge shift towards self-care last night. I still get teary eyed just thinking about it. I went to an in-person NAMI family support meeting last night. The beautiful souls there were so encouraging and had good suggestions for local resources for help.

My way to cope with living with an angry, sometimes violent mentally ill daughter (age 25) was to hide and be as invisible as possible. I was scared to peek out from my behind my defense wall to reach out for help. Now I am so grateful that I did and I plan to attend regularly!

Thank you Rachel for your support and encouragement to make self-care a non-negotiable necessity for all of us in difficult situations.

With much love and gratitude,

Dawn Friesen

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Rachel, I'm sitting at my desk on a bright spring morning here in northern Indiana. I noticed yesterday that the forsythias are in bloom. While driving my kids to school, I thought, "I wish I felt like that - that chipper sunshine yellow, but all that's been inside this long, lonely winter has been a diluted, dulled color. Maybe pastel yellow will have to do."

I'm aware of SAD and have been using light therapy for several years during the darkest months, but I hadn't heard of spring sadness before your post today. I'm pondering this now, Rachel.

Also, I've been in that head space where I've wondered if the world would be better off without me. I've been there a lot these last 4 years. Rachel, I just want you to know that it's a comfort to witness the ways we are connected to each other in this world, especially as you share this type of darkness with others.

I'm glad you show up every day. I realize that the compassion I feel for those who are desolate and despondent is the same compassion I need - and am learning, trying - to give myself.

Finally, thanks for mentioning me. You are such a treasure. I just want to thank you for sharing your tender heart. It helps me keep mine open to live and to love every day. 💕

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