Be a Blessing | How to Manage Darker Days

I can remember the conversation clear as day.

Be Kind to Yourself | How to Manage Darker Days

This is part six of a series on how I manage my anxiety. Read the introductory post here. As I’ve browsed articles, read the self-help books, received the solicited and unsolicited advice, I’ve noticed two main paradigm options when relating to yourself on bad days. The first is one of indulgence. Feeling down? Do whatever […]

In Which I Respond to All of My Emails

Now, this might not seem like a big deal to most people but oh-my-days that was so hard. All of those emails were marked as unread because they presented a problem: either too much time, too much feeling, or too much thinking. And yet, I just responded to all of those in-limbo emails in less than an hour and a half, so why the wait?

Anxiety’s Inherent Truth-Editing

I had a mild-medium anxiety attack this morning. I never know to gauge those. If I say it was mild, does that mean it didn’t really happen? If I say it was extreme, does that mean I can’t say anything was worse than? I type this as I’m on spring break. Although breaks are great […]

Know Your Triggers | How to Manage Darker Days

For the longest time, I perceived no rhyme nor reason to my anxiety. It came and went us unpredictably as the wind.

Why Good-byes are the Worst (but Not)

I’ve always been a messy goodbye-sayer. Dormitories where I hung my hammock, trailer homes that shook with the morning stroll, a basement bedroom next to an overly active washing machine…sure, I’m a lover of places. But of course, the pain of leaving is evoked by my torn heart strings wound around those lovely people.

Reality in Christ | How to Manage Darker Days

This is part four of a series on how I manage my anxiety. Read the introductory post here. I’ve been dragging my feet to write this post, because I don’t know how. It’s like the most important part. My friends are fans of the hypothetical. I’ve been asked the following question several times, but I’ve only recently […]

Chosen Reactions

I thought it was a waste of time. I didn’t say that with my mouth, but I said it just as clearly with my face and posture. It was a school-wide program and I was apparently the only one that hadn’t been properly initiated through a two-day-download of information. And so, with a very reluctant […]

Meaningful Relationships | How to Manage Darker Days

Maintaining meaningful relationships amidst anxiety is both extremely difficult and extremely necessary. It’s difficult because when anxious, we often push away those closest and whose care we need the most. It’s necessary because often the only people who can lift our spirits and talk us out of it are those closest to us. I’m running away from that which can help me.

Exercise & Nutrition | How to Manage Darker Days

Countless credible sources report that exercise helps ease anxiety (see here, here, & here). Turns out they were right. After a whole lot of trial and error and starting over and over and over…I’m four months into the most sustainable healthy lifestyle I’ve ever had.