Urgent Care

Hello friend 🫶

Checking in… where are you post Thanksgiving?

Here’s what I know- though I may feel like it, this is not a time to check out but to tenderly check in with myself and see where I am and how I am feeling.

How can we know the difference between if something is urgent or emergent when it comes to our mental health and wellness?

What are some signs for you that things are starting to break down?

Do you know when you are nearing a crisis?

Photo by Silvestri Matteo on Unsplash

We’ve had sickness going through our entire household for the past 5 weeks! My husband has been to urgent care twice and my son once. Both of whom are prone to viruses going straight to their lungs. So we can never be too careful.

I’m on my third week of coughing and not getting proper sleep and it’s no fun. Already feeling like I’m down physically and then throwing a holiday on top of that… forget about it. Get me out of here!!

Year by year, I have grown in awareness and a deeper knowing of myself and what I need to be well. It feels like it has been a lot of tiny baby steps but in recent years it has really felt like I am walking on my own now, but never without support nearby. I also still fall, all the time, but I am able to get back up sooner than I ever was before. This is huge for me.

Year by year, I have grown in awareness and a deeper knowing of myself and what I need to be well.

We have been hosting Thanksgiving in our home ever since we lost our beloved Mammaw (my grandma) 4 years ago January. And 5 years ago this month, we lost my Uncle Joe suddenly, just a few days before Thanksgiving. It’s been a tough transition for all of us. Hosting comes with a lot of responsibility and when you are weighed down by grief or low on spoons¹, it can feel near impossible.

I do enjoy creating comfy cozy spaces where people can gather and be together, but just because it is a holiday doesn’t mean I get all this extra energy to do more than I am usually able to do. Nope. I earn the same allowance of energy dollars, and have to budget wisely how I spend them.

Photo by Emma Frances Logan on Unsplash

Leading up to a holiday can look like me going to bed earlier, having limited events or appointments scheduled on my calendar (I know, seems impossible this time of year right?!), being extra mindful about what I am consuming physically, mentally, emotionally. Doing a daily “pulse check” on my emotions and giving them room to breathe and be acknowledged. Just to name a few.

It’s the very reason I recorded the episode I did this week.

You can listen here 👉 23 | Taking Extra Tender Care of Your Mental Health During Thanksgiving

Pause

Breathe

Become aware

Check in and Reflection Questions: ✍️

1. What is most important to you this week?

2. What do you need for that to happen?

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Just a reminder: I am a Certified Peer Counselor and Wellness Recovery Coach. I use my own lived experience of mental health and wellness recovery to walk alongside others in their recovery. I am not a medical doctor or clinical counselor. I do not attempt to diagnose or prescribe. If you or a loved one needs immediate care, please seek out your nearest health care provider or call 911.

Also be aware that anytime we are talking about mental health, any number of topics could trigger our emotions. Please take precautions while listening and seek out support if needed.

1. The Spoon Theory was written by Christine Miserando. It is a creative way to share with healthy family and friends what it looks like day to day to live with a chronic illness.