Self-Care for Cynics

I found a list on Pinterest called "7 Day Hygge Challenge." Hygge is a Danish word that basically means self-care. In Denmark, they really know their shit. Basically the list had prescribed things you should do each day for a full calendar week starting with Monday. I decided to try it, but not tell anyone incase I failed. Hygge isn't something you need other people's approval for, right? On day one, when it suggested I "unplug," I realized I was going to fail before I even began. So, in true Allison fashion, I decided to not follow the list to the letter, but instead incorporate a few of the suggestions here and there and see if it brought me any joy. I won't list off everything, but here are the items that I did succeed at: 1) Treat yourself to a new candle! I was in Chapters and saw this "Good Vibes Only" candle and knew this was a sign. Never mind that I already have a dozen unfinished candles around my apartment, this one had a m...

Ever hear a song that makes you feel it all? While I was taking down my Christmas tree down yesterday itt felt very quiet in my apartment - too quiet. I decided I needed music. I put Spotify on and played my 2017 most played list. The first song that played was from Florence + Machine's latest album. It was a particularly emotional song - as many of her songs are - and I felt a bit overcome. This is common for me, especially during the post-holiday lull. Instead of skipping the track, I just let it sink in. Sometimes you have to get let yourself feel things before you can move on. I put it on a different playlist after that. Dealing with mild depression and anxiety isn't about trying to put a lid on your feelings - but understand where they're coming from. A minor breakdown over a song isn't a setback, but rather a reminder that I'm human. So, how did my first week of 2018 go? It went forward and backwards. That is to be expected. I did, however, manage ...

I hate New Year's Day. I've hated it ever since I can remember. While New Year's Eve revealers celebrate the coming of a new year, the morning after just sort of feels like, "Okay, now what?" I woke up this morning and didn't know what to do. This is a new blog for me - I've stayed away from personal blogging for a while now - the practice just sort of fizzled out. But it's a new year, and of course I too have goals. I've decided to dedicate 2018 to self-care. It's a hippy-dippy term for guilt-free indulgence. But it's not an indulgence, it's essential. Happy people believe that all you need to do to be happy is think positively. But people with medically diagnosed mental illnesses know better. Forcing a positive mindset sounds easy on paper - but much harder in practice. How do we flip the switch on negative thoughts? For me, medication is my #1 resource. But lately I've been battling demons and it's exhausting. So ...