Pro Tip: You deserve happiness.

So, I’m going to an intensive in-patient treatment center.

When I first heard about it, I thought about the stereotypical mental hospital. However, as I’m going through the process of setting up my admission and it definitely seems a hell of a lot different (in a good way) than my first impressions.

Anyways, what I’m thinking is that I might keep a detailed journal describing what it’s really like. For a long time, I feared being locked up or admitted. That prevented me from reaching out to the full extent of what I was struggling with.

I wonder if a firsthand, in-the-moment log of my experience may help others who fear needing that level of help. What do you all think?

Don’t forget to celebrate the small things.

To some people, it feels like you’re doing the bare minimum. However, if you’re doing things even when they extremely hard for you (in regards to taking care of yourself), you need to remember that you’re a fucking badass for doing it and you’re doing amazing.

Today, I ate before noon for the first time in weeks. My mom smiled and congratulated me, saying I did good. My girlfriend was proud of me and let me know it. It’s hard for me to love myself or affirm myself for doing these things I feel like I should be able to do easily, but those simple words of praise made a big difference.

jujusmentalhealth:

Casual reminder that you are the most important thing in your life.

You are top priority.

Nothing comes before you and your self care.

You are allowed to be self interested.

Some Self-Care Apps

self-care-strategies:

Here are some self-care/self-help apps I have tried out, and I think they might be useful to you all! Most of these are free, and some have extra paid features. Enjoy! 

Fabulous: beautifully designed app centered around goal-oriented routine building with alarm reminders and positive feedback. Android 

Flowy Beta: a game which is still in beta, and consists of breathing exercises to help combat anxiety and panic attacks.Android | iOS

Forest: wonderfully designed app to help keep you focused and off your phone by growing a cute little virtual forest every time you focus for a certain amount of time. Android | iOS

HabitRPG/Habitica: habit-building app which reminds me of my experience point system. Very charming, especially for people who like video games! Web | Android | iOS

MoodTools: a CBT-like guide on dealing with depression which features a diagnostic test, helpful videos, thought diary, activity tracker, and safety plan. Excellent for monitoring thoughts and feelings! Android | iOS 

Pacifica: gorgeous CBT app for anxiety and depression which focuses on mood tracking and meditation. Android | iOS

Plant Nanny: cute water intake tracking app which lets you grow your own virtual plants! Android | iOS | Windows

Puzzle Retreat: not really a self-care/self-help app. It’s a relaxing sliding puzzle game with wonderful sound design. Android | iOS | Windows 

Twilight: again, not really a self-care/self-help app, but it filters out blue light from your phone to reduce eye strain during the evening and help you sleep better. Lots of customizable options! Android  

I hope it’s okay if I add one!

Mood Tracker: A great app that is an anonymous mood journal- you can see the moods other people are posting, and can heart or comment on this. Often, you get words of encouragement and whatnot from the total strangers! It’s therapeutic– I know it’s for Android. Sorry, I don’t have a link. ^^; Also, it’s a good way to keep track of how you feel for personal reference or to show a therapist/doctor.

It’s been said before and it’s indeed cheesy, but please, don’t forget: the elements that compose you are the very same as those which knit all of the constellations of stars in the night sky, which swirl and sway in the fluid grace that is the ocean, which blossom forth in endless hues of fragrant petals. You’re a piece of this universe, you’re crafted by its finest materials. Not only that, but you are made of the exact components that crafted your best friend, you biggest idol, your hero… Everything you admire came from what you already have. You are not an insignificant outlier; you’re entwined with this universe and its order, with a profoundly precise place among us all.

I’m not a slacker for knowing my limits and not forcing myself past them.

This is such a weird and pathetic thing to ask but I could really use some encouragement right now?

Something happened with someone really important to me, and we might just have to cut each other out of one another’s lives to protect the other’s health, but of course it hurts because they’ve been a friend of mine for two years, and I think they absolutely wonderful, but I don’t know if it’s something that can be worked out.

I’m in a lot of emotional distress right now, and my best friend, Milo, is sleeping. I tried calling and texting them to wake them up, but it didn’t work. I’m safe right now and I plan on staying safe, I could just really use some positivity and encouragement.

I try to be an encouraging and sweet person- I just can’t always be as strong as I’d like for you all. ^^;;;;

It’s a good day to take care of myself.

I toasted a piece of raisin bread and put some peanut butter on it. Also grabbed a tall glass of almond milk; I laid out my medications, too. I need to get better at taking care of myself.