Hi Everyone,
I have been MIA for the last couple of weeks.   I haven't updated my daily gratitude at all!   I am just checking in with everyone to let you know why.  I got a new job!  Isn't that exciting.  It is lower paying than I originally wanted, but it is a huge accomplishment for me!   I wanted to share to give hope to others that life will take care of you and give you what you need.  I have been very focused on getting myself set up in this new routine and have not taken the time to do my DG (Daily gratitude).   And this is ok.  I do not personally know anyone who had been able to keep up with this every day for a long period of time.   I certainly never have.   I will be getting back to the DG this week hopefully, but for today I wanted to know, what are you thankful for?   If you have a hard time keeping up with your daily gratitude, what obstacles have you come across?  If you are one of the people who have been doing it for a long time consistently, what are some tips you have for the rest of us.


Love to all,
Katie

Interesting Article From the Chicago Tribune

If you are interested in some general information about how mental health can be affected by genetics, take a look at this article.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/health/ct-dna-links-to-depression-20160803-story.html

Daily Gratitude August 4, 2016

Hi everyone,

Sorry I am not including pictures today.

1)  I am grateful for my animals.  I know I used this one already but its okay to reuse them.  I love them so much not to be grateful for them every day!

2)  I am grateful to my boyfriend for letting me use his computer all the time as I do not currently have one of my own.

3) I am grateful for the weather outside.  It is looking like it will be a beautiful day :)

Daily Gratitude August 3, 2016

Today I am thankful for:

1)  I got a new job!!!!  I will start on Monday.  After a couple of months looking I was starting to get depressed so I am happy to be no longer unemployed.

2)  I finally got the colored pencils I ordered!!!   Art helps me stay grounded so I cannot wait to start using these!

3)  Bridges.  I don't know why, but they are amazing!

This too shall pass....

Hi everyone!  My friend sent this video to me and I thought I would share it with you.  The idea of telling myself that "this too shall pass" is something that I have used in the past, but have not kept up with.   This video was a fresh reminder of how important it is to change your thinking.   Hope you enjoy!

All the love from me to you,

Katie

Daily Gratitude August 2, 2016

A little later in the day today but here it is,

1)  Pokemon go.   I know the program has some major glitches which are making the game less fun right now but it has gotten me up and moving a lot more.

2)  Ponds.   Or water in any form really. Here is a picture I took yesterday.

3)  Books.  You never feel alone with a good book.

Daily Gratitude August 1, 2016

Hi everyone!  I redid the post from yesterday.  I had composed it on my phone and the images didn't upload correctly.  They are  attached now.   I know today will go better for me than yesterday. And to start it off,  here is what I am already happy about.

1.   I am grateful today for my Fitbit.  I have had it for almost a year now, and I love it.  I have a tendency to sit in front of the television a lot and this helps motivate me to get moving.

2.   I am also grateful for nail polish.  I tried my luck at nail art yesterday.  I didn't fully succeed, but practice makes perfect....hopefully!  (That is supposed to be a starfish).

3.  And I am also grateful for flowers.   They are so beautiful, and they smell so good.   It is easy for us all to pass by them during our busy lives, but taking the time to realize how beautiful they are brings joy to my life every time.

Love to you all,

Katie

Daily Gratitude July 31, 2016

I almost didn't post today.  I had an extremely rough morning.  I started out today with a panic attack. I have been getting these more lately because of increased stress.  This leads me to the first thing I am thankful for:

1.  This blog.  in the past, when I have kept a handwritten gratitude journal, I would have made excuses not do it for that day.  However,  having created this digital one I feel motivated to post, even if only by obligation.    We all have rough days like the one I had today.  That is when we need to be self aware even more than usual.

2.  The new organizing containers that have made my chaotic vanity drawers welcoming again.  I got them at the dollar tree.  I organized my whole vanity for $9.84!

3.   That I discovered this colorful and creative way to hang my make-up brushes after cleaning them.  I am so glad I do not have to reshape them on paper towels anymore!

For anyone else out there who had a down day,  love and support to you!

Lets Talk Awareness

I don't know about you, but I have recently started to see a change in the way the world views mental health.   As a young girl, I always felt ashamed about letting people know about my depression.  Eventually, in high school, I decided not to be ashamed anymore and to talk about it.   I met some people that were very understanding, but I met some people that made it clear that they didn't think depression was an illness.  I remember one girl telling me that there was no science to back up depression and that people just used it as an excuse.   Unfortunately, some people will still try and make you feel crazy today.   You should never feel crazy and alone!  

Recently, more and more celebrities are starting to talk about their battles with depression and anxiety.  This has helped to take some of the societal shaming away from it.   I wanted to post this video of Kristin Bell (I love her!!!) because she mentions something that my mother told me all the time growing up.   If you feel like you should be better than taking medicine or seeking help- don't.  You wouldn't deny a diabetic their insulin and there is no reason to deny someone with depression the medicine or therapies they need.  

Comment below and let me know if you have an experience you want to share or know of any other people who have great stories like this to share.

REMEMBER

Love yourself every day, you deserve it!

Katie

Daily Gratitude July 30th, 2016

Hi everyone!  What are you thankful for today?

I am thankful for...

1.  This shower caddy I got at the container store.  I have wanted a simple human shower caddy for years.  I was finally in a position to buy one a couple of months ago.

2.  I am also thankful for chocolate.  Yummy!!!

3.   Finally, I am thankful for this adorable little notepad.   It was a gift from someone when I left my last job.  Isn't it great?!

Daily Gratitude July 29th, 2016

Its only day two and I almost forgot to do my daily gratitude.  It takes work.  If you ever forget a day don't worry.  Just pick back up again the next.  Here is what I am grateful for today.

1) I am so grateful for Ibuprofen.  I get horrible tension headaches and this is one of the only things that helps.  Woke up with a nasty one this morning!

2)  I am grateful for fountains.  The peaceful sound of running water helps relax me.

3) I am grateful for air conditioning.  It is so hot outside today!

What are you thankful for today?

Hi Everyone!

I turned 28 yesterday and decided to start this year of my life off in the right direction.   Starting today I will be sharing a bit of daily gratitude. Gratitude journals can be a great way to help you bring yourself into the present.   I have done them previously in journal form, but I decided that sharing them with you would be a great way to start sharing the ups of my life.  I highly recommend starting your own gratitude journal if you find yourself depressed or going through a hard time.  If you have a hard time starting, remember that you woke up this morning!  And that is one thing to be incredibly thankful for.

Daily Gratitude

1.  Today I am thankful for my two wonderful pets Ajax (dog) and Spartacus (cat) who always keep me grounded and remind me that love can be unconditional.

2.   I am also grateful today for clean water.   I have a hard time remembering that having basic needs met is something I am lucky to have.

3.   I am grateful for books and coffee.  Two things that always bring me comfort.

What are you grateful for today?

About Me

My name is Katie, and to be honest with you-  I am a hot mess! I have struggled with depression and self-confidence my whole life.  When I was in my early 20's everything started getting worse.  By 25, I had reached a point where I was eating fast food daily, had gained 50 pounds, lost multiple friendships, struggled to support myself financially, and was excessively negative about life.  It felt like I was constantly having to deal with more emotional pain than should be humanly possible.     I am now 28, and although I have gotten to the point where I don't hate my life, I am still struggling to be happy.

 I am going to use this blog to help turn my life into a successful one.   What do I consider success?   I want to be happy and healthy.  I want to want to get out of bed each morning and be able to enjoy my life for what it is.  If you are reading this, and you are in a similar situation, I hope that you will take this journey with me by following along and sharing your thoughts and ideas.  If you are reading this, and you have already gone from a mess to a success, I hope you will share with me some of the things you have learned on your journey. 

Until next time,

Katie