Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is “a phrase you grew up with”

May 7, 2022 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a phrase you grew up with.” Include in your post a phrase your mom/dad/grandparent/sibling used all the time when you were growing up, or just write whatever inspires you based on that phrase. Enjoy!

Growing up with four brothers meant we had a very active household which meant plenty of time outside. A saying that rings in my head is “Close the door you’ll let the flies in”. Now, this was probably true but it’s hard to do when you have five to seven people going in and out plus pets needing to go outside.

What’s funnier is I tell the dogs all the time I have to shut the door your I’ll let the flies in.

Melinda

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:

Linda G Hill

Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

May 6, 2022 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington

When do you feel like you most like your true self?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Dealing With Isolation & Loneliness

May 5, 2022 Looking for the Light14 Comments

It is often said that loneliness is a silent pandemic, and there is certainly something true about that. There are definitely lots of people out there right now who are spending their lives feeling very lonely, and that is a horrible position to be in. For one thing, it can make it difficult to get back into social settings. It can also lead to a variety of other physical and psychological issues, and in rare cases, it can be fatal in the form of depression. However, there is help at hand, and there are things to do if you do feel lonely or isolated and you want it to change.

Used in the right limited kind of way, social media can be incredibly useful as a means of feeling more connected with the outside world. If you are in a position where you can’t see people offline very much, then limited use of social media can be effective for this. You will want to take care to ensure that you don’t overuse it as if you are not careful it can sometimes make issues worse and make you feel even lonelier. But all in all, using it a little could help you to feel a little more connected with people, so that is something to consider at least.

Get Help With Transportation

One of the major issues related to isolation is that it can be hard to know how to get around. You might have social events that you would like to attend but you are not sure how, or you might even need to get to a medical appointment. For this, some people find it helpful to use an assisted living service, as that way you can have someone there who can help with all this – and they will also provide a certain comfort as well just by being there and being near you.

Watch Your Emotions & Thoughts

Because loneliness can be quite damaging, you need to try and watch for what your mind is doing, so that you can see if things appear to be getting worse for you or not. You need to watch your emotions and your thoughts consciously so that you can see if things are improving or not as you go about your life. Sometimes paying attention to a warning sign can be all you need in order to make sure that you take the right moment to look after yourself better. Being mindful in this way can help to spot those signs early on.

Work On Your Confidence

A lot of people with isolation issues and loneliness have confidence issues too, and often you will find that working on one helps the other and so on. To get this going, it’s worth taking some time to work on your confidence specifically. The more you do this, the more likely it is that you are going to feel less lonely and take more social risks, which are important for living well.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Flowers of Spring-Verbena

May 5, 2022 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Verbena is a small but mighty flower. It has long arms with dainty flowers on the end.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

4 Helpful Tips to Create a Comfortable Living Environment for Your Retired Parents

May 4, 2022April 7, 2023 Looking for the Light4 Comments

It can be challenging to know the best way to provide a comfortable living environment for your retired parents. They likely don’t want or need the same level of care that they needed when they were younger, but they still need some assistance and support. This blog post will discuss four helpful tips to create a comfortable living environment for your retired parents!

Make sure their home is safe and accessible.

As our parents age, it’s essential to ensure that their homes are safe and accessible. This means ensuring no trip hazards, adequate lighting, and that any stairs are well-lit and have handrails. If your parents live in a two-story home, you may want to consider installing a stairlift or an elevator. In addition to making sure their home is physically safe, you’ll also want to make sure it’s secure from potential burglars or other dangers. This means installing security cameras, deadbolt locks, and motion-sensor lights.

Find a reliable nursing home or assisted living facility.

If your parents need more assistance than you can provide, you may want to consider finding reliable nursing homes or assisted living facilities. It’s essential to do your research when choosing a facility, as many different types and levels of care are available. You’ll want to make sure that the facility you choose is reputable and has a good track record. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that it’s affordable and that it offers the type and level of care that your parents need.

Once you’ve chosen a nursing home or assisted living facility, you’ll want to ensure that your parents are comfortable there. This means helping them get settled in, getting them involved in activities, and ensuring their needs are being met. Remember to call a lawyer immediately if you suspect any nursing home neglect.

Help them organize their space

Your parents may also find it more challenging to keep their homes organized and tidy. This can be a result of physical limitations and cognitive decline. If your parents find it challenging to keep their home organized, you can help! There are a few different ways you can do this. First, you can declutter and organize their space for them. This means getting rid of any unnecessary items and organizing what remains. You can also help them create systems and routines for keeping their home organized, such as making sure they always put away their belongings after use. Finally, you can hire a professional organizer or cleaning service to help your parents keep their home tidy.

Be there for them

One of the most important things you can do to create a comfortable living environment for your retired parents is to be there for them. This means being available to help them with whatever they need, whether running errands, helping around the house, or simply providing emotional support. It’s also essential to ensure that you’re staying in touch with your parents and checking in on them regularly. With today’s technology, it’s easy to stay connected even if you live far away. For example, you can video call your parents using apps like Skype or FaceTime, or you can send them regular emails or text messages.

You can also be there for them by helping them to effectively plan for the future. This means discussing topics such as investment opportunities, healthcare and life insurance, retirement funds, and any other financial arrangements that need to be made. For example, when looking at investment opportunities, you could consider researching the DiversyFund lawsuit to better understand the risks and benefits associated with certain types of investments. Financial planning can be a tricky topic to navigate, and having the right guidance is essential.

These are four helpful tips to create a comfortable living environment for your retired parents. By following these tips, you can ensure that your parents are safe, comfortable, and well-cared for in their retirement years.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How To Avoid Time Mismanagement When Working From Home

May 3, 2022 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Time mismanagement is one of the most common issues of working from home. It’s very easy for your attention to stray to other things during your regular working hours, leading to work delays and affecting your productivity. You spend time on numerous activities as a remote worker, from your phone and television to home chores and housemates. Does it feel like you hardly have enough time in the day to complete work assignments at home? You may be wasting time on other things. Here are some ways to avoid time mismanagement when working from home.

Photo by Michelangelo Buonarroti on Pexels.com

First, you need to ensure that all your work tools, especially your computer and internet connection, are fast and reliable. Unsuspectingly, a slow internet connection and an under-performing computer can drain hours out of your time. Regarding your internet connection, be sure to use the best internet providers that offer fast connection speed, reliability, and affordable packages.

Declutter your workstation

A cluttered or disorganized workstation can encourage procrastination and waste more of your time than you think. You may think that spending several minutes looking for a pen or paper document shouldn’t be anything to worry about. But such distractions eat into your productivity. Therefore, take the time to organize your workstation, declutter, and keep important things within reach.

Stay away from distracting websites

With nobody looking over your shoulder to monitor the websites you visit, it’s easy to waste several work minutes surfing distracting websites. Whether browsing your favorite online store or watching viral content from social media, distracting websites can consume chunks of your work time. Statista, for example, reports that the average social media user sinks about 2 hours each day into Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you find yourself plagued by too many such websites, you can download plugins to block access to specific websites, so you can focus on your work.

Strategize your time

Try planning your workdays around your tasks and not your clock. Instead of thinking you have the whole day to finish a project, distribute your work tasks to specific times in your day. Consider the work you need to complete each day and set specific goals to accomplish them. For example, do you need to get shopping done and complete a marketing proposal within the day? When you’re most productive, you can assign the first part of your day to completing the marketing project and the latter part of the day to shopping. This strategy will help you focus on completing a task before attending to anything else.

Learn when to say no

Image Credit

Commitments come from different directions when working from home, and the last thing you want to do is accommodate all of them at once. That phone call from a loved one or that favor request from a colleague can cost you more time than you can spare. Sometimes learning to say no to commitments that eat into your work time is the best way to avoid wasting time.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

May 3, 2022 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington

There are so many things a mirror will never reflect back to us. A kind heart, a curious spirit.

What will your mirror never show?

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What Your Body Needs To Stay Healthy-Vitamins

May 3, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

We have different needs for vitamins as we age and if we have health conditions. What we needed as a child isn’t the same as what we need as an adult. It’s important to know what your body needs and what you get from food. If you don’t get enough from the food you will need to supplement with vitamins.

Vitamins:

VITAMIN A

GOOD FOR: Healthy eyes and general growth and development, including healthy teeth and skin.
NATURAL SOURCE: Carrots and other orange foods including sweet potato and cantaloupe melons – all of which get their hue from the carotene pigment.

B VITAMINS

GOOD FOR: Energy production, immune function and iron absorption.
NATURAL SOURCE: This crucial group of nutrients can be found in whole unprocessed foods, specifically whole grains, potatoes, bananas, lentils, chili peppers, beans, yeast and molasses.

VITAMIN C

GOOD FOR: Strengthening blood vessels and giving skin its elasticity, anti-oxidant function and iron absorption.
NATURAL SOURCE: Everyone knows this one – oranges! But they’re not the only source – other fruits and veggies packed with Vitamin C include guava, red and green peppers, kiwi, grapefruits, strawberries, Brussels sprouts and cantaloupe.

VITAMIN D

GOOD FOR: Strong healthy bones.
NATURAL SOURCE: Apart from spending a few minutes out in the sun, which stimulates Vitamin D production, you can get this nutritional must from eggs, fish and mushrooms.

VITAMIN E

GOOD FOR: Blood circulation, and protection from free radicals.
NATURAL SOURCE: Our favorite Vitamin E-rich food is the mighty almond. You can also fill up on other nuts, sunflower seeds and tomatoes to reap the benefits.

VITAMIN K

GOOD FOR: Blood coagulation – that is, the process by which your blood clots.
NATURAL SOURCE: Leafy greens are the best natural sources of Vitamin K – so make sure you’re eating lots of kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.

FOLIC ACID

GOOD FOR: Cell renewal and preventing birth defects in pregnancy.
NATURAL SOURCE: There are plenty of scrumptious natural sources of folic acid, including dark leafy greens, asparagus, broccoli, citrus fruits, beans, peas, lentils, seeds, nuts, cauliflower, beets and corn.

CALCIUM

GOOD FOR: Healthy teeth and bones.
NATURAL SOURCE: This mineral is another one that most of us already know – the best sources are dairy products like yogurt, cheese and milk, along with tofu and black molasses.

IRON

GOOD FOR: Building muscles naturally and maintaining healthy blood.
NATURAL SOURCE: You might be surprised to know that clams take the top spot for iron content, followed by oysters and organ meats like liver. For the vegetarians among us, soybeans, cereal, pumpkin seeds, beans, lentils and spinach are great sources of iron.

ZINC

GOOD FOR: Immunity, growth and fertility.
NATURAL SOURCE: Seafoods like oysters are also zinc-rich, along with spinach, cashews, beans and – wait for it – dark chocolate.

CHROMIUM

GOOD FOR: Glucose function – making sure every cell in your body gets energy as and when needed.
NATURAL SOURCE: As long as your diet contains servings of whole grains, fresh vegetables and herbs, you should be getting enough chromium.

To be your healthiest self it’s best to get all of your vitamins from the food we eat and drink but sometimes we don’t eat like we should. that’s where over-the-counter vitamins come in.

Here are some important things to know when buying vitamins:

Are the ingredients non-GMO?

Does it have certifications?

Is it routinely tested?

How are the reviews?

Our body needs the proper vitamins to work properly and prevent diseases. If you find yourself needing over-the-counter vitamins, don’t get in a hurry. You want vitamins that dissolve properly and don’t have harmful ingredients in them.

Look for the certifications and buy one that is third-party tested if possible, that way you know the result are non-biased.

Melinda

References:

https://www.goodnet.org/articles/11-essential-vitamins-minerals-your-body-needs

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

My Stalker Almost Got Me Killed

May 2, 2022December 22, 2023 Looking for the Light3 Comments

The first time I was stalked was scary but I was a child and they never confronted me or my girlfriend. They just drove behind us in the car all the way home from school every day. I can still remember the license plate number, NJN637. We never told anybody and one day it stopped.

The second time was very scary and I’ve written about it before. I was a young adult and made some bad decisions in character. He stalked me and my family for six years, even when I thought he was gone, he wrote me after several years to let me know he could still find me. It got so bad that the guy I was dating would go check under the car when we left his house, he was afraid of a bomb. No one should have to live with that fear.

The third and last time was the one that scared me deeply. I was still battling Lyme Disease and was very sick. I also was not very tech-savvy with phones. That will come into play later in the post. I didn’t know anything was wrong until the day Twitter got hacked, it was also the day I got hacked. They were tech-savvy enough to make it look like it was coming from two people I knew. I accused them of this terrible act and hurt them badly. Even WordPress told me one of them was tracking my DNS. I didn’t understand all of that and went about trying to mend the damage.

Then I started getting weird messages on my computer, or I would write something and they would keep changing the first letter. My spell correct doesn’t auto change anything, I know it sounded crazy. One day I was writing Auther and they kept changing it to Luther. So I asked them if they planned to hurt me. I don’t remember all the other questions I asked but I tried to converse with them thinking I could solve the problem.

Then one morning I pick up my IPad and it had all this jibberish written on it, nothing made sense. Sometimes there would just be one letter on a line. I showed my husband who thou he believed me was still a bit unsure of what to think.

You have to understand I was taking around 20 medications for Lyme in addition to my other meds, so there were days I was too sick to take my mental health meds. This added to the problem. Also adding to the problem was my lack of understanding of how my phone worked. I had only texted a few times and still didn’t understand that you could move between phone and texting without losing the person on the phone. This will make more sense in a minute.

In an effort to understand how much danger I was in I kept trying to engage in conversation. I would write text messages but would not send them. Still, the answers would come. They would make sense but they would be giving me names of people at times but I didn’t know who it was.

Every once in a while I would think to send the text. Still, the conversation continued. They didn’t say they wanted to hurt me but didn’t say they didn’t so I was still very unsure.

One day I was texting a friend who said they had been hiking and the stalker jumped into the conversation to say that my friend was lying. I couldn’t understand how they knew I was on the phone or how they could even hack my phone.

One day I was talking with them and felt very threatened and thought they were coming into my house. Not thinking straight and reaching for my home phone I ran outside and ask my neighbor to call the police. I didn’t realize that I could leave the texting and move to the phone to call the police.

Mind you I was in a tee-shirt and underwear only. The next thing I know four police cars and two fire trucks show up.

I start to approach one of the police cars with my phone held high and an officer pulled her gun on me. All the other officers stepped out with no aggressive body language and could see I was stressed out. The fire medics began to check my blood sugar and pressure and ask who they could call. I was calm, I told them my husband’s number was under ICE #1.

The whole time this is going on the woman officer who pulled her gun on me kept saying I was Schizophrenic and she would have me sent to the county hospital. This was very upsetting because the county hospital has a bad reputation and it scared me. I told her I was Bipolar, not Schizophrenic, she kept going on like she knew it all.

My husband arrived about 30 minutes later and assured them everything was ok and that I probably had not taken my mediation because I was so sick.

It wasn’t long after that I asked my stalker how long they had been stalking me and they said seven months. Later they started to give me clues to who it was and I figured it out. It was a woman on WordPress who I had tried to help who was severely mentally ill.

As soon as I figured out who it was and said her name, she stopped.

If you’re ever in this situation, make sure you get the names of the police on the scene and file a complaint. My local police needed some mental health training bad and that officer needed to be reprimanded for parading around saying I was Schizophrenic to all the other officers. She didn’t know what she was talking about and should have diffused the situation and kept her mouth shut.

Several neighbors saw the whole thing and one of them saw her pull her gun.

It was a very scary time and one I will not forget.

Be safe!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Webb Bloggs-OCD and Me

May 2, 2022 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, Webb Blogs, OCD and ME

WEBB BLOGS

A Blog About Life With Mental Illness

Hello and welcome to Webbblogs! My name is Christina. I am a mother of 3, and a grandmother of 4. I live in California, in the United States. I am a long time mental health sufferer, and a recovering addict.

Here at WebbBlogs you will find my personal stories of the struggles I have been through and continue to go through. You will also find some positive experiences, family life, and some sillyness along the way.

I am trying to not live in fear anymore. With OCD, panic attacks and anxiety, living a life with less fear has been challenging. But, it’s time for me to get out of my comfort zone, share my life’s moments, no matter how embarrassing some may be. It’s time for me to make a change. After all, nothing changes, if nothing changes.

I’ve been following Chistina for a long time and enjoy her post, she’s raw and that helps everyone! Please check out her site.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@lookinglight

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic 5/1/2022

May 1, 2022 Looking for the Light9 Comments

I’m so glad you are enjoying Everyday Magic. I find it a good place to wind down and ask some important questions.

Bella and Grace by Stampington

It’s important to celebrate all of our victories. No matter how little or silly they may seem to others.

What’s one tiny victory you’ve had lately that you’re especially proud of?

Enjoy your day!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

April 30, 2022 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington

What is one simple ritual you can add to your day that will make a huge impact?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic 4/28/2022

April 28, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

I’m so glad you are enjoying Everyday Magic. I find it a good place to wind down and ask some important questions.

Bella and Grace by Stampington

Imagine that this beautiful bench nestled among the trees is at a park near your home and you could visit it whenever you wanted.

How would you spend an hour on this bench?

Enjoy your day!

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What Your Body Needs To Stay Healthy-Nutritional Health

April 28, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Staying healthy doesn’t mean you have to eat like a rabbit or cut out all of your favorite foods. It’s like everything else, moderation. Eating healthy is critical for your overall health and doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach.

We are indulged in a lot of daily activities. To carry out these activities a large amount of energy is required. This energy comes from the food we consume. Food is vital as it provides the energy needed for growth, repair, and other life processes. All these come under the life process called nutrition.

What is Nutrition?

“Nutrition is the process of taking in food and converting it into energy and other vital nutrients required for life.”

Nutrients are the substances which provide energy and biomolecules necessary for carrying out the various body functions. All living organisms need nutrients for proper functioning and growth. But they show divergence in how they fulfill this demand. Some animals feed on simple inorganic compounds to meet their nutrient requirement, while others utilise complex compounds. The mode of nutrition varies from one species to another.

Also Read: Nutrition in Plants

Poor nutrition can lead to a lack of energy, digestive problems, food allergies, weight gain, depression and anxiety as well as many of today’s most prevalent chronic diseases like coronary heart disease, cancer and ADHA. Having nutritional knowledge and making informed choices about the foods you eat can help you achieve optimum health over your lifetime.

Nutrition is also about why we choose to eat the foods we do, even when we know they may not be good for us, what is going on at a cellular level and how that affects what we crave and therefore set up food cycles that are unhealthy or damaging. Nutritionists advise people on what to eat and how to modify their diet so they can maintain or restore optimal health or help relieve ill health and combat disease.

Here’s a post I did on Superfoods which can help you jump-start your healthy eating process. Superfoods are a great way to add a big punch to your diet and many have properties to help with health conditions like immune disorders and they boost energy.

Just making a few changes to your diet can go a long way to a healthier lifestyle.

Like:

Greens

Lean meat

Fruit

Reduce refined sugar

Beans

Oatmeal

Green tea

This post doesn’t cover all the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy, that’s for another post.

Melinda

Reference

https://byjus.com/biology/nutrition-modes-living-organisms/

https://www.schoolofhealth.com/nutrition-courses/what-is-nutrition/

https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2022/superfoods-for-increased-energy.html?intcmp=MOA-HLTH-FUTMED-VID-R3-POS2

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Mental Illness and Me

April 27, 2022May 10, 2024 Looking for the Light20 Comments

I’m very open about having Bipolar Disorder and feel no shame. It’s a serious medical condition that has to be managed daily in order to stay healthy. I’ve been doing very well for several years but had a rough patch a few years ago that took 8 months to find a medication that would work.

That is one of the biggest challenges. Medication will stop working after some period of time and there is no standard handbook on what drugs to prescribe. At that time I was in bad shape, not suicidal but very dark. It took four different medications before he found one that worked.

I’m very lucky to have had the same doctor for over 30 years and it makes all the difference. He knows me, knows my limits, and knows when I can make decisions on my own with medication.

As an example, for the past two months, I’ve been having a problem with tongue thrusting, it was driving me crazy and making my teeth hurt. It didn’t occur to me that it might be medication but I contacted him anyway. He had me stop one of my stimulant medications and I’m doing better. I also take three stimulants a day so I cut it back to two a day just for now to see if that helps speed things along. I only did this after research that said that stimulant medication can cause this problem. I can’t go without that extra pill for long but for a week or so I will deal with the sluggishness to see if it helps. He trusts me to know my limits and will be ok with me skipping for a week or so. I can only do this because I’m healthy, if I were in bad shape I would not make this decision.

I’ve had my hard years, many hard years, multiple times. I’ve had 21 Electroconvulsive Treatments and have stayed in-patient at a Psychiatric hospital several times for up to three weeks at a time. Those were hard times and I’m so thankful for my healthy years.

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at 19 years old but didn’t take it seriously until my father committed suicide. When I started doing research I found that 75% of children of parents with Bipolar Disorder who committed suicide would commit suicide themselves I took action.

Staying healthy with a serious mental illness is a full-time job requiring patience, determination, and self-love. I say self-love because that is what you have to have to make sure you’re doing your daily routine and you forgive yourself when you don’t. You have to give yourself a pass and get back on track with your regimen.

Mine consists of nine medications for a total of 15 pills a day, this is not counting medication for other chronic conditions. If I don’t take my medication it causes problems because several of them are addictive drugs and you feel the withdrawal effects right away. I can skip a day, maybe two then my mood begins to spiral down and the withdrawal symptoms start to make me crazy.

I have found that keeping medication in an AM/PM case and close to the bed for bedtime medication is the best way to stay in sync. I try to take all medication at the same time a day and have my medication case right by my chair where I always sit. For me, habits are the best way to manage my medication.

Having a serious medical condition requires you to be honest with the people around you, your loved ones, and close friends. With mental illness, it’s important because oftentimes we can’t see the changes in our mood, and someone else can pick up on the changes.

I know it can be hard to talk about your illness with family and friends, I’ve had the same problem. My Granny couldn’t understand why I couldn’t come over or why I had to go to the hospital. I did the best I could to help her understand that it was the illness, not me.

I told my husband when we first started dating because my ex-husband didn’t believe anything was wrong with me and it caused many problems, ending in divorce. I wanted him to know what he was getting into and if he wasn’t able to take that on we could get it out upfront not a year down the road.

It can be very frustrating and limiting at times but try to embrace your illness like any other chronic health condition by taking your medication, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and not over-focusing on the negative or hard aspects of the illness.

I feel it’s critical to set up an environment conducive to being healthy. You have to be honest with yourself and cut out the aspects of your life that are holding you back. Negative talk is a big one, if you think negatively about your illness, you will think negatively about yourself.

You are not your illness!

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Emergency Situations You Should Always Be Prepared For

April 27, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

There is no telling when or where an emergency will arise. That’s why it’s essential always to be prepared for the unexpected. Whether you’re at home, at work, or out and about, there are certain emergencies you should always be ready for. In this post, we will discuss some of the most common emergencies and how to best prepare for them.

A Blackout:

A power outage can happen at any time and can last for a few minutes or several days. If you experience a prolonged blackout, it’s essential to have an emergency plan. Be sure to have some backup lighting sources, like candles or flashlights, non-perishable food items, and plenty of water on hand. Also, have a battery-operated radio to stay tuned to local news and weather reports.

A Fire:

If a fire breaks out, it’s important to act quickly and safely. First, try to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher if it is safe. If the fire is too large or you cannot put it out, evacuate the area immediately. Be sure to have an escape route planned so everyone,e in your home or office knows what to do and where to go.

A Natural Disaster:

Depending on where you live, you may be at risk for certain natural disasters, like hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornadoes. It’s essential to be aware of the dangers and have a plan in place if you find yourself in the middle of one. Have an emergency kit stocked with non-perishable food, water, a first-aid kit, and other essential items? And know where you can take shelter if your home is not safe.

A Car Accident:

Car accidents can happen at any time, even if you’re a safe driver. If you are involved in a collision, it’s essential to stay calm and assess the situation. If possible, move your car to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. Once you’re out of harm’s way, call 911 and wait for help to arrive. You might need a lawyer if the accident was severe. Search for a car accident lawyer to get started.

Car Breakdown:

If your car breaks down, it’s important to stay calm and assess the situation. If you’re on the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights and try to move your car to a safe location, if possible. Once you’re in a safe spot, call for help. Roadside assistance can be a lifesaver in this type of situation.

Financial Emergencies:

We all know that unexpected expenses can pop up at any time. Whether you have a medical emergency or your car needs repairs, it’s essential to have some savings set aside for these types of situations. Having a rainy day fund will help you cover the costs without debt.

No one ever wants to find themselves in an emergency. But by being prepared, you can help reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with them. So be sure to have a plan in place and know what to do in an emergency. And always keep a first-aid kit and emergency supplies on hand, just in case.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

April 26, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

By Live Bold and Bloom

If you became the leader of the country, what would be the first thing that you do?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Blogger Highlight-Katie Anna Banana

April 25, 2022April 25, 2022 Looking for the Light5 Comments

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, Katie Anna Banana.

https://katieannabanana.wordpress.com

I started blogging to add some creativity to my day. I have some things to share, and I hope you’ll let me share them with you!

I am a reflector. Nowadays it’s difficult enough for me to think about the week ahead, let alone the past. What’s for dinner, what bills are due? I think it’s important to reflect, I believe I’ve shared my views on that before, and there is no better time to do that than the New Year.

Wishing only the best for myself, my loved ones, and my dear WordPress followers in 2022.

Please check out her site and the great posts she’s written.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Practical Steps To Take After A Relationship Breakdown

April 25, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Whether initiated by yourself or not, the breakdown of a relationship can be hard. You might find yourself in a difficult transition period. A period of adjustment while you get used to how your life looks and feels now. To help you in this transitional phase here are some practical steps you can take after the breakdown of a relationship.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Consider your living arrangements

If you have been living with your partner one of the first things you might want to think about is how you are going to manage this going forward. It can be a difficult subject that requires a lot of consideration and reason on both parts, especially if your finances/home aren’t legally protected. It is most important to put your mental health and wellbeing first, so ensure the steps you take to protect your health. It might be that the best step is to start looking for properties for rent, moving back in with parents temporarily, or if there are children involved, consider arrangements such as bird nesting to help ensure stability for all. It might be a difficult situation to be in but it will become easier as time goes by, especially if logic and sensibility can prevail.

Avoid a rebound

A rebound can seem like a great idea. At a time when you may be feeling emotionally low and in need of a self-esteem boost, looking for some additional attention can seem like the remedy you need. However, it is important to remember that the high you might experience from your rebound will wear off and the feelings you are left with may do more harm than good. A rebound relationship can also seem like a good idea to help numb some of the pain you might be experiencing from the loss of a relationship. Masking the pain does not however make it go away. It is important to work through the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing after losing a loved one to help you move on healthily.

Be wary of social media

Social media can be a painful place to spend your time in the aftermath of a relationship. This can be especially true if you share mutual friends. It can be painful to see your former partner out and about and all over social media and if you find it upsetting then take steps to protect yourself. Come off social media for a while or block or ‘hide’ your former partner so you cannot see their updates. While it can be tempting to follow their escapades and be apprised of what they are up to it can prove to have a damaging effect on your mental health and wellbeing. So, be kind to yourself and be very wary of how you use social media post-breakup.

Do it in your own time

There is no time scale in which you should move on or get over a relationship and don’t be pressured into thinking otherwise. Allow yourself all the time you need to fully heal from your relationship breakdown.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blooming Sunday

April 24, 2022April 24, 2022 Looking for the Light3 Comments

It’s beginning to look a lot like Spring around here.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic 4/21/2022

April 21, 2022 Looking for the Light4 Comments

I’m so glad you are enjoying Everyday Magic. I find it a good place to wind down and ask some important questions.

Bella and Grace by Stampington

“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”

-Elizabeth Edwards

Enjoy your day!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

How to Accept and Move Forward After Losing a Loved One

April 21, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Experiencing grief is difficult for everyone. From losing pets to seeing parents or friends pass away, no one ever feels truly ready for it. Grief can manifest in a variety of ways. Some of these can be positive, but there are also negative reactions that can make things worse for you and those around you. While you shouldn’t forget about your loved one, it is still important to accept what has happened and find ways to move forward and continue your life, because that’s what they would have wanted.

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

Accept Your Pain

One of the most important steps to acceptance and moving forward is to understand your emotions, which can be difficult if you have never encountered grief before. You will have a myriad of conflicting feelings; you might wonder if there is anything you could have done to change things, or regret not making the most of your time together. This is all part of the grieving process, and the sooner you accept your pain, the sooner you can start to feel better. This is not always an easy fix, and you may need to speak with other people to come to terms with it, but finding acceptance and coping with it positively will make things easier.

Celebrate Their Life

You may feel like you didn’t get a proper chance to say goodbye to your loved one, and this can raise several issues as you feel you’ve sorely missed out on something you’ll never get to do. If you are looking for ways to overcome these feelings, you can find ways to celebrate their life. Consider what they loved to do and do it yourself. You can throw a huge party or sit with your family and reminisce. Whatever you do, you will celebrate and honor their memory.

Support Yourself

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in grief that you completely ignore yourself. Some people can feel guilty that they are still alive when their loved one is not. But, it isn’t beneficial to ignore your well-being. Make sure you maintain a consistent sleep schedule, a good diet, and exercise, as these contribute to a better quality of life. They can also help release positive chemicals in your brain that allow you to cope with your grief.

Consider The Next Steps

As much as you don’t want to finalize your loss, you will need to think about the next steps. This could include the will or even selling their property and possessions. An estate sale can be difficult and even confusing, so working with companies like Clearly Quick Estate Liquidators can take the stress out of the entire process. You will get the chance to keep what matters to you, and the liquidators can do the rest of the work, so you don’t have to.

Acceptance and Progress

The idea of moving forward can feel insensitive. But, these techniques do not mean you will ignore how your loved ones have influenced your life. You will still keep them in your thoughts whatever you do, but you will no longer allow the grief to impact your life. Instead, you can live the life the thief would have wanted you to, and you get the chance to make them proud.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Gardening Tips To Help You Grow The Perfect Yard

April 20, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Everyone should make it a goal to include nature in their lives, and anybody can grow a garden of their own. For example, your windowsill may be a great place to grow herbs and other oxygen-giving plants to keep your apartment vibrant and smelling good. If you have a lot of room, or perhaps a backyard, you can be more creative. You don’t need to employ a landscaper to create a tranquil haven in your yard. Here are a few pointers to help you get started on the path to a successful garden.

What Kind Of Garden?

Before you can begin transforming your blank yard into a paradise, you must first have a general idea of how you want your garden to be when you’re done. Make a rough drawing of how you want your yard to look using ideas and inspiration you find online, on TV, or as you go around your neighborhood. The idea is to focus on the fundamentals so that you can improve your garden.

Try not to over-plan the appearance of your garden – half the joy is developing how it looks as things start to grow; it really is an organic process a lot of the time, but a general idea to get you started is always useful.

Do Your Research

Every plant, whether it’s a flower, a shrub, a tree, or fruits and veggies, needs to be properly cared for. Before you add new vegetation to your garden, do some research since certain plants might take over and damage what you currently have.

Most importantly, know how to care for your plants: you don’t want to kill them, thinking you’re doing the right thing. Vegetables, for example, necessitate special care and constant attention – as well as a lot of practice – in order to yield a good harvest. Some plants don’t need anything at all, so you might do more harm than good when you water them. Know what you’re planting and how to take the best care of it.

Keep On Top Of Maintenance

After doing your research, it’s time to put what you’ve learned to good use. A thriving garden requires regular maintenance. The seasons throw varying demands on you for plant management, ranging from trimming and tree removal to growing your seedlings inside during the winter to help optimize the summer months and feeding and watering during dry periods. Maintaining your plants will pay off in the future, giving you the most beautiful backyard that is a joy to behold and something you can be proud of.

Add Decorations And Furniture

Once you’ve established the foundation of your garden, you can next begin to add to it. Inspiration and spontaneity come into play here. This is true for both new plants and new décor and furnishings. Having a place to sit and relax in your garden is an essential part of the experience. If you have enough room, you can even turn that seating arrangement into a location to dine or hold gatherings.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How to Get Better Sleep for a Healthier Life

April 20, 2022April 20, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night’s sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as illnesses. It’s no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.

While you might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep.

It’s well-established that sleep is essential to our physical and mental health. But despite its importance, a troubling percentage of people find themselves regularly deprived of quality sleep and are notably sleepy during the day.

Creating Good Sleep Hygiene

Creating a Sleep-Inducing Bedroom
Optimizing Your Sleep Schedule
Crafting a Pre-Bed time Routine
Fostering Pro-Sleep Habits During the Day

Know How Much Sleep Your Body Needs

Age group	Recommended amount of sleep
Infants 4 months to 12 months	12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, including naps
1 to 2 years	11 to 14 hours per 24 hours, including naps
3 to 5 years	10 to 13 hours per 24 hours, including naps
6 to 12 years	9 to 12 hours per 24 hours
13 to 18 years	8 to 10 hours per 24 hours
Adults	7 or more hours a night

In addition to age, other factors can affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example:

Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted, you’re not getting quality sleep. The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.
Previous sleep deprivation. If you’re sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases.
Pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels and physical discomfort can result in poor sleep quality.
Aging. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns might change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly, take longer to start sleeping and sleep for shorter time spans than do younger adults. Older adults also tend to wake up multiple times during the night.

This is a Pre-Bedtime routine, NOT bedtime! It’s an important time to unwind and prepare your mind and body for sleep, starting at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

I have found that 45 minutes to an hour is best for me and have been using the pre-bedtime routine for several years now. I get better sleep overall and wake more rested. It’s not a solve all your sleep problems answer but it sets you up for the best chances of a quality night’s sleep.

Here are a few ideas

Meditate

Pray

Roll essential oils on your pulse points

Use an ultrasonic diffuser for essential oils *Lavender is calming

Play white noise

NO electronics or reading

Lights out

Blackout Curtain

Sleep Mask

Slather on luxurious body cream or beard oil

Hand, foot, face, or undereye mask

CBD Oil/Delta 8 Gummies

Create a Sleep Environment

All of these items are important for quality sleep

Room Temp

Pillow

Mattress

Sleep and wake up at the same time every day

No exercise 3-4 hours before bedtime

No caffeine later in the day

Not much water after 7pm

Ambient noise like a fan or air purifier

Limit alcohol intake

Limit daytime naps or nap early

Nice aroma like lavender

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know?”

– Ernest Hemingway

Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime. Jot down what’s on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

Stress management might help. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Meditation also can ease anxiety.

Know when to contact your doctor

Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.

Melinda

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/healthy-sleep-tips

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

April 19, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

By Live Bold and Bloom

If you had to be on an episode of “Cops” what crime would you want to be arrested for?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Survivor

Blogger Highlight-My Traumatic Secrets and Healing Journey

April 18, 2022April 18, 2022 Looking for the Light3 Comments

April is Sexual Assualt Awareness month and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to introduce you to a very brave woman and mother, Christine.

Keep your eyes peeled for a new Blogger Highlight next week.

My Trauma Secrets and Healing Journey

Telling my story while on my healing journey

Overactive brain

I can’t stop thinking about my sexual trauma without actually thinking about it. I feel the filth and pain from all of those events. I think it’s time to confront it. But I’m afraid of who I’ll be when I’m done.

Read the rest of the post here.

Sometimes life is messy, downright ugly and it happens to good people. I love the way Christine is so raw with her emotion and doesn’t edit herself. We see the authentic person.

Please check out her site for more great posts.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

@lookinglight

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SOCS Prompt is “nose/noes/knows”

April 16, 2022 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Our prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “nose/noes/knows.” Use one, use ’em all, bonus points if you use all three. Have fun!

After you’ve written your Saturday post tomorrow, please link it here to this week’s prompt page and check to make sure it’s here in the comments so others can find it and see your awesome Stream of Consciousness post. Anyone can join in!

To make your post more visible, use our beautiful SoCS badge! Just paste it in your Saturday post so people browsing the reader will immediately know your post is stream of consciousness and/or pin it as a widget to your site to show you’re a participant. Wear it with pride!!

To start with I’m not sure what noes is so let’s look it up. As it turns out I knew that word well growing up. There were always lots of noes around our house and they meant no! No, you can’t have another piece of candy or dessert, no you can’t sleepover and another multiple no is can we have a dog? Noes!

I think people’s nose is an important characteristic of a person’s face and there are so many types. There are people I know who don’t like their noses but I think mine is ok. I’ve never had an aversion to noses, it what’s makes us all different.

What do I know? Well, it’s Saturday and I’ve been working in the garden. Planting more flowers for my Spring extravagaza! My husband and I planted a Mandeville on a trellis again this year and it turned out the prettiest flower in the whole garden last year. We planted our tomatoes except for the ones from seed, they’re not quite big enough yet.

What else do I know? I thank you for reading this post on your Saturday. I hope your day is filled with sunshine and love

Melinda

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at:

Linda G Hill

Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Selfie

April 15, 2022 Looking for the Light25 Comments

I have had an aversion to how I look in photos most of my life, it’s a body dysmorphic thing. This isn’t the worst shot but it makes me realize for the first time how thin my upper lip is.

I’m smiling at you! Yes, you! Have a great weekend.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Animal Funnies

April 14, 2022 Looking for the Light1 Comment

I didn’t have a lot planned today since I had an appointment but wanted to bring you a laugh. Today is the first Therapy appointment I’ve had since the Pandemic started so I’m very excited. I thought animal videos would get a good laugh.