Good Morning! I Feel Like I'm Waking Up Again...

So here is a beautiful sunrise from 2020 at Klamath National Wildlife Refuge in wonderful California. 

 And another one for good measure.  This one has a Bald Eagle in it.  

Wow!  It has been a minute!

I've been around and living and working but really?  Not much else.  Besides spending time with my lovely daughter, I have been in a place of low motivation.  Not really as bad in my anxiety and nowhere near the depths of my depression.  But just a place where I couldn't really move myself to DO anything.  

I've been waking up and actually wanting to do some things.  I've been making some plans. Actually going places once in a while and looking forward to getting back on here to share my stories and photos.  If only for myself!  I have found some solace in looking back at some of my adventures through the years now that I am getting older and just...not so sharp. 

So I can't express enough gratitude for the people who have been here - both old and new - reading my posts and checking out my photos.  Even though I, myself was missing in action.

I just want to take a minute to start to get back in the swing of things with a short post and some photos from 2020.  Most of these were used in my Photography 301 class final.  haha  Just some shots that have some meaning to me.  And I like them.  I don't need any more motivation than that. 😁

And last but not least, my favorite Milky Way shot at Bodie Ghost Town.  

We started with a sunrise on our Public Lands and we finished with night time on our Public Lands.  

Fitting. 

xoxo

Nikon D3300   

Therapy Time! Ups. Downs. Lots of Down Down Downs. But HOPE is Still Present.

 Hi Friends.  I am trying to be open and accepting about my mental health struggles without being too much of an oversharer.  

Life...has been really rough.  Back in February, I thought I had overwhelmed myself with this blog and trying to learn to edit videos.  It turned out to be much less specific.  

And it got worse.  And worse.  

Over the next several months, I am willing to admit that my depression and anxiety crossed the line into active suicidal thoughts.  Luckily, I have my daughter and my kitty to anchor me to this world.  At least for now and hopefully for a long time. 

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I started this post like 2 weeks ago and - like most everything in my anxiety-ridden and depressed, sad world - I couldn't focus and finish it.

So glad to report that I am still here and seeking help on multiple levels.  

Anxiety and depression can happen to ANYONE!  Please reach out to your friends and family - even if all seems well - to let them know that their presence in your life means something important to you.

And if you are struggling with mental health, PLEASE have a safety plan written down and with you at all times. 

Some suggestions:

Make a list of 1-2 people that you can call if you are in a bad spot and you know they will LISTEN and be there to be strong for you. 

Make a list/playlist of songs that are meaningful to you and soothe you.  This can also include mantras or positive affirmations, hymns, comedy shows, etc.  Anything that brings you joy and comfort and REMINDS you that there are things in this world that are worth staying around for. 

Have tools to get your mind back on a positive track.  This could include portable Labyrinths to trace or poems to read - therapy exercises such as "tapping" or 5-4-3-2-1 coping technique. 

Please love yourself. Always keep fighting. 

xoxo

Jen