On Finding Joy and Living Your Best Life

I’ve been pretty open with you guys about my struggle with mental illness in my adolescence and early adulthood (read about it HERE), but what I haven’t shared is that this past winter I struggled with a temporary bout of depression. I’m now happy to report, however, that I’ve come out of that dark place with a new lease on life.

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While depression isn’t something you can talk yourself out of, I’m so thankful for the support of my friends and family who saw me through it. Just as I was about to seek out professional help, my anxiety began to lift. It was like magic. And as my anxiety began to lift, I was able to make some decisions to help me reduce stressors in my life. It was at that time that I decided to put my coaching business on the back burner and dive more fully into creating content both here on my blog, and on my youtube channel.

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Being creative has always been instrumental in keeping me sane.

I don’t know how else to put it, but it’s true. Focussing on what I enjoy has allowed me the freedom to truly explore what makes me happy.

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Joy, to me, isn’t about being happy when everything is going right.

If there’s one thing the recent tragedies have taught me it’s that life is fleeting and it’s constantly changing. Finding joy is about looking at what’s you’ve got going for you, even if it’s only one thing, and focusing all of your energy and attention on that one light in your life. Once you find that one light it begins to  shine brightly on everything, and you’ll soon discover the infinite blessings at your fingertips.

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I wake up everyday and I am thankful

I am so incredibly thankful for my friends and family.  I know this sounds morbid, and it is, but people die every second. Literally. So when i think about the fact that I’m not burying my child, my husband, my parents, my friends, my siblings, it just puts everything into perspective. I worry less and I allow myself to be happy for simply waking up everyday.  Beyond that, what else is of value? Not much.

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I sill have dark days.

I still have days when I feel out of sorts, and on those days I allow myself to feel whatever it is I’m feeling. I take whatever time I need to regain my balance. If it means binge watching The Hills on demand, or simply going to McDonald’s for a soft serve cone, I do it.

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I honor myself and my family by practicing self care.

You’ve got one itty bitty life to live and it is a treasure. So many people didn’t have the opportunity today to wake up and smile, scroll through Facebook, or kiss their mama. So if you cannot think of those things and immediately recognize their value, it’s time to pause.  Meditate, reflect, go for a walk, do whatever you can so that you never lose sight of what you’ve got.

Yellow Dress Outfit

How cute is this dress? I’ve mentioned it in this post here, and it’s still available! if you want to put together a cute and flirty yellow dress outfit you need this dress. Grab yours by clicking HERE.

 

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4 Comments

  1. Enobong Essien says:

    Thanks for speaking up about depression and anxiety. I feel like so many people suffer in silence about this subject and just knowing that someone else is going through it already helps. I also suffer through bouts of anxiety and depression and it also helps me to take a deep breath, click pause on life, and then ease myself back into the flow.

    Thanks again and great post

    1. Yes, taking a minute works wonders. Thanks so much for reading!

  2. So glad to hear you’re doing better! I’m struggling some days, myself, but this was a nice bright spot in my day. Thank you!

  3. Lita otey says:

    Your article hit home for me ob that depression note. But i gaun some helpful pleasures from u on how to focus on the simple things in life and let ,Jesus. Handle all oyr other problems, God be u for your sincereness and compassion. Hope to me u ib person one day.

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