A public health worker for nearly 2 decades, I realized that now more than ever, I need myself and that is okay.
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Wellness Is The Overall Goal!
A public health worker for nearly two decades, helping others find comfort and motivation for self- improvement has been my career. Taking a break from this field made me realize, that now more than ever, taking care of myself needs to become the priority. Well rested, clear thinking, and a happy heart are memories. Instead, depression, anxiety, and an eating disorder while managing a physically demanding job, 13 credit hours of classes at IUSB, family traumas, a failing marriage, and a puppy digging up a pare tree. Proactive changes for better management of mental and physical wellness is the overall goal.
Overwhelming isn't it? Imagine feeling these emotions constantly for months. What led to this personal need? What products are there to help? What types of resources are available? What ideas for physical fitness and motivation are out there? Questions of how to improve my lifestyle choices are abundant and the answers are what we will discover together
The Trees Made Me Do It
Any one who has visited the midwest during the winter months knows the desolate appearance of leafless trees standing frozen in the cold. As we dodge the frigid elements, finding beauty in these lifeless, naked, and vulnerable looking trees is not something frequently done. Comparing myself to a tree, especially ones so ill described, seems silly but ended up being the reality check needed. What is forgotten is the mighty strength of the trunk, the expanse of its branches, and the deep roots that have footed its growth. Within me, like the tree, is the power and strength to handle the elements and fight beyond social circumstances to once again flourish. A time fueled by anxiety, depression, lack of sleep, poor diet, and several traumatic life events, led to an inner cry for self-awareness and health promotion. Clear now and desperate for balance, leading a life of burning the candle at both ends has finally led to a health crisis. Worriedly questioning the professional risks of sharing my raw emotions and feelings, the word now runs nagging in my head. If anyone benefits from this mission to self recovery, then it is worth it.
Are the answers in front of me?
The process to be self-aware, defining balance amidst chaos, and the idea of maintainability creates fear within me. So close to the end of my degree program, as a 2nd semester senior, several of my professors recommended seeking assistance with the Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) Counseling Center. (https://students.iusb.edu/student-support-services/counseling-center/index.html) The thought allowing postponement was that it was something else to do while already being bogged down with my personal and academic issues. A new patient appointment at the IUSB Health and Wellness Center (https://healthscience.iusb.edu/health-and-wellness-center/index.html) will mark the beginning of a lifestyle change that is long overdue. Finding the energy, fighting the inner doubts, and sticking to the changes will be an educating and eventful show.
Perhaps the answers are out there in the insight of individuals reading this blog? If you have information, inspiration, something cheerful to make someone's day, or have any questions, please comment and share.
🌍 Who Has The Map?
Where do we go from here? To bed for now and not soon enough. Its 2:54am, been up since 6:30am, got off of work at 9:45pm, and worry, exhaustion, and surrendering to heavy eye lids is overwhelmingly certain. In the morning, perhaps exploring ways for better time management would be the best next step in our great adventure.
-Dustin 🐿
Dustin, I really like your analogy about the tree, your comparison to a tree is very beautiful. When I went through my divorce, the only thing that I found inspiring, was how beautiful the trees were, especially in the winter. Like you said, they are so lifeless yet so beautiful. Trees are beautiful, especially when the snow falls, or the ice that makes the tree look like crystals. Trees are strong and hardy, even during the most vulnerable times. Trees are able to stand strong and endure all the storms and weather that tries to tear them down.
ReplyDeleteI think most people endure anxiety and depression. Especially while going to college. Most people have a whole different life, and daily battles that they must overcome. The pressure of doing well in college, to create a better tomorrow, can be very overwhelming. I think using IUSB Counseling Services is a great service provided to IUSB students. I also think it is important to know that IUSB has a Wellness Center, that can help students with small medical problems if need be. The Wellness Center can charge the bursar if you don’t have the funds, is also very helpful. Thank you for sharing your blog.
I look forward to reading your blog. You have already given a great bit of information about stress relief. I think I need to upload videos of me doing stress relief activities. That would be hilarious. Accident prone, referred to as Bull(in the china shop)by many, I may be charging the Wellness account to the bursar often.
DeleteThank you! I also look forward to reading more about your blog. I hope the Blog I just posted is fun. It is called the CAT-URDAY CHALLENGE. I am sure you might figure out what that means. Perhaps you can film a fun video with a fury friend and post it. Seems like a fun stress relief activity for you. Your joke about the Wellness Center is very funny. Thank you for responding back. Good luck with Self Aware for your Care.
DeleteDustin, I really enjoyed your focus on your own strength here. Sometimes recognizing our own virtues can be the hardest step to recovery. I think it is through recovery from mental illness and trauma that we can become reacquainted with ourselves from a different perspective. Learning to focus on the bright spots in our lives, without neglecting our stressors, is a difficult, but ultimately rewarding process.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I have changed so much that recognizing myself is confusing. "Reacquainted" is a great word to describe this process. Thank you!
DeleteDustin I chose to follow your blog because I have been trying to be more proactive in my self-care as well. I work 2 part-time jobs that are emotionally draining (that I do love, it's just a lot sometimes!), go to school full time, trying to start a family, it is overwhelming. I am hoping that we can motivate each other and lean on each other's strengths to overcome our overwhelming lives together. I am also following you selfishly to get some ideas for strength and wellness!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to us being able to share that together!
DeleteDustin, I truly appreciate that you are so willing to share your experience with others, and hopefully offer them a shred of hope if they are struggling. As someone who is learning to overcome her own depression and anxiety, it's relieving to know that somebody else understands. Often times, so many of us get caught up in the mess of life that we forget to take care ourselves, and that's so important to notice. I wonder how often it is that we manage to take care of everything but ourselves, and how much that truly effects us on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteOkay. Lets try this again. My first comment did not go through. So, First I want to say thank you for sharing something so personal! I think that there are a lot of people that can relate to your current situation, and it takes much courage to share something so personal, I believe. I can confidently say that you are not alone. I am certain there are others that are sharing your same journeys. I also am trying to find a healthy balance between school, children, work, as well as maintaining my own well-being. Often when there is so much going on that requires my attention in life, I find myself putting my own well being last on the totem pole. Recently I have tried to put a little bit more time into focusing my energy on myself. I am doing this because I truly believe you cannot make anyone in your life around you happy if you yourself are not happy. I hope that you can find a healthy balance between family, school, work, personal wellness, and life. I look forward to reading your blog to get some insight for myself as well.
ReplyDeleteBeing vulnerable is worth everything. If you can share your vulnerable self to others than it is a sure sign you are stronger than you may think. I appreciate you describing yourself as the tree. What a great metaphor for so many of us midwest folks. I think a little of us all struggle with S.A.D. in the Michiana area from the dreadful permacloud.
ReplyDeleteBeing self aware of struggles is half the battle. I enjoy your writing Dustin. It is simply brilliant for lack of words. Your use of words while even sleep deprived just flows like it is second nature.