I’ve been on this earth for almost twenty-one years, and throughout that time, I’ve learned a few things. For one, twenty is a weird age to be. You’re definitely no longer a child, but you don’t have enough life experience to consider yourself an adult. You understand heartbreak and (maybe) taxes, but things like paying…
Read More51 Things That Make Me Happy
When I was in middle school, I always sat with the same group of friends during English class. One of the girls, who had Aspergers syndrome, usually had an aid sitting with her as well. When we got bored in class, the four of us (including the aid) would pass around scraps of paper and…
Read MoreMy Relationship with Lexapro: An Update
Since around the summer of 2016, I have been taking escitalopram (Lexapro) to manage my PMDD and anxiety. I’ve always been an open book about it; after all, it has definitely helped me tremendously and improved my quality of life overall. I know anxiety medication isn’t the best option for everyone, but for me, I…
Read MoreWhat Makes Me Happy
At the time of writing this, we’re in the odd transitional period of daylight saving time and my mood is feeling a bit…off. I occasionally go through periods where I’m just in a bit of a funk, and this is just one of those times. And no, the sky getting dark at 4pm is not…
Read MoreThe Relationship Between Anxiety & Fatigue
I’ve had an anxiety disorder for my entire life. I believe my anxiety is partially genetic, but additionally, environmental factors have definitely played a role in my mental health. Surprisingly, most people don’t seem to realize that there is a profound overlap between mental and physical health. I could go into a lot more detail…
Read MoreAnxiety & Service Animals
As many of you who tune in regularly know, I struggle with having an anxiety disorder that manifests itself in almost every area of my life. Sometimes my anxiety is set off by specific things, such as loud noises and needles, but often, it is provoked randomly and interferes with my daily life. This is…
Read MoreWhy School Starting Ridiculously Early is NOT Good for Your Health
The debate for later start times at school is not a new subject, but it’s something I find completely fascinating. Especially since this is something I experienced firsthand during my time at public school, I consider myself a fairly reliable participant. I can’t remember off the top of my head what my elementary school start…
Read MoreYes, Your Mental Health is More Important than a Good Grade
Academically, I am one of the most stress-free people I know. I always get between 8-10 hours of sleep. I rarely spend more than an hour a day on schoolwork. And yet, consistently, I am a good student who manages to turn in all of my work on time, often with high markings. The most…
Read More“The Yellow Wallpaper” – A Voice for Feminism, PMDD, and Women’s Health
The first time I ever picked up “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman was in my eleventh-grade English Comp class. This was a new, fresh experience for me, as the majority of literature I read in high school was written by men- usually pandering on about justice and freedom and the American Revolution. I’m…
Read MoreStart Your Morning Off Right
As a die-hard night owl, it can really difficult for me to feel motivated and driven in the morning. One of the ways I like to wake myself up (and wind myself down at the end of the day) is by writing. Handwriting in a journal is so different than typing on a computer for…
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