Especially about very personal things … crazy hard for a lot of people (including me.) But, I’ve seen my counselor for many years. Even when I didn’t feel like it was helping, it helped a little by making me feel like at least I was doing SOMETHING. It’s very helpful to get the perspective of someone outside the immediate situation. And explaining details about your life and experiences and feelings helps you solidify and understand yourself more. And it gets you out of the house at least once a week.
You know what apparently helps people with depression and anxiety?
Having a cat. Or dog, or hamster, or whatever. Something you can cuddle preferably, that is reliant on you, loves you unconditionally, and you think is totes adorbs.
Therapy animals are real, people. This is the reason I adopted my cat, Brisco (Yes, he is named for Brisco County, Jr.) This is a tough one though, because there is definitely a balance that needs to be struck. Ultimately, Brisco does help more than he hinders, but there have definitely been times when I wished I didn’t have him. As with any creature, he can be annoying, persistent, in the way, etc.
derp
He meows at doors at night, knocks things over, gets in the way, tries to trip you, randomly jumps on your face, tries to eat your toes, attacks anything that moves, scratches you up, and will not let you read in peace! OMG RIGHT NOW he thinks a great place to sit is directly in front of this computer screen! So in the darkest time, sometimes a pet can be a definite added stressor and source of frustration/annoyance/helplessness. That said, I am so grateful to have him in my life. As I gain back more and more positivity, little by little, I see and feel the benefits. He’s a non-judgmental listener. He’s a distraction from my problems. He is obsessed with me and always wants to be with me. That’s pretty flattering and good for self-esteem.
Music can be a great source of comfort and inspiration when you’re feeling down.
Today’s song is: “No One Is Alone” by Stephen Sondheim, from Into The Woods.
Listen to the song here:
Lyrics:
“CINDERELLA
Mother cannot guide you.
Now you’re on your own.
Only me beside you.
Still, you’re not alone.
No one is alone, truly.
No one is alone.
Sometimes people leave you
halfway through the wood.
Others may deceive you.
You decide what’s good.
You decide alone.
But no one is alone.
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
I wish…
CINDERELLA(To Little Red)
I know…
Mother isn’t here now. BAKER(to Jack)
Wrong things, right things…
Who knows what she’d say?
Who can say what’s true?
Nothing’s quite so clear now-
Do things, fight things…
Feel you’ve lost your way?
You decide, but
You are not alone, You are not alone.
Believe me.
No one is alone.
No one is alone,
Believe me.
Truly…
BOTH
You move just a finger,
Say the slightest word,
Something’s bound to linger,
Be heard.
No one acts alone.
Careful, no one is alone.
CINDERELLA
People make mistakes. People make mistakes.
Fathers,
Mothers,
BOTH
People make mistakes,
Holding their own,
Thinking they’re alone.
CINDERELLA
Honor their mistakes…
Fight for their mistakes-
Everybody makes-
BOTH
One another’s
Terrible mistakes.
Witches can be right,
Giants can be good.
You decide what’s right,
You decide what’s good.
CINDERELLA
Just remember:
BAKER
Just remember:
BOTH
Someone is on your side.
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD & JACK
Our side.
CINDERELLA & BAKER
Our side-
Someone else is not.
While we’re seeing our side-
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD & JACK
Our side….
CINDERELLA & BAKER
Our side-
ALL
Maybe we forgot:
They are not alone.
No one is alone.
CINDERELLA
Hard to see the light now.
BAKER
Just don’t let it go.
BOTH
Things will come out right now.
We can make it so.
Someone is on you side,
No one is alone.”
Why this song’s so cool: uhhhh… because it IS.
Why this song’s helpful: Not everyone will understand what you are going through, but you’re not alone. No one is alone.
Reading is always a way to escape reality for a little while into a different universe.
Juliet Marillier is one of my favorite authors. I love and re-read almost all of her books. She deals primarily in historical fantasy – mostly for adults, and some for young adults.
Blackthorn and Grim:
The Blackthorn and Grim trilogy consists of Dreamers Pool, Tower of Thorns, and Den of Wolves.
This particular series touches on some very serious issues, such as PTSD, trust-building, growth, recovery, how helping others can help yourself, and how to rebuild your life after you have suffered from extreme trauma. PLUS: medieval Ireland, unconventional heroes, and mysterious MAGIC!
Here is part of the description of the first book:
“What if you were locked up awaiting execution and a stranger offered you a bargain that would set you free? What if accepting bound you to certain rules of behaviour for seven years, rules you knew you were likely to break within days? And what if the penalty for breaking them was to find yourself back where you started, eaten up with bitterness and waiting to die?
Blackthorn chooses life, even though she must promise not to seek vengeance against her arch-enemy, Lord Mathuin. In company with a cell-mate, the hulking, silent Grim, the one-time healer and wise woman flees north to Winterfalls, where she settles on the fringe of the mysterious Dreamer’s Wood. Blackthorn has promised her benefactor, the fey nobleman Conmael, that she will use her gifts only for good. But she and Grim are both scarred by the past, and the embittered healer finds her promise increasingly hard to keep.”
The future looks grim, and you are going to have to make some sacrifices and be fierce and strong as hell if you want to survive.
You gotta stock up on weapons and survival gear. You gotta have a strong, supportive gang to have your back.
YOUR ZOMBIE SURVIVAL KIT NEEDS:
A compass – Helps you know what direction is what. Make some goals. What do you want to do and where do you want to go? What direction is that? Use your compass to help you get there. If you see that you’re straying off the path, use your compass to reorient yourself in the right direction.
A first aid kit – You’re gonna get wounded. It’s inevitable. This is war, and you’re fighting for your life and your right to not be consumed by the enemy. Make sure you know how to mend yourself up and heal. When you’re hurting and in pain, what helps comfort you and alleviate your symptoms? Make a kit that is full of practical support, special treats, soothing remedies, happy things to revive you, and reminders that you are loved.
Duct tape – When you gotta patch things (or yourself) up in a hurry. Sometimes there’s no time for a first aid kit. You need a tough, quick fix that will hold until you can regroup and come back to reevaluate. When there is an unexpected emergency or sudden crisis, you need something sturdy, durable, and dependable. Have a strategy for coping and dealing with unforeseen calamity.
Food – the healthy (keep up your strength), easily accessible (you may have to eat on the run) and hopefully non perishable (grocery store runs are going to be a difficulty) kind. Can’t fight off them zombies on an empty stomach. Everything feels better when you’re well-fed. (But not TOO well-fed – zombies are unpredictable and you never know when you’ll have to be running and fighting again.)
Practical, multi-purpose, comfortable clothes – Can’t fight zombies barefoot or in a tight, pencil skirt . Well you could… but why make it harder on yourself? Let’s be efficient here. Layers are great. Keep warm with your favorite blood-stained and battle-scarred hoodie. Wear something that makes you feel confident – like you CAN take on those zombies! That might mean something different for everybody. Something loose so you’re cozy enough to sleep in it – saves time and energy. Lots of pockets for carrying around those tools and accessories and chapstick. A sarcastic t-shirt to show those zombies you don’t give a fuck.
No-nonsense hairdo – Zombies can pull long hair. Don’t let unruly bangs and fly-aways distract you from the fight of your life. Keep that hair secure and low-maintenance with a rugged bandana and no damage hair tie. Otherwise, it’s just a constant annoyance and drain on your focus and energy.
Something to do – For downtime between zombie attacks. Strangely, there’s not always a constant onslaught of frenzied zombie attacks. You want to make the most of the times when you’re feeling okay and there aren’t that many zombies on the horizon. Deal with necessities first: self-care (food, water, rest, hygeine). Then work on maintenance-type things. Stock your pantry and replenish your first aid kit. Work out new strategies with your zombie-fighting team. Resolve disputes, repair the border fences and clean and practice with your weapons. Next, try to make progress on your goals. Scout the vicinity for supplies, tools, allies, and anything that can help you on your quest. And don’t forget to relax, have some fun, and release some tension. Maybe a deck of cards?
Flashlight – Sometimes zombies attack at night. They are just not that respectful of your sleep schedule and plans. Deal with it. Shining light on your surroundings will help you see them more clearly. Start with a broad sweep of the entire area around you, then focus in on potential problem areas.
Lighter/matches – Even flashlights fail sometimes. Your batteries run out eventually. Or they malfunction. Or fall out. You need a backup light source. It”s hard to fight blind, so don’t let that happen. You want to know what is going on around you. Also, a way to start a fire so you can keep warm. Sometimes body heat isn’t enough, and you will need to look outside yourself and your fluffy jacket for safety, warmth, comfort, light, and hope.
Binoculars – Be on the lookout for the threat. Do regular checks and sweeps of areas you know are weak points. Learn to recognize the signs. Know what’s coming. You can’t just look at the things right next to you – you have to organize your troops and plan ahead. If you have some idea of what is coming and about when it will affect you and your situation, you can more easily and efficiently take action to mitigate or eliminate the danger in advance.
Swiss army knife – A versatile multi-tool to MacGyver your way out of awkward and dangerous situations. Something you can apply to all sorts of predicaments in order to get positive results or avoid negative ones. Cut bad things out of your life. Uncork your feelings. Build a better mindframe.
Melee weapon – Things are going to get up close and personal and you’re going to get dirty and feel gross. If you only use a gun all the time you are going to come to depend on it and not see any other options or opportunities. And do you want to attract more zombies and make things worse? Besides, you think there’s an endless supply of bullets out there? NO! So unless you have extensive experience as an ammunition engineer, and you’re also conveniently a crack shot, invest in a good, sharp machete, and a heavy baseball/cricket bat. That way you can really show those zombies who is boss and have the satisfaction of personal triumph in your conquest. And you will be assured that your adversary is irrevocably and indisputably dead. With each success, you are establishing a pattern of success that will grow exponentially stronger and increase your confidence and likelihood of succeeding again against future foes.
Long-range weapon – Okay, fine, I guess you can have a gun. It’s not ideal, but sometimes there is no other way to take down a zombie that is far away, and the benefits outweigh the risks. You’d be a fool not to take advantage of every tool in your arsenal, and this can help to save you trouble in the long run. But make sure you’re aware of the risks and be careful and safe when you have to bring out the heavy artillery. Train yourself up, don’t point it at your allies, know how to use it, and be precise so you don’t waste your shot.
Good health – As good as you can get it. Take care of yourself. Doesn’t matter how many machetes you have if you’re too weak and exhausted to use them. Drink lots of water, take vitamins if you can find them, and don’t forget to stretch your body before and after a vigorous zombie killing. Also, don’t forget to exercise your body so you can protect yourself. Also… endorphins. Remember to pay close attention to what your body needs and keep training yourself in positive habits. Tools are great, but YOU are your best weapon. You’ll never be without yourself.
Zombies are going to try to eat your brains. Be prepared, have resources you can trust, and always remember the double-tap.
