Ellen and I make very little sense together to people who only know one of us but not really the other. It feels weird talking (writing) about her here. Because… I can’t just describe her. And, I’m sure that the her *I* describe wouldn’t at all be the her that *she* would describe. 🙂 Plus,Continue reading “A best friend is someone to treasure”
Author Archives: loribarett
“I’m not good enough”
This quick and dirty post brought to you by a session with my therapist today. You know those intense feelings of inadequacy and fear? What happens when they are combined with feelings of shame and fear? Maybe add a dash of powerlessness and hopelessness. For extra fun, let’s also throw in some guilt. That joyfulContinue reading ““I’m not good enough””
Dungeons & Dragons is more than a game
Ok. I get to talk about happiness again for this challenge. And, I am going to talk about something I’ve been wanting to talk about here for the longest time. Things. People. Activities. What brings me happiness? Dungeons & Dragons is the first thing that will always come to mind. I’ve played D&D, off andContinue reading “Dungeons & Dragons is more than a game”
Memory is a funny thing
The most famous story in my family has always been told about my sister Tina. Everyone knows this story. When we were little, living in Arizona (we lived pretty well out in the boonies up in Flagstaff for a time), our family was extra extra poor. Fresh red meat was something we didn’t get aContinue reading “Memory is a funny thing”
Contemplations on happiness in general
I have an entire list in the Notes app on my phone that names things that make me happy. It numbers in the hundreds. Sometimes, when I used to hit the point of “I need a tattoo” to appease the mental breakdown gods, I would pull out that list to determine what that tattoo wouldContinue reading “Contemplations on happiness in general”
How would I describe my personality?
My therapist told me that I have the “gift of intensity.” I think that’s the perfect description of who I am. Describing my personality in concrete terms has been hard to figure out over the years, because it was always me trying to differentiate my innate personality from the symptoms that come as a resultContinue reading “How would I describe my personality?”
Connecting with other people
Vulnerability. That’s the magic word when it comes to connection. It’s when we let our guard down and find acceptance in who we are. It’s feeling free to be silly. Feeling free to express our honest emotions. Feeling free to let go and tell the world what’s in our heads and in our hearts. WhenContinue reading “Connecting with other people”
I am ready
After only a few sessions with my newest therapist, I can definitively say, I REALLY LIKE HER! I feel connected to her already, and really appreciate her approach to working with me. I feel that this will be a very good relationship. I can’t believe that I’ve won the therapist lottery, again. In the shortContinue reading “I am ready”
Therapy and Railroading
If you have ever played a game like Dungeons & Dragons or some other RPG, you have probably heard the term “railroading.” Railroading is when a game master forces the players in an RPG down a predetermined story path that they’ve already decided the outcome or main beats of – and, as such, it cannotContinue reading “Therapy and Railroading”
Fight Club
“You do not talk about Fight Club.” That’s how I grew up. My family was Fight Club. I can’t process so much of what’s happening with my mental health without talking about my relationship with my parents and what it was like growing up in my family. It’s the basis for so many of theContinue reading “Fight Club”
Kid-friendly roller-coaster
I had a great time driving back from Maine last week. There was one section of the drive home, I think ME-131 S or ME-235 S or thereabouts north of Boothbay Harbor, where the road felt (to me) a bit like a kid-friendly roller-coaster. Up and down, twist and turn. Not at full speed (becauseContinue reading “Kid-friendly roller-coaster”
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Please take note. As of a few days ago, 988 has become the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. A person can either call or send a text message using just these three numbers. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones,Continue reading “988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline”
Making me smile
What a difference I feel from the crash I recently went through. It started with a friend. A friend who remembered something I had said so long ago. A friend who remembered how to help me, even when I kept saying I was fine and needed no help. She told me she missed me, andContinue reading “Making me smile”
Fighting to smile
I’m just not feeling it today. I am questioning myself. My brain has latched onto negative things someone I don’t even know said about me behind my back. My brain has taken those negative things and is taking me down a path that is just a fucking nightmare. I’ve gotten pretty good at fighting negativeContinue reading “Fighting to smile”
Inspiring a culture of change
Last week I received back an invitation to fill out an administrative questionnaire from the place I applied for a job at. I was immediately excited, because I am extremely confident in my ability to express myself in writing. The questionnaire had your basic questions. Organization skills (it asked me to go into detail!).Why amContinue reading “Inspiring a culture of change”
Welcome to my world 