Hey guys! Yoo-hoo! I’m still here…I’ve just been taking a wee break.

October came and went, and with that I saw the 1 year anniversary of this wonderful blog of mine. I wasn’t sure how to mark the date. Although I was excited, a lot was going on in my life; things I never thought I would experience, things I never planned for. So instead of celebrating, I took a step back. A moment to reflect, if you will. I wasn’t sure if I would share any of this, but the more I thought about it, I realized that I have a platform to inspire and support others, so here I am.

I’ve re-written this post a handful of times, with some versions more detailed than others. But in the end, I decided to simply share some lessons I’ve learned that have helped me get through hard and unexpected times. I hope they inspire anyone who may also be going through a tough time, or even give a ray of hope for anybody feeling down.

• Take care of yourself. That may seem like a selfish thing to say, but you must! Trauma and loss can consume you, especially when there is little you can do to improve the situation. I’ve recently taken up meditation, and I love it! I downloaded a free app called Headspace, and have made this a part of my daily routine. It’s a moment just for me.
• Don’t lose sight of the things that bring you joy. You may not be able to control your situation of loss, but you control the positive things that allow you joy. For me, this is my blog and my writing. It may have seemed daunting to come back to it, but I realized the joy it brought me and how important it was to have that in my life.
• Rely on your true friends. I cannot even imagine where I would be without my closest friends.They have been by my side to support me with absolutely no judgement. They have listened to me vent on the phone, taken me out for countless coffees, and stepped up to all of my odd requests for support. True friends bring a special light into your life that is irreplaceable. And yes, I’m including some of my family members on this list!
• Make your mental health a priority. Loss and trauma can be overwhelming, and despite how positive you try to remain, it can seem like too much to handle on your own. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to seek help from a professional, whether it’s from a therapist, Psychologist, counselor, or support group. Nobody is there to judge you, only help you.

I know it may be hard to believe when you are in the eye of the storm, so to speak, but everything will be okay. And when the calm arrives, you will be that much stronger from the experiences you’ve had to deal with and get through. I promise. ❤