Hey guys. It’s been a while.

Before you yell at me: I know I’ve been a bad blog mom lately.

The truth is, my workload is a lot heavier this semester, and I haven’t had as much time as I did in the fall to focus on my personal projects. Even my Instagram has been starved of my attention the last few weeks.

I also have a new job as a content creator for my student government – I write for a living. So, by the time I have a minute to myself, my creative muscles are usually all worn out.

It sounds like a bunch of excuses, I know, but believe me – I didn’t forget about you.

In fact, I miss you guys. If I could, I’d stand outside your window with a boombox, blasting Peter Gabriel and begging you to take me back. Except, maybe an iPhone instead of a boombox (it’s 2020, after all). And, maybe John Legend instead of Peter Gabriel. Anyways, you get it.

When I sat down to write this post, I truly had zero clue what I wanted to talk about. That’s been happening to me a lot lately, and I think that’s another part of the reason I’ve fallen behind. But, I digress.

I knew I wanted to address my recent absence and apologize for being away for so long. Yet, as soon as I had that thought, any productive brainstorming was quickly silenced by my inner critic. I was like,

“Come on, Gabby. You seriously couldn’t keep up with one blog post a week? There’s no way your workload was that heavy. You’re such a stupid, lazy slob.”

I know that’s unfair, because I know how busy I’ve been. Therefore, I should be understanding of myself.

But that’s not how my brain works, I guess. So, when I couldn’t get out of the self-hate cycle, I closed my laptop and did some word art.

And that’s when I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about.

I spend all this time letting you in to the hardest parts of my life. How come I’ve never shared how I cope with them?

Without further ado, here are the top six ways I manage my mental illnesses:

1. Move those muscles

Okay, it’s the most obvious. But there’s a reason everyone and their mom tells you exercise works: it does!

I love Pilates and running because they force me to focus on my music and let me destress. If that’s not your thing, keep looking until you find what is – there are tons of options when it comes to getting your sweat on.

2. Inhale, exhale

If there’s one thing I know, it’s that you should never underestimate the power of your lungs. I’m not saying that because I used to be a singer, I’m saying it because breath control has prevented many a panic attack.

Sometimes I count my breaths in my head, and other times I use visual aids, like this:

3. Reach out

I’m an introvert, I live alone and I have depression. To put it lightly, that isn’t always the best combo. If I’m not in school or at work, I can easily go days without speaking to anyone, and my brain starts snowballing itself into chaos.

Often times, all it takes to feel better is a five-minute conversation with a loved one. It’s not just me who thinks that, either – it’s well-documented that socializing is linked to happiness.

Ask someone you love how their day was; it’ll make you both feel better.

4. Get creative

I couldn’t write this post without including the thing that inspired me to write this post. I’m not a fan of keeping a diary (though, arguably, that’s what this blog is), but I do have stacks of notebooks and colourful pens in my self-care arsenal.

There’s something really cathartic about word art. The right combination of fonts, colours and embellishments makes a phrase dance on the page in such a satisfying way.

And if you do it regularly, soon you’ll have your own little motivational art museum!

5. Watch the clock

This one’s boring but necessary. Between school, work and routine chores, I basically have something to do every minute of the day. I’ve found the best way to prevent my responsibilities from sending my anxiety on a rampage is following a schedule.

I don’t have to freak out about meeting deadlines, because I know I’ve carved out time specifically for every job. I stick my planner on my wall next to my bed, so I can cross things off as they get done.

6. Flip the script

I saved the hardest one for last.

It’s not quick fix, nor is it fun, but it’s truly the only thing that’ll help you cope long-term. You need to change how you talk to yourself. No berating yourself for skipping a workout, making a mistake at work or abandoning your blog for almost two months.

Ha.

I suppose that’s where my expertise ends. I’ve nowhere near mastered the art of healthy self-talk. But, then again, I suppose no one has. We’re all works-in-progress; all we can do is try to be better than yesterday.

These are some things that make me feel better. If you have any of your own you’d like to share, I’d love to hear about them down in the comments. But, if not, that’s okay too.

I just hope you’re trying to be better than yesterday.