Mental Illness Isn't Rare... So Why Don't We Talk About It?

I'm writing this post because I know that Bell did a campaign last year talking about mental illness and depression... Then it seemed that as soon as the month was over, 

WHOOSH! MENTAL ILLNESS DISAPPEARED! 

Well, at least that's what it felt like to read most online sites. No one seems to want to talk about it anymore... Because it isn't "sexy". 

I'm hoping to shed light on what mental illness, or rather what I'd like to call mental wellness looks like in the everyday life.

Its when you know you have that "crazy" aunt or uncle that everyone says is "touched"... But you know that person as the fun aunt or uncle who speaks his/her mind and always brings joy to the house.

Its when all of a sudden, your sister or cousin goes through that bout of depression, and couldn't get up out of bed for three months on end, and had to take sick leave. And this was all "blamed" on a break-up or some other major traumatic event in one's life.

Or, in my example, it was me, not realizing that I was going through a "spell" (aka a crazy depressed period), until I looked back on my life at that time. I realized that none of the pictures I took showed me smiling, I'd aged by at least 20 years in only 1 year, and gained enough weight to make me resemble what I can only imagine would be myself in an alternate universe! 

Because I grew up in a family where mental illness was quite common, I knew that I had to really make sure my lifestyle allowed for me to always have my wits about me, and have a heightened level of awareness. 

Might you be lacking mental wellness? Keep in mind that it can be something as simple as depression or seasonal affective disorder. If you have read this and want to get well, here are a few simple things you can do : 

• DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE - Please reach out to someone you love and trust, who you can be real, open and honest with, and ask them to help you through what you're going through. I know if I had done so, it wouldn't have taken me so long to come back to life.

• Eat Healthy - Sometimes that sluggish feeling, or not feeling so well about ourselves is actually caused by chemical and neurological imbalances! All those toxins floating around in our body keeps our mental faculties from working properly. Eating balanced, healthy meals (you can always sign up to my free program to find great resources!) helps keep you positive, mentally well and stable, and doing whats best for you and those around you

• Find an expert and ask questions - Whether its someone trusted in your network that has helped other recover, or whether you get a referral from someone like me, never be afraid to ask questions. Fear of asking questions keeps people sick and suffering, and in pain. Folks like us who are all about helping people heal will always do our very best to make sure you get the help you need. 

I'm hoping that the more of my own personal stories about these "tough" subjects, the more others come out and speak about it. I have no more shame about this in my life. There also is no more lingering pain. I've forgiven myself for "falling into despair". Now this is my chance to help others, so that they know they are definitely not alone. 

What else can I give so I can help you heal from your pain? I'm all ears :).

Be Your Own Boss with Gloria Roheim

Tash Jefferies from Wedge15 on Vimeo.

Gloria Roheim and I of Wedge15 talking about the ups and downs and real-deal of being an entrepreneur in this day and age.

What Do You Do When The World Knocks You Down?

Yesterday was one of those days that started out where I felt I could take on the world!!!... And then I got tons of rejection and had major fails (especially with technology!).

No big deal. Meditate, shake it off, and start with a clean slate again the next day...

Yeah right... 

I woke up this morning fresh, wide eyed and bushy tailed, only to have another day filled with MORE rejection and failures, so I had a moment when I started to question why I was doing all this healthy living stuff for, and why I was putting myself out there as hard as I could!  I did the only thing I could think of doing...

Call In My SHEroes :) :) :) 

Yep! Asked my wonderful inspirational voices of wisdom, Chivon John, Karlyn Percil, and Bee Quammie! If you don't know who these ladies are, you gotta check them out. Collectively, we are all committed to helping people be their best selves while keeping things real!

These ladies are my reminder that we can only succeed when we work together, when we learn to be strong, and also when we make sure we get back up when we get knocked down! I'm so blessed that when I have these moments, my SHEroes give me love so I really can get back up renewed, strengthened and ready to take on the world all over again!

Do you have SHEroes and HEroes to reach out to? If not, what is the one step you can take today to find those who can be your support, and who you can support in return?

You Got 99 Problems?

You know that stuff they call drama? Does it work for ya? I mean, does it really get you off your butt and taking care of your own life?

Wanna learn how to stop problems from running your life and turning it into one big mess?

• Acknowledge it!!! - to turn your back on a problem and pretend it doesn't exist is like... sweeping up the dust around your house, for weeks and weeks and weeks, shoving it under the mat until it turns into a big ball of mess, having people trip over it, and YOU saying "Lump? What lump?" Admit to yourself, then OTHERS  (whoever you made a mess with) that you messed up. If you don't, you can never rectify the problem.


• CLEAN IT UP!!! - that's right. Don't focus on the problem. Once you've named the problem, come up with tons of solutions! For instance, if you get a flat tire, you don't whine, and sit and moan about how bad the flat tire was. You call your insurance company, a friend to come get you, whatever you need to do to get you out of the mess! The whole point of this action is to get you to a space of ease and resolution so that you can move on with the rest of life.


• Hold yourself and others accountable - when you do find that solution, especially when you're in a situation that involves other people, don't be afraid to ask people to make you stick to your word! Let's say you've promised someone that you'd stop being late for them. If you've held them accountable to keeping you honest, they can be empowered to call you out when you're not holding to your promises! Let them chew you out if you are late, and come up with a new solution that DOES work for the two of you!

It amazes me how so many people watch their friends and family members mess up, and hold their tongue to the messes they are creating. I don't do that. I speak my mind and call out foolishness where others are willing to be silent. I guess that's why I do my work so well eh?

What mess are you willing to clean up today? And be honest. I promise you I won't judge :) ... Oh, and I won't let you sweep that ball of dirt under the rug either!!! lol.