Mental Health

The other day, a suggested post in one of my social media feeds introduced me to the idea of NO-vember. In a nutshell, you are free to say no to ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING this month if it drains your energy. This isn't necessarily a new concept, but I like to think of it as Marie-Kondo-ing my so-called and quite often self-inflicted obligations (instead of my home). If it doesn't spark joy, then you can say no to it with no guilt whatsoever. Honestly, it shouldn't take social media posts or witty phrasing to help us understand something we should already be doing. There should never be any guilt associated with doing what is best for you, even if that means...

*TRIGGER WARNING: Eating Disorders* I was in the 8th grade at my very, VERY small private school in my ridiculously small town, when a classmate’s mother- a nurse- performed scoliosis checks for all nine (yes, NINE) of my classmates. At some point, she stepped out into the hall and announced, in front of a few of my classmates, that she needed to recheck the “chubby girl.” She was talking about me, and everyone instinctively knew it. I didn’t learn that she’d said that until later that day, but I vividly and painfully remember the mortification I felt at the time. If I could have folded in on myself and simply disappeared, I would have. In retrospect, I can recognize that an adult...

Disclosure :: This post is sponsored by Ochsner Baton Rouge.  Why Am I Depressed During the Holidays? The holidays are supposed to be happy. But maybe for you, the holiday season brings dread, sadness, depression, feelings of isolation and unhappiness. If you feel this way, you are not alone. Millions of people experience holiday depression beginning in the autumn and continuing through the new year. A few reasons why people get depressed during the holidays include the following: Seasonal affective disorder typically occurs during the winter months (some people experience it in other seasons). This condition causes people to experience depression as the season begins; as the season ends, they slowly feel better. Since most major holidays happen during the winter, this condition...

I have a confession to make. I often find myself daydreaming about being the perfect Pinterest Mom, with her on-point hair and outfit, seemingly having everything together. The one with the patience for Montessori-type activities, home-cooked well balanced nightly meals, and matching themed pajamas for the entire family. Yes, I can be crafty and over the top sometimes, but for the most part, I consider myself a “lazy” parent. Let me go on record saying that I love being a mom. My whole world has changed since having children. They have brought out both the best and worst in me and I’ve learned so much about what I’m truly capable of throughout this parenting journey. While I love my children...

My beautiful, sensitive, emotional first-born child sat in my bed last night, screaming in my face that he could not take it anymore. And then he said the words no parent EVER wants to hear: I am having suicidal thoughts. My entire world ground to a halt. HARD. STOP. When your child- your entire reason for being, tells you they want to die, NOTHING else matters. Not. A. Single. Thing.  I sobbed hysterically as I called my sister- a doctor, for advice. My stomach roiled as I talked to the pediatrician's after-hours nurse who had just recently gone through the same thing with her own child. She comforted me as I cried softly through her directions. When she asked if he would be admitted...