Hello again lovelies! 

I did one of these check ins back in August, so I just wanted to take the time to check in on everyone again! I know this whole year has been insane; but I know that a lot of good has happened too! So, here is my challenge for you along with Thanksgiving being this month : 


Tell me how you've been! What's going on, how are you truly, do you need help with anything or just someone to listen? 
AND 
Tell me one thing that you are thankful for or something that makes you smile- one positive thing. 

I'll start! 

So, I don't have too much to update as I am lucky enough to work remotely and Steph is still plugging along as she works with animals at a research center. Our family is doing well enough. I'm getting better at my tarot readings! And we've got all of our Christmas presents sorted. So - I'm thankful for all of that, because I know that many others are not in the same position as me. 
Please know that I am ALWAYS here for you! You can message me privately here, on facebook, on instagram, snapchat... you name it, I've got it and it's always an open door/open ear! 

You are wonderful for caring about all of us Sat! < 3

This is a really wonderful thing as I think so often people feel that they are alone and do not have anyone to talk to as others are often too closely related in a situation.

I am glad things have been coming together relatively smoothly for you and you are feeling calm and confident about everything as much as you are able!

I have been struggling off and on for 5 or so years now regarding issues with my stomach. I have off and on spent money trying to figure out the possible reasons but nothing has come up. Recently for over a month now my symptoms have really increased. I finally went into the doctors to no avail. I even went in for a CT Scan of my abdominal area and pelvis, shelled out a good chunk of money even with insurance, to be told that they still cant find a single thing wrong. Makes me feel like I am probably wrong and nothing is wrong with me I am just being too sensitive or worried for no reason. And this time of year I really dont want to be spending unnecessary money because of tryin to buy presents and so forth. *sigh* even writing about this I feel like I am whinning.

BV - I just love my fellow HP'ers! Gotta keep an eye on all my lil babies ♥ 


Tragedy - I am really passionate about mental health and helping others. Call it my love language haha! I definitely was not this calm and collected earlier this year, but things are slowly falling into place now! I'm sorry to hear that you are having issues with your stomach. I know I sometimes get stomach issues that are side effects of my anxiety. And my wife has a lot of stress related stomach issues GERD (basically really bad reflux disorder) to name one. So, I feel your pain! I would definitely say don't give up. You know your body better than anyone else! If you believe that it is something that could be fixed, keep checking into it! But, I also get the need to save money. Holidays are always a struggle with money. 

Wow! This kind of thing definitely isn't allowed on another game that I play and I think it's a mistake. All too often the subject of mental health gets swept aside, typically because people don't know what to say, and in my opinion that's the wrong thing to focus on. I have PTSD, Depression, Social Anxiety, Insomnia, and the occasional suicidal thoughts (Please don't be alarmed. This doesn't mean I'm actively suicidal, I just have the anxious thoughts on a loop sometimes). Mostly, people who struggle with mental health don't want someone to give us platittudes or to have the right words to say. We just want to be heard and understood. Sometimes that means sitting in silence and being a witness.


Currently, for me, the brain weasles (as a friend of mine calls it) are loose and banging on about Thanksgiving stress. This year it's just going to be me and my husband for 5 whole days of alone time. I'm super excited, but another part of me is freaking out. This will be the first time either of us has skipped out on the traditional family get-togethers and it feels weird. He's totally fine about it, but I'm very much a habit type of person. Intellectually I know that everything will be fine, but my anxiety begs to differ.

You would think I'd be relieved as family functions always cause my anxiety to sky rocket, but this particular anxiety is different. "What if I get depressed because we're not with family?", "What about the traditional foods? I don't have the energy to cook that!", "Will my husband be disappointed and regret it?", "Holy cow... 5 days having to feed BOTH OF US?! I hardly eat but he is a total hound!", etc. Welcome to my brain.

I think it's important to have a platform where we can openly discuss mental health (in a safe/respectful way of course as I never ever want to trigger anyone or harm anyone). I want everyone to feel safe here and know that I'm here to listen, give advice if you want it, or share funny memes and such to cheer you up! 

I think it's cute that you call them "brain weasels" ! Totally makes sense! I struggle from anxiety, depression runs in my family, my wife is OCD and so is her mother (but much more extreme). So, I am no stranger to mental health. You are not alone! I will actually be home alone the Friday-Sunday after thanksgiving. Steph is going to visit her grandma for a few days because she's been struggling with depression. I have to stay behind due to work. So I totally get how you're feeling! 

Anxiety is such a beast because it's like intellectually- I know I'm gonna be just fine. But anxiety is like - "BUT WAIT WHAT IF?!" 😂 totallyyyyyyy get that! 

Opinion: this thread should be an ongoing thing.

Mental health wise I'm kicking ass this week. It feels good to be leaving the house to go to work when everything's locked down!

Agreed Blitz.

I have anxiety, which is fun with -gestures to everything-, but I am blessed in that my boyfriend understands and tries to be helpful.

Right now, though, I would consider a low.  I'm functioning - working, eating right, working out, etc.  But with my grandfather sick and my family at odds over his treatment plans it has been quite a lot to take on.  It's made me pretty much in the same day repeatedly.  get up, workout, work, go see Jane, call my mom, then gran to check in, then call the hospital to check on Poppa, then home.

Feels like time is in some weird twisted vortex and I'm on repeat - like some bizzare Tuesday-world.

That's crappy, Neke :( I'm sure the pandemic isn't helping with that either.

It's mostly bad because..

Wll, we knew when he was diagnosed a while back it would inevitably lead downwards to death.  But we expected to be able to be there.  And we can't.  

And the nurse will reiterate things like him asking why we don't love him anymore.

Blitz - I can absolutely keep this thread up/going! 

Neke - Oh that breaks my heart for you and your family. I am going through similar and it's so tough. My grandmother's cancer is back full force and kicking her butt and my grandfather is getting dementia or alzheimer's. His memory is just going down so fast. And they are across the country... So I definitely sympathize with you! I hope that once the virus calms down you and your family will be able to visit with him more! 

So caring Sat 🥰 so sorry about your Grandparents - not easy to deal with.

I'm doing really well. My mental health has stabilised a lot since going on medication back in the Summer. I'm doing lots with ponies and we've done 60 miles since mid November although you can't tell from Tillys podgy weight. 

I start a new part time job in March that I'm looking forward to (although nervous) but its where I had to leave when my health dropped numerous years ago. 

Sam is wow. October he was in vets and we were told we might have months but be prepared to lose him before the weekend is over (tumour over heart) and yesterday he ran around the field leaping for joy and today he pestered for a walk (usually a non walk day after a day in field) but couldn't say no.

I feel very lucky and thankful even though we're in another lockdown.

Never- that is so sad especially that you can't be there. Thinking of you.

I told ya, Mental Health is a passion/calling of mine! 

I'm sorry that you've had a rough time with quarantine, but congrats on getting the new job and yay for pets doing well! 

I watched the video that Blitz posted about, and retweeted as well,  its very easy to help only takes a second 

Im thankful that so far covid has not affected me or my son much other than stores being out of stuff, 

Hi Lady! You beat me to the post! :P 

Yes, today is Bell Let's Talk Day! A very important Canadian holiday that puts mental health as a priority! As I have a great appreciation for all of our Canadian HP'ers - I challenge each of you to just take a moment and watch that video! I know re-tweeting or hashtagging can take energy that you sometimes don't have. But, if you can, try to challenge yourself to just watch the video! Even just doing that helps and it's a pretty short video. Plus, Michael Buble! 

I am here to check in again! How is everyone doing? Anything you want to chat about? My "door" aka my inbox and this forum is always open and always a safe space! 

I love this idea! I’m always available if anyone ever needs someone to talk to! Please don’t hesitate to message me.

oh yay i just dicovered this and im totally on board  for this , i funny enough suffer from 2 different types of anixity on for my autism and one thats new thats a seprate anixity disorder so fun times yay. but its so important to have a place to talk about the good and the bad. so my mental health check in is exhusted but good, i got a much needed break and good news and then decided it was a great idea i go trapsing around a forest for 2hrs after 3, 9 hour work days lol but it is a worry that my current lease company is blanking me lol i told them some super important stuff ahead of the return/leave of being with them but i sent botha text and email so when i show up and see it i am not at fault lol still not looking at a good outcome but not much i can do if they ignore me lol good news i found a amazing company that will take me on even if i get blacklisted so yay! i can spend the next 5 days cleaning and sewing a coat ahead of my much needed health holiday which is sorta why i had to go into the forest lol once i return from my trip the 2 major trigers for my secondary anixity will be gone so woot! im calling it a hard reset lol but first and formost i am acyually escaping for lung health the mental stuff got added lol.

Hi Aoi! Welcome to the thread ♥ 

Wow! I definitely understand the exhaustion. Also, with your rental situation.. I'm a licensed Property Manager. So, if you ever want advice or for me to look over a lease or anything for you, I'm happy to help! I'm licensed in SC - but the federal laws are all the same. 
Walks in the forest sounds lovely! That's how I reset sometimes when things get too overwhelming. I've recently been trying to meditate? Forcing myself to just sit and be still for a few minutes a couple times a week. But the struggle is real cause my anxious brain won't settle enough. So, that's my current self- challenge. 

You can sew clothes?! That's so cool! 

oh i should clarify its a car lease and i may be able to lease a new car with a new company when i come back -the lease company does rentals for uber drivers- my housing situation is secure lol like legit unless you die or win the lotto YOU NEVER LEAVE...... its kinda like project housing in the states but a lot harder to get out of and in some places better are better than others. when i moved here 8 years ago it was full of old people, a mum on hospice and a young guy, it was so peaceful. so yeah the hospice people and one of the old ones died and the young one got done for something illegal so yeah there was a new round of neighbours which have been a pain -drugs, alchol and domestic abuse- so yeah im missing the peace but the drug unit has erected a fence that im pretty sure violates tenacy or will be an extension to the junk yard behind the very well made fence is a amored door that housing already pissed about so yeah housing may kick them out over that -fingers crossed- joy cause the drugs and junk cars will be gone as well as the rubbish dumping on the common area. and the aggressive neighbour is already in trouble from the resorts consistant complaints so she will probably be moved to a different housing complex, the new guy in 10 is very nice but i dont get why they gave him a 3 bed unit when he only one and there was a vacant 2 bed..... covid has made it hard for housing to get out and inforce stuff let alone inspect stuff. so yeah may be a while. so tassie will be a hard reset for me like you do for your phone to fix it lol and hopefully when i come back one will be gone lol. alas i live in a tourist town where rentals are super hard and expensive i pay like 150 pw for my 2 bed townhouse w/ front and back yard and get to have my pup under 10kg. like i can pay 250pw but self contained places that alow pets are like gold lol a unit like mine in my area in the market is like 300-350pw for comparison. so yeah aoi needs to win the lotto or a prize home to leave lol.

Aoi - I am so sorry! I don't know how I missed that update. I hope that you are doing well and staying safe! 

How is everyone? We have survived another month! It's almost March! The sun will be shining soon and we all will be able to get some much needed fresh air and Vitamin D! 

Here is a little inspiration for you : 

lol well my health holiday is going well and ive got 2 cars lined up on my return so looks good to get back to work. ive been doing so much better, now off valium havent had a single one since i got to tassie lol but i still have some if i need it on my return.