Let’s get the message out about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
* * * Trigger Warning * * *
This post contains material on the subjects of suicide, suicidal ideation and self-harm. If any of these subjects may be a trigger for you, please close this page. The purpose is to bring attention to Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Suicide is a subject that invokes a lot of emotions in me. Living with mental illness, I have dealt with suicidal ideation for as long as I can remember. Sadly, I’ve also lost more than a dozen friends to this dark evil.
The pain suicide causes to the families and friends who are left behind is one that never goes away. …
A poem about the internal voices you fight when coping with mental illness.
Voices
Voices swirling in my head
The constant drone goes on
Filling me with fear and dread
Wishing to just be gone
Speaking lies in horrid tones
Stating I’m never good
Adding weight to crush my bones
Sure I’m misunderstood
Chiding me to harm myself
Telling me pain means love
Putting truth up on the shelf
Doubting what’s up above
Voices scream and torment me
Night and day echoes blare
I crave my mind be set free
To never have to share
No pills make these voices cease
My comrades stay with me
Their message won’t steal my peace
I’ll fight…
When there’s too many or not enough words.
To be a writer, you have to be a little off. Maybe it’s why so many writers also have a mental illness. Or perhaps, having bipolar disorder may inspire you to become a writer.
I can’t be certain on this one.
What I can tell you is what it’s like to be a writer with bipolar disorder.
Just like everything else in life, bipolar makes the world of writing an adventurous place. Typically, I’m in one of three phases. What follows summarizes the unique struggles of being a writer with bipolar disorder.
I can write everything
Bipolar disorder is best known by its two cycling episodes of mania and depression. While you live most days somewhere in between, the two extremes can hit without warning and with a vengeance. …
A poem about narcissistic abusers.
Pretentious
You spew words
Brandishing them like shiny swords
Contentious
You start fights
Enraging — your sarcasm bites
Flirtatious
You wink eyes
Charming crowds with your Cheshire cries
Imperious
You put down
Demeaning all who doubt your crown
Nefarious
You hide crimes
Hiding facts with deceptive rhymes
Blasphemous
You speak lies
Deceiving in a svelte disguise
Outrageous
You shine light
Starring onstage — it’s yours each night
Ravenous
You eat souls
Leaving your prey in half-dug holes
Mischievous
You scheme plans
Caring just for what fills your hands
Why you should eat a frog first thing in the morning to stop procrastinating.
Have you had your frog this morning? No, I haven’t completely lost my mind. Hang with me for a moment.
Asking if you’ve had a frog probably sounds a little insane, unless you are someone who likes to have frogs for breakfast.
Hey, it’s possible. Maybe.
Let’s try another question.
Are you buried in to-dos today? It’s the weekend, but for many of us, the weekend seldom equates to rest. There’s often just as much, if not more, to do on the weekends.
When you’re coping with illness, those to-do lists feel endless. Try as you may, you never seem to work through half of them. …
The top three ways writing in a journal will improve your writing habit.
Do you ever feel stuck? Are there days when the words just won’t come? If you are a writer, you can relate.
While there’s some disagreement over whether writer’s block exists, we’ve all experienced days our muse refused to show up. I hate those days. No doubt you do, too.
Writing is an art and an exercise.
Sometimes the art appears like magical butterflies bringing gifts of words and prose. Everything is wonderful on those days.
At other times, it’s like physical exercise — sweaty and exhausting. Those days, you force yourself to sit down at the keyboard and pound out words no matter how much you don’t want to. …
Giving up is the only true failure.
“There is no failure except in no longer trying.” — Elbert Hubbard
Trigger Warning: Self-harm
“Had a bad day again…” So starts the iconic song by Fuel. It’s one of the songs in the soundtrack of my life.
Bad days are part of having a mental illness. It might be a bad day because you made a poor choice. Perhaps you slipped back into the habit of self-harm, lost impulse control, or gave in to substance abuse.
The weight of your mistake can be crushing. …
A poem of love possibilities.
Short Read
No matter what you are doing in life, make sure you are doing your best.
“Whatever you are, be a good one.” — Abraham Lincoln
Growing up, there was one phrase heard in our household more than any other, “Any job worth doing is worth doing right.” Whether we were taking out the trash, picking rocks in the garden, or sweeping the floor, my parents expected us to do everything right the first time.
It was a lesson we sometimes missed. When we did, my parents had an interesting way of teaching us to do better.
For example, we took turns clearing the table after dinner. If my parents checked and the table was still dirty, we had to wash it five more times. If we repeated our mistake the next time, we would have to wash the table ten times. …
Be Better
Includes motivational comments to help you apply quotes to your life.
It’s amazing how a few words can have a great impact. That’s especially true when reading inspirational quotes for living with mental illness.
I love quotes. In fact, I have books full of them. I scribble them in journals, on sticky notes, and on the backs of envelopes from bills long paid.
My favorite quotations are the ones with the power to get me through the day. This collection of powerful, inspirational quotes will help you have a better week.
Refuse to Quit
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