Tag: Help

Can’t Sleep? Try This

I usually have the ability to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. I’ve been that way ever since I was a child. My parents joke that when I was little, I used to tell them that I wasn’t tired and then as soon as I laid down in bed, I was out like a light!

There are times, however, when my mind is racing, my nerves are unsettled, and I am feeling so restless. There are times when it’s 2:00 a.m. and I can be found still lying in bed wide awake. In those moments, there is something that I turn to.

Finding Out

One day I was scrolling through YouTube videos, and I came across a video for Delta Waves. I had never seen any of the videos before. I thought that I would check it out.

I am a huge fan of YouTube. I love to look at all sorts of videos from cooking to vlogs and funny clips. I just really enjoy the variety of what YouTube has to offer. I am always discovering something new, such as this!

Delta Waves

I clicked on one of the videos like the one I will share below, and I was almost instantly calmed. It reminded me of meditation music. I was able to focus on the beautiful and relaxing beat as I drifted away instead of being consumed by my racing thoughts.

I found delta waves to be so relaxing and filled me with much peace. The music almost put me in a trance. I could feel myself getting lost in it. No matter what mood I am in, this beat has the ability to soothe me, and in most cases, I fall asleep rather quickly. Here is one of the videos to give you an idea of what delta waves music sounds like.

YouTube video by Silent Rhythm

I use videos like this one to help me sleep on those nights when I have trouble. I also use these videos when I am stressed out or I just need to get my mind to stop running on a hamster wheel.

Have you heard of delta waves music before? If you listened to the video above, how did it make you feel?

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Debating on Whether to Reach Out

A few years ago, I was working with a large group of people. We all became like a family. Our job in the medical field was a tough one and that lead to many stressful days and burnout. We were there to support each other and build each other up. Due to the stress of the job, we also dealt with several strong emotions and conflicts with each other.

Despite the ups and downs of this “family,” working here was one of my favorite experiences and one of my favorite jobs. I met so many beautiful souls and I still keep in touch with many of them today. They have changed my life and shown me what true support and friendship are. There is, however, one individual that I lost contact with, and it’s been on my mind since if I should try to reach out one last time.

Here’s the Story

One of the young ladies that worked there became one of my closest friends, we will call her Sara. She would often call me “sister”. So many people often made comments that we look alike, which made the name even more endearing. We always had each other’s backs and were there to support each other through the stress, trials, challenges, tears, and joy.

We kept each other up to date on our lives and I felt like someone understood me. I felt that she was a true friend, and I was so thankful. We were both dealing with major life changes, and we knew that we could rely on each other for support and laughter to get us through.

A few years ago, I had to leave this job unexpectedly due to a life circumstance. I was so sad to leave, and I was especially sad to leave behind my work family. At the same time, I was relieved to not have so much stress in my life from this job. Sara was sad to see me leave because we were partners in crime. She then transferred over to a different department within the company. We remained in touch for a few years.

A Change

I noticed that Sara was becoming more distant and taking a long time to respond to my messages. I chalked it up to her being busy and didn’t think much of it. She would check in with me to see how I was doing and what was going on with my life, but she didn’t want to talk about hers. It dawned on me that maybe something wasn’t right. I asked her how she was doing and that I noticed that she was acting differently. She told me that she was “trying to keep her depression away.” I sent her a comforting message letting her know that I was there for her if she wanted to talk and then I gave her some space.

I decided to send Sara a message about a month after this just saying that I was thinking of her, however, she never responded. I waited for a few weeks and just sent a message saying hello, but no response. Considering the last thing that she told me was that she was trying to keep her depression at bay, naturally, I was very concerned. I know that she is at least physically okay, but mentally I am not sure because she never responded.

My Thoughts

I have dealt with depression on and off since my teenage years. It has reached a definite low point, but for the most part, I am fairly functional. I have taken great steps in the last several years that have helped me live a much happier life but feeling down still creeps in from time to time. I know with some people that the mere act of getting out of bed is too much, I have heard of the ways that depression can be absolutely debilitating. I still have a burning question in the back of my mind.

Do I reach out? Not answering my text is an answer, however, given the circumstances, it’s hard to know what to do. You want someone to know that you are there for them, but you don’t want to cross the line. I have noticed that sometimes those struggling with depression appreciate the nudge and the fact that someone cares enough about them even when they don’t necessarily feel like talking. Others want to be left alone. It’s a fine line to walk. I would appreciate any advice from others who may have been in a similar situation. It has been a few months and no word from Sara. 

Possibly this is a friendship that has ended, or maybe when she’s feeling better it will pick up where it left off…only time will tell.

Writing Rut? I Hope This Helps

When I first started blogging, I wondered how in the world I would come up with enough topics to write about. I remember thinking to myself that if I had kept going for years, wouldn’t I run out of things to say?

I have been blogging on WordPress for four years and on Medium for only six months. In those four years on WordPress, I have experienced writer’s block a few times. I had to take a break from WordPress for several months a while ago after some things happened in my life. After this, I then vowed to keep going strong no matter what life threw at me and I have ever since!

My Thoughts 

Usually, I have so many thoughts and ideas that I can’t get them down fast enough. I typically write down a title and a brief description so that I don’t forget what I wanted to say. I then attach a picture and save this in my drafts.

There are times, however, when my mind is blank, and I cannot come up with anything to write about. Often this happens when I am tired or very stressed out. If I am experiencing a lot of anxiety or I am not in a great mood, that truly affects how clear my mind is and it can make writing very difficult. There are several things that I do to get my thoughts flowing again. Here are some ways that I get ideas for my next blog posts!

Coming Up with Ideas

  • Think of past life experiences
  •  Write about your thoughts and feelings
  •  Ponder over questions that you have about life
  •  Sit in nature and let creativity find you
  •  Be inspired by comments that others are sharing
  •  Reading other stories often trigger a story idea of your own
  •  Write about daily happenings in your life
  •  What can you teach the world?
  •  Let us hear about an interesting or odd experience

Get Started!

Most importantly get started! Pick up a pen or get out your laptop and let your mind wander and take you somewhere. If all else fails, if you have older work that you haven’t published for the world to see, you can get that out in the open. You never know who might be needing to see your story!

I truly hope that you have found at least one of these tips helpful! As writers, we go through many seasons, some full of thoughts and others where we become quieter and more introspective. It’s important to listen to our bodies, but also know when to keep following our passion. An idea will come to you sooner or later and you will be on your way again!

An Unforgettable Sight

I was out running errands the other day, I happened to stumble across a building complex. I have seen the buildings before, but I have never ventured over to that side to see what was there.

One of my doctors has an office that is not too far from this little complex, so I decided to drive by and see what type of businesses and stores were there.

In My Car

The parking lot was fairly packed with cars, there seemed to be little odd and end businesses. There were a lot more cars parked at the end of this little complex. As I drove by, I could see many women and their kids coming out of one of the buildings. What they were carrying broke my heart.

As I got closer, I could see these women taking groceries out on dollies to their cars. This business was one that is for kids who are in need. I watched as many women with their little ones came out smiling. They were holding bags of fruit, diapers, and snacks. They were proudly carrying milk to their cars.

In My Feelings

Tears instantly came to my eyes as I watched these families come out with joy on their faces. The fact that their lives were made that much easier would bring joy to anyone’s face.

The kids were lit up as they carried their milk and snacks to their cars. This donation center is helping so many, especially in this time of economic crisis. I donate my clothes and spare items several times a year and to know that someone is out there smiling because of it is a huge blessing and brings me tremendous joy.

I kept driving on as the tears kept flowing from my eyes. This was far from what I expected to see as I ventured around, but I was happy to see that there is help for people that need it. I was happy to see that people are actively donating, even grocery stores are donating massive amounts of groceries and items like diapers to help humanity.

Deep in Thought

This was a very emotional and heartwarming sight. It made my mind wander. Here I am wishing for a larger home for my family to have more space and some people don’t even have one. I am hoping for a delicious meal for dinner and some people are hoping to just eat. I am worried if my car will last a few more years and others are worried about how they will even get from Point A to Point B.

I am still in tears as I write this. Somewhere, someone is just trying to survive. It’s been a few days and I can’t seem to shake this image from my mind. Sometimes the things that we witness are very eye-opening and hard to forget.

Lean on Me

Life is hard and it has many challenges along the way. We will have many experiences, detours, and roadblocks ahead of us. I suppose one of the most interesting things about life is that no one knows what is in store for us. One thing is for sure, it will be a mix of bliss and trials.

Many of us have someone that we can rely on in times of need, many people do not have anyone at all. This world is difficult enough to navigate, it’s even harder if we do it alone.

My Past

Growing up, I was a very outgoing and goofy little girl. I would do anything to make people laugh and I just loved to be in the company of others. This somehow changed drastically as I got older.

That outgoing fun-loving little girl became a very self-conscious and shy teenager. Once I experienced this shift, I internalized everything and no longer was open with my feelings. I had such bad social anxiety that I didn’t know what to say to anyone, or how to act around others. I experienced some very hard times, and I didn’t let anyone in on it.

Dear Diary

I took to diary entries and journaling to try to make sense of my emotions and what I was going through. It felt great to write it all down, but it also still felt like I was missing something.

I remember watching some of my favorite reality shows and just studying their behavior and ways of communicating. I was in awe of how they could be so real, vulnerable, and open. I aspired to be that, but I was far from it.

Fast-forward to today and I still struggle with being 100% authentic, I still struggle with sharing my emotions because I am afraid of rejection and that people won’t care what I have to say. I am afraid of people not responding, or that they will view me differently.

Slowly by slowly I am coming out of my shell and transitioning back to the carefree and bubbly child that I was. I am not there yet and may never be, but I am taking baby steps to move my life in the right direction.

People Come and Go

I have had my fair share of fair-weather friends, relationships with significant others that went south, and sadly many people who have left my life due to passing away. All of this loss truly takes a toll on me and makes me retreat even more.

It’s very challenging to be open and vulnerable with others just because of the mere fact that they one day may not be there. I have to remind myself of the benefits. We can’t know how a relationship will progress if intimacy is never obtained between two people.

A Burden Shared

One of life’s greatest joys is the ability to help others. There is nothing like seeing happy tears or a smile on someone’s face because you made a difference in their life. We know how empowering it is and what a great mood booster it is to be able to help someone and make a difference in this world no matter how small. What if we chose to not let anyone help us? This great feeling would never be able to be felt.

Connection and bonding are very important and essential to human life. We need each other. Some people may need a human connection less than others, but to some degree, needing others is necessary for our lives and for our well-being. Most of us get great joy from helping others and they want to be able to experience this lovely feeling as well when they get the chance to help us.

Other people can help us carry our burdens so that we don’t feel so alone and we can lessen the weight of the struggles that we face. Helping someone is mutually beneficial. The receiver feels loved and cared for and the giver has the great satisfaction of knowing that they made a difference in someone’s life.

Life’s Winding Path

One thing is for sure and that is that life will take us in many different directions. It can help take the stress off a bit when we know that we have people in our corner that are here for us. The love and compassion that you give to others deserve to come back to you. People need each other, it’s a two-way street.

You can lean on me, my writer friends. I am here for you and in your corner.