Tag: INSPIRATION

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Change is good, but not all the time

It has been a few weeks since I sat down to write and publish an article.

Countless times I have picked up my laptop and started writing but I cant seem to be happy with my work and have just sent the documents to drafts, however today I woke up early and decided to go to the gym.

When I was packing my bag, I had this brilliant idea to pack my laptop and do some of my work in the business centre at the gym as I had a free day and thought maybe I would get inspired to write again.

Well, at 6.45am I was sweating in the body pump class but it felt good to be out of bed and getting out of my comfort zone.

I showered, got myself a grande latte and set myself up in the business centre and worked until about midday then I ordered brunch, which was really a late breakfast.

After paying £11 pounds for the club breakfast, the fitness centres glorified version of a full English breakfast. I was disappointed at the food, which had a soggy portobello mushroom and a bland grilled tomato… yuck!

The poached eggs were okay though and I chugged another latte; more caffeine!

Heres to another night where I toss and turn wondering why I cant relax.

As much as I enjoy coffees, I have learnt that for me, they are a stimulant and not good for me so I am struggling between a dependency on caffeine and trying to control my emotional health.

I resumed my project and was finished around 3 o’clock when I took a break then I couldn’t help but notice that there was music playing in the business centre and it was really annoying.

Now, I am still here and I cant even say anything because I am not even sure if the music was playing earlier when I came in and I didn’t hear it, but its so  cheesy and irritating.

Seriously, I don’t think it was this bad or this loud in the morning or even there at all; but it’s such a distraction, considering I was hoping that my change of environment would help me to focus.

The main reason I am still here is that  I know that if I go home without sending this to publish it will get lost in drafts again.

So to everyone that reads my blog, this is my rant for the day.

I am packing up and going to get stuck in rush hour traffic but at least I can get to listen to what I like on the way home or not listen to anything at all.

 

Photo credit: Christina Morillo – Pexels

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Choose Life

When you feel like there is no choice

Choose life

In the midst of a storm and you feel all alone

Choose life

When you think you have reached breaking point

Choose life

When you feel like a failure

Choose life

When that break up hurts so bad, choose you

Choose life

Times can get hard, but

Choose life

When you get overwhelmed by life’s problems

Choose life

When you are plagued by unhealthy thoughts

Choose life

When you feel like you are out of solutions

Choose life

When you think that no one will listen, there is always support

Choose life

Staying silent isn’t being strong, speaking out is

Choose life

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Not lucky enough to have owned the Kate Spade handbag but I sure know what depression feels like…

Earlier today the news emerged that  designer Kate Spade had taken her own life, leaving a 13 year old daughter and husband.

A child has lost a mother, a husband has lost a wife, irrespective of their marital problems.

photo by getty images
Rest in peace Kate Spade

Suicide is a choice they say.. But is it?

People that die of suicide will not be thinking straight at their time of death, their mental illnesses cause them to reach that point.

It is evident she was not in a happy place because she would not have ended her life and left a teenage child without a mother.

No matter what she wrote on her suicide note, the reasons are never going to be explanation enough to her family and those closest to her.

There are so many questions left unasked and unanswered. There will be so many stories that will emerge, some sympathetic, some; not so much.

No one knows what she was feeling during her last days for her to end her life the way she did.

One does not simply choose to die as though they are deciding what to make for dinner… “err, actually, I think I will die now”.

There are so many factors that cause someone to sink to a certain low, feel worthless and no matter how much they try, they feel that they are better off dead.

People who are affected by mental health disorders are more likely to commit suicide. Sometimes it is known before a persons death but sometimes it is known after.

Depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are the most common mental health disorders that contribute to suicide.

When a person is  so overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and worthlessness they often think that they have no other option and start contemplating suicide.

It is hard to know how someone is feeling but there are usually tell tale signs that can indicate that they are depressed or have suicidal tendencies for instance ;

  • Avoiding social situations.
  • Feeling hopeless and helpless.
  • Exhibiting feelings of strong anger or rage.
  • Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
  • Abusing drugs or alcohol and self harming.
  • Exhibiting changes in personality.
  • Constant talk or writing about death or suicide.

It is important to watch out for theses signs and take action to enable someone to get the help that they need and possibly prevent a tragic suicide attempt or death.

The stigma surrounding mental health and suicide makes them taboo subjects to talk about. Most people that have suicidal thoughts do not want to burden anyone with their problems so they do not reach out for fear of being judged and accused of attention seeking.

Staying silent isn’t being strong, speaking out is. Let’s stop the stigma!

Rest in peace Kate Spade

 

Photos by Pexels, Getty Images

Sources :healthline.org, www.suicide.org, www.thesamaritans.org

 

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Dear family and friends, “OMG.. you have gained so much weight!” is not a greeting

Over the last few months I have gained a significant amount of weight but nothing could have prepared me for the challenges of being a big girl in a vain world.

Its bad enough shopping for clothes or squeezing myself into control pants and almost fainting from the pressure while I drive, then to bump into someone that says, ‘Gosh you have gained so much weight!’.

Me at the African Women’s Dinner 2018

How about hello, how are you?

I know I have gained weight; that cutting of my spanks reminds me of it every second that I am standing with you and dying to take it off.

Generally people are not kind to overweight people, they have been conditioned to resent people when they are overweight because there is a misconception that those people are irresponsible, they over eat and don’t look after themselves.

But weight gain is not only about eating, an imbalance in hormones can make it difficult for you to lose weight even if your are eating healthy.

Hormones control  inflammation, metabolism and uptake of glucose in the body which plays a big part in weight gain. (these will be addressed in another post)

Women tend to suffer from more stress which impacts on their well being by releasing much higher levels of stress hormones. When women suffer from depression, instead of reducing sleep and the amounts they eat, they start to eat and sleep more, increasing their carbohydrate intake which results in significant weight gain.

The more weight they put on, the more guilty they become.

They become helpless, feel like failures and turn to food for comfort which leads to more weight gain.

There are so many challenges that come with being “the big girl” or boy.

A lot of overweight people pretend to be happy about their weight when they are in public, they can be the life and soul of the party but suffer when they are on their own.

People think you eat too much and even when you are hungry, you are mindful of being watched when you eat because people do comment “ahh all that food, no wonder why you put on weight”.

Where I come from, weight gain is linked to having a good life. It is assumed that you eat well and have spare cash to help other people so no one will understand you may be having health problems.

Some people are on medications that cause them to gain weight. Certain steroids and antidepressants cause weight gain. Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction comes with weight gain.

People tend to watch what they say when they come across someone that has lost a lot of weight than one that has gained weight. It is important to be mindful of what we say to each other, big, small, tall or short.

Not all illnesses are visible, be patient and kind always.