learning to heal

I post things that help me heal, help me recenter, move me, and restore my hope in humanity and the universe. Or things I simply find cute. I hope they do the same for you. Music More

[wearmoonlight]

I belong deeply to myself.

Warsan Shire Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth (via silencednomore)

[ohsresearchlibrary]

Wildflowers with bear grass. Frank Branch Riley Collection, Box 9, #1.

[printed-ink]

“Wild Geese”, by Mary Oliver (from Dream Work)

[heyrainbows-blog]

A small part of Atlantic Ocean seen from Dún Aengus (Inishmore island, Ireland) located on a high cliff by Marek K. Misztal

[staedtlers-and-stabilos]

So this is a really good ‘basic’ self-care guide. 

[archatlas]

Fairlytale Scandinavian Green Roofs

Scandinavians are serious about their green roofs. They’ve had them for a while now and it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere. They even have a competition every year to determine the best green roof project in Scandinavia by the Scandinavian Green Roof Association! But there is a reason why Scandinavians like these green roofs so much… They are not only a beautiful feature for a house, but they also offer numerous social, environmental and financial benefits. They absorb rainwater, reduce winter heating costs, reduce summer air-conditioning costs, provide insulation, and are long lasting - just to name a few.

Images and text via

[motivation-gems]

(Connie and Steven are smiling with their faces touching as they dance) LIFE TIP: Talk to yourself like you would talk to your best friend.

Bad things happen. It’s just a fact. But when your best friend is down after a hard day and struggling with a problem, how would you talk to them? Would you show them love and encouragement? Would you tell them life wouldn’t be the same without them around, and that you love and treasure them? Well guess what. You deserve to hear that, too.

When your inner dialogue starts to get negative, talk to yourself like you’re talking to your best friend. With some practice, it’ll become second nature.

Love yourself. You deserve it.

[earthstory]

Look at all the fumaroles!

[just--space]

Abell 2218

js

[sonelion-deactivated20180317]

[onlinecounsellingcollege]

Being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure.

Bob Marley (via onlinecounsellingcollege)

[yayoroses]

[missmentelle]

How to Tell Your Friend That You Need a Break From Supporting Them

When I worked at a mental health crisis centre, I couldn’t believe how many people came to us, not because of their own problems, but because they were so lost in a friend’s pain that they couldn’t take it anymore. I saw a lot of people who were so worn down from helping someone else that they couldn’t sleep, eat, socialize or focus at work or school. They were consumed with guilt every time they put down their phones, went to sleep, or dared to enjoy themselves and have a good time. All because they had no idea how to set boundaries.  Helping your friends through a tough situation is a wonderful and noble thing to do, but it only works if you’re mentally in a place to do so. If you’re dealing with issues or mental illness of your own, you’re not always capable of being someone else’s shoulder to cry on 24/7. And that’s okay. Sometimes, you have to put yourself first. You can’t help someone else if you’re a mess yourself. You can’t save a drowning person with a sinking ship.  Telling a friend that you’re overwhelmed and you need a break is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do. Honesty is the best policy - don’t go radio silent on them, or avoid answering their messages. Be honest about how you’re feeling, and what you need from them. If you’re stuck on what to say and how to start the conversation, here are a few suggestions. Feel free to copy them exactly: It’s really hard for me to admit this, but I’ve been feeling like I’m on the verge of a breakdown lately. I love you and I care about you, but I need to take some time to take care of myself for a while.  I’m really concerned about you, but I honestly don’t know how to deal with this and I’m worried I’ll say the wrong thing. I really think that you should talk to a professional about this.  This is hard for me to admit, but I have a lot going on in my life right now, and it’s getting to be too much for me. Would it be okay if we talked about lighter stuff for the next little while?

You deserve more support than I can give you. I think you need to tell a close family member or professional about what’s going on. 

It seems like every time we talk about this, things are worse for you. I’m worried that my advice isn’t helping you at all, and I think you should talk to someone more qualified than me. 

I’m really worried for your safety, and it breaks my heart, but I can’t keep you safe all by myself. Would it be okay if we told someone else what was going on? 

I’m sorry, but I can’t answer my text messages 24 hours per day. I really want to make sure that you always have someone to turn to if I’m not available. Are there some other people you would trust with this? I can help you tell them, if you’re not comfortable doing it by yourself.  I hope these suggestions are helpful - best of luck to all of you, and make sure to put your own mental health first when you have to. 

[mazarinedrake]

Was just going to say this in the tags, but it was turning into an essay because apparently I have strong feelings about these, so I’ll just say it here:

I believe this post applies even to people who don’t or don’t think they have a mental illness. Dealing with mental illnesses and breakdowns is EXTREMELY stressful, and I’m saying that both as someone who has been mentally ill since childhood, and as someone who has tried his best to help friends and family members manage their own mental illnesses and crises. It’s the kind of stress that can break someone, even if they started from a space of perfect health (imo people with perfect mental health are basically unicorns, but that’s beside the point). That does not have to happen to you. PLEASE use the suggestions in this post if you’re feeling the strain, regardless of whether you have a diagnosed mental illness or not. Don’t break your own back trying to lift someone else up. 

[roachpatrol]

caregiver fatigue/burnout is a documented thing among even the most neurotypical, trained, educated, and paid workers. if your friends need you, you have to make sure to keep yourself stable and healthy in order to keep being there for them. 

drowning people will pull you under: they can’t help it. it’s crucial to your success, in trying to help people in trouble, to make sure you put supports and safeguards in place to effectively help them, rather than sink with them.  

[hillergoodspeed]

[onlinecounsellingcollege]

How to be your own best friend

1. Treat yourself the way you would treat a person who you loved, highly valued, and cared about.

2. Always love yourself – no matter what!

3. Only say positive, compassionate, understanding and affirming things about, and to, yourself.

4. Hold your own hand in tough and stressful times. Don’t abandon yourself, or let yourself down.

5. Respect yourself, and the efforts that you’re making to be a better person, and to change and to grow.

6. Understand your limitations, be patient with yourself. Accept that it takes time to master anything at all.

7. Be kind to yourself when you feel self-critical, or you want to be judgmental and hard on yourself.

[nayyirahwaheed-deactivated20180]

and i said to my body. softly. ‘i want to be your friend.’ it took a long breath. and replied, ‘i have been waiting my whole life for this.’

nayyirah waheed (via margaery-queerell)

[themagicfarawayttree]

blue succulents