I had a rough week. Braces + Oral Surgery + Autism = A rough one. My mental health took a serious dip last week and I’m also proud of how I made efforts to support my mind, emotions, body and soul. Today is World Mental Health Day, so in the spirit of it all…
Here’s a list of good stuff that’s helped my mood:
Getting Dressed!
I realized that I’ve been mega disconnected from my body since getting braces. Like, really bad. So I challenged myself as of Friday to get fucking DRESSED everyday. Like, not just the jeans, t-shirt, sweatshirt, Birkenstocks and a beanie combo I’ve been wearing since the pandemic started. An actual outfit. Here’s my first try. I was in a bad/sad mood, but made myself take photos as evidence of effort and, WOAH, seeing my own bad attitude made me want to challenge it. When a selfie becomes a a helpful tool in your mental health and self-awareness…Ok, these sad eyes. I see you, myself. Seeing this photo made me make some positive changes this past week in my self care routine.
One attempt at a smirk, and one bratty attitude photo. Ya know, we’re goin’ through a range of emotions this week. Oral surgery is no joke. But I feel goddamn proud of getting dressed.
Making Art!
Here’s a sneak peek at one of the cards I’m creating/designing/collaging for the tarot deck my creative partner Callie and I are planning to release in 2024. It’s a long way away, but have you ever created 78 pieces of art real quick? Yea, me neither. I’m very grateful for the burst of inspiration that visited me last week and it’s still going this week. These are rough drafts, nothing final yet. But HOORAY for some direction. :)
Making Lists + Speaking to Myself with Acceptance
I mean, I made a career out of making lists. Duh. Of course they are helpful for my mental health. And also, I have this ridiculous self consciousness about just how much lists help me daily. I worry about people calling me uptight or rigid because of how much routines help me self regulate. I call myself dorky in a shaming way and then rebel against the routines I know are good for me, all because of fear. I am envious of people who can keep long lists in their head without having to put it to paper. When I make my lists or use a paper planner, I hear echos of the cruel things people would call me when I was an undiagnosed autistic child. I was bullied quite a bit as a kid, a teenager, even in college to the point that I started taking night classes to avoid my bullies during the day. Bullying that was attached to my list making habits sounded like “You’re too uptight, too rigid, bla bla bla.” I can sometimes still feel that pang of othering. And also, I realize that I was a responsible kid who knew her boundaries, recognized her needs, felt how fragile her mental health was and was committed to caring for herself, even if it felt embarrassing. Hell yea lil bb Moo.
Because I lived 33 years of my life thinking I was just “different” in an awkward, weird, too introverted, anxious, way without the overarching explanation of Autism, I still have a hard time remembering that, if you are Autistic, those are actually normal traits for people like you. Being awkward and weird is ok, its typical in my atypical community. But I still fear being criticized by those who are different than me. So what can I do about it? Still write the fucking lists, stick to the lists, follow through and be proud of my efforts and little daily accomplishments.
Pushing for Creative Changes that Inspire Me
So, I’ve been dreaming of updating the branding for my journal series for a long time… YEARS. The current look feels very 2010-2015. I miiiiight get the chance to overhaul the look IF the new slightly updated versions of The 52 Lists Project and 52 Lists for Happiness sell well. Their on sale date is November 1 of this year, that’s less than a month away! So if you would consider being a pal and pre-ordering a copy as a gift for your mama, your auntie, your sibling, yourself, your neighbor, or whomever could use a lil mental health support, I’d so appreciate it! It would mean so much to get to update the look of these resources for self care and wellbeing. Even The New Yorker is talking about how valuable lists are for your mental health!Community Engagement
Now, if I got the chance to give the 52 Lists journal series a makeover, I also want to hear/see what you would like design-wise. Leave a comment with links to your favorite planner designs, the cutest journal covers you’ve ever seen, brands that make rad paper goods, book covers you love, color palettes you see being big next year. I want to know what YOU want, baby. It would be a dream to make something fresh and new out of tools that really work. Leave a comment!
Obsessed with that High Priestess tarot draft!!
I've experienced similar with taking a picture and being like, 'woah this is the energy I am bringing right now?' Hoping next week brings a little more peace your way~
ooh also love a list! 🥰 i often consider why i keep a bujo (featuring many a list, decorated to my hearts content) when i also *need* my digital calendar (hello audhd 🌈♾🙋🏽♀️), but it gives me so much joy to sit and craft (and hoping there's something here in the process of making that solidifies / offers a chance for ideas to percolate and form into malleable forms that can become real, and of course, to do something just for pleasure). well done on being brave and taking care and thank you for modelling so gracefully 🙌🏽 👖✨🥿