Author: Elizabeth Banks
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How I Create Normalcy During Isolation
I’m a housewife, farmer, and blogger who is living with bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. For me becoming socially isolated is commonplace. Mental illness often causes me to isolate for days, weeks, or even months. I guess you could say I’m a time-tested expert when it comes to coping…
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So You Think OCD Jokes Are Funny
People have been making a lot of “hand washing OCD” jokes lately. I see them on Facebook, I see them on Twitter, I see you sharing them. I want to tell you something. I actually have OCD. Yes, me. I’m living with obsessive compulsive disorder. And I sincerely wish you…
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I Write About Mental Illness Because People Tell Me I Shouldn’t
I’m living with bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. I share my experiences with mental illness openly on my blog and social networks. In the beginning it was a nice way to spread awareness and show people like me that they are not alone. It felt necessary. Over the years…
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Are You Listening to Understand or Argue?
I want you to ask yourself some questions and sincerely consider the answers. Ask yourself: Do I listen as passionately as I argue? When someone shares their opinion do I listen to understand them or am I more concerned with arguing my point? At what point do I stop listening…
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Mental Health Crisis Lines and Communities
Every time you call out, you’re a little less alone. In this post you’ll find two lists; a list of Crisis and Help Lines and a list of Supportive Communities. You are not alone. You deserve help and support. I want to make the process easier for you. Crisis and…
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A Letter in Case You’re Having a Tough Day Too
Dear You, Life can be tough sometimes. I sincerely understand that life can be excruciatingly tough. There will be horrible days. Days filled with loss. Days coated heavily by sadness or depression. Days when self-hatred becomes strong. Days that follow sleepless nights. Tough days for whatever reason. This might be…
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Strategies for Socializing After Isolation
Mental illness can be tough. Becoming socially isolated as a result of mental illness is far too easy. Depression can cause us to push people away. Anxiety can cause us to doubt ourselves and our interactions. Agoraphobia can keep us inside our homes. Skin-picking can make us embarrassed to be…
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Winter can be tough but so are we
Christmas is closing in. I have done absolutely zero Christmas shopping and there isn’t a Christmas tree up in my house. Mental illness is tough sometimes. It’s easy to feel worthless It’s so easy to feel worthless this time of year. Sometimes it can seem like everyone has their act…
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Quieting the Mean Voice in My Head
I’ve been trying to quiet the mean voice inside my head lately. I want to tell you about it. It hasn’t been easy. You probably know this voice. It’s an unkind and relentless voice. This voice makes you think and say mean things about yourself. It has a lot to…
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Making Time For Grief
Hello everyone, Daisy, my service dog and best friend of eleven years recently passed away. I need to take some time off to grieve in my own way. It’s odd, I don’t have a customary job. I don’t work in an office. I don’t have a boss. I don’t answer…
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Support, Self-Care, and Superhero Capes
Some friends came over on Saturday night. We had planned to go out and visit various Halloween themed attractions. It’s our fall tradition and I always thoroughly enjoy it. But to be perfectly honest, my mental health wasn’t so great that night. I didn’t want to rain on everyone’s parade.…
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Couch and Coffee Thoughts: Kindness
I’m sitting on my couch drinking coffee as thoughts run through my mind. I often ponder while I drink my morning coffee. I frequently share these thoughts on social networks, but today I want to share on my blog. Like this morning, as I take a drink of coffee I…
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What I Carry for OCD
My husband took me to the cinema last night. On the way I felt a sudden pang of panic. I became worried that I might not have enough “OCD stuff” with me. I quickly opened my purse and did an inventory. These are the items I pulled from my purse;…
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What is Depression Like?
Depression is not the same for everyone. We might have shared experiences, but we are unique. No two people are exactly the same. We all have different needs. We all have different fears. We all lead different lives. Some of us are more different than others. We are all different,…
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When Guilt and Shame Follow Depression
Depression is tough, but this post isn’t about depression. This is about how guilt and shame often follow depression and how I cope with it. Depression can be exhausting and debilitating. A thick fog surrounds everything. It makes even the simplest of tasks seem insurmountable. When depression finally ends the…
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More Days With Daisy
This happens every day. It is commonplace after morning farm chores are done. I make coffee and retreat to my home office. I reply to blog comments and watch TV while the dogs relax on the couch. Daisy sits closest to me and looks out the window. Cisco plays with…