Mental Awareness Month-Yikes
- Valerie Anne Burns
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
I'm not altogether sure I've been aware that May involves a whole lot more than Spring, Mother's Day, May Madness, and New Beginnings! My mental health has gotten in the way of productivity and clear thinking. As it pertains to my monthly blog, I'm late but still willing. The term "Better Late Than Never" applies here. I have been foggy brained, forgetful, sad, overwhelmed, grateful, and in awe of nature all in the same moment. We empaths and Democracy loving beings are struggling to find our way in a cyclone of insanity.
There is an epidemic of loneliness and isolation in this country and our current situation doesn't help with this phenomenon in our cyber society. I check all the boxes being completely on my own without family and a partner. Recently, I broke down from a combination of personal setbacks, an impending surgery for two biopsies and a D&C, a personal situation that is jarring where the hurt paralyzed me, so I retreated. People have become more isolated. Research show that one in two adults are experiencing loneliness. Living in a severely divided country is a contributor. The internet has blocked more in-person socializing and eye contact for the human population. I'm enclosing an article from Harvard. There are many others on this loneliness epidemic.
I've talked to people from all walks of life and a variety of ages who are also experiencing similar feelings of sadness, anxiety, forgetfulness, and foggy brained. The administration of corruption, chaos, and cruelty intentionally instills fear and distraction. When people (including friends) say they don't want to talk politics, I have the same reply: This is no longer a matter of politics, it's about morals and ethics. It's not right vs left but right OR wrong. It's a mental and emotional stressor.
Like many, I'm in a vulnerable place living on SSI and have both Medicare and Medical. This evolved from six years on a journey with breast cancer and complications. I am SO thankful for all these government programs just as 70 million-plus others are. When citizens think the convicted felon, fraud, and rapist, as well as deeply failed business man is going to care about them and
save this country with tariffs, will be deeply disappointed. He's literally taking health care and food from poor and starving children, cuts to the most crucial programs, job loss, and all the cuts to education, the arts, and science, banning books, shutting down real news, and whitewashing/re-writing history is attributed to Project 2025, the far-right white nationalist so-called Christian manifesto. The head of it is in the White House. Full-blown Authoritarianism! trump will increase the deficit by trillions and all the money from federal funding cuts and tax cuts for the billionaires (and in his so-called big, beautiful bill hurting the poorest) will go into the pockets of the Oligarchs who will then gain more power and wealth that will influence our elections and more. Please seek factual evidence rather than dis/mis information. Everyday lies and conspiracies are shared even though debunked. Why? Because it works and trump is a master at the repetitive lie to brainwash the masses. For our own mental health, turn to the late night show hosts for amusement and distraction. They're not only funny, but smart. Love Colbert.
Speaking of isolation, the orange guy is isolating the country from our allies and bringing dictators closer as long as they flatter him and offer a money making deal to benefit him, his family, co-corrupter and narcissist, Musk. We the people are in a cyclone of conspiracies, lies, illegal acts. Breaking the laws of the constitution so blatant it takes my breath away. trump has been making deals and bribes with murderous Dictators (incl Putin) and Terrorists during his Terrorist Tour in the Middle East (whom you can't trust as far as you can throw them) while others here and worldwide suffer, starve, and will die from world aid cut providing food that rotted in warehouses and emergency medical to prevent aids and other diseases. This daily disgust is making people feel cut off and depressed. Me included. What can we do to survive the madness? Here are a few links and a few tips:
Mental Health helpful links:
I've contemplated how I could even write a blog this month considering my state of mind and how I sobbed for two hours this past weekend. Additionally, I have PTSD as a cancer survivor and trauma survivor in general since a baby. Most survivors I've spoken to experience lasting trauma. I strive to continue my healing journey but it is hard with the daily horror and damage. I can tell you that I will always keep my promise of raw truth and committed to my authenticity in my writing. Artists are needed more than ever!.
It's beneficial for me to be on my patio caring for plants, maintenance, and hanging with the hummingbirds. Lucia loves our time outside. She lays in the sun, looks for skittering lizards and observes my manual labor labor. I'm a lifelong beauty seeker and planting myself in nature however I can, grounds me. I highly recommend it if you need a break from the chaos.
Deep breathing combined with nature is beneficial. Reaching out and connecting with a friend
(admittedly, I have to make an effort with this) and snuggling your animal if you have one benefits a human as strong research and studies show. Lucia has no boundaries and snuggles deeply,
purring straight into my heart. I keep my power walks going by the sea and a Qigong/yoga practice, as well as a strengthening practice while watching a movie. I eat healthy but have definitely been eating more dark chocolate!
May is close to an end. It's a good time for vision boarding, journaling what a new beginning would look like for you, and seeking professional help as you need it. After a long delay, I sought help from psychiatric care for a diagnosis of severe depression and anxiety, which was a perfect storm of factors.
I wish you well surrounded by love, a calm spirit, abundance, peace, and happy dreams.
Keep on swimming through life my friends & fellow-survivors,
Valerie Anne
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