I am taking what may be a permanent break from the podcast.

I struggle with depression, and I am currently in a depressive episode. Instead of hiding this, I wanted to be vulnerable, to talk about depression, and share five strategies that I am using to help me get through it. Trigger warning: discussion of suicide and suicidal thoughts. If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts please call or text 988 to speak to someone with the suicide prevention hotline. You are not alone.

2023 has been a year of constant change, I have not had a normal day since January. When my life feels like too much is going on I can get very overwhelmed, and I begin looking for ways to ground myself. To do that I have been going over my journals, and re-exploring ideas that brought me to where I am and that will help me find my way going forward. One of those is the concept of Ikigai. Ikigai is a Japanese term that has gained popularity in recent years for its powerful insights into finding purpose and living a fulfilling life. Since I am reviewing it for myself, I thought I would share my notes with you.

Light is a wonderful part of our world, but for some it is also a source of pain and discomfort. Today I am sharing what I’ve learned from researching how light affects me as an autistic adult with an autoimmune disease. My sources are: Decreasing exposure to ultraviolet light, Lupus.org, https://www.lupus.org/resources/decreasing-uv-exposure-from-fluorescent-lights UV exposure: What you need to know, lupus.org, https://www.lupus.org/resources/uv-exposure-what-you-need-to-know Ludlum, Kerry, Lupus Photosensitivity and UV Light, WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/lupus/lupus-photosensitivity-uv Digre, Kathleen B., MD, What is Photophobia and Can It Be Treated? https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/what-is-photophobia/#:~:text=Photophobia%2C%20or%20extreme%20light%20sensitivity,daily%2C%20disabling%20sensitivity%20to%20light. Tips for Managing Sensitivity to Light, lupus.org https://www.lupus.org/resources/tips-for-managing-sensitivity-to-light

Time is a funny thing, something that many struggle with, some more than others. Today I am sharing what I learned about Dyschronometria, and how I manage time in my own life as a person with a career, family, and multiple creative pursuits. Here are some of the sources I used while researching this topic: NPR, All Things Considered: “A Woman With Dyschronometria Shares Her Experience Of Losing Track Of Time”, May 18, 2020, https://www.npr.org/2020/05/18/858236566/a-woman-with-dyschronometria-shares-her-experience-of-losing-track-of-time Weissenberger S, Schonova K, Büttiker P, Fazio R, Vnukova M, Stefano GB, Ptacek R. Time Perception is a Focal Symptom of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults. Med Sci Monit. 2021 Jul 17;27:e933766. doi: 10.12659/MSM.933766. PMID: 34272353; PMCID: PMC8293837. Maynard, S. (2022, July 1). "we don't see time; we feel it". ADDitude. Retrieved April 5, 2023, from https://www.additudemag.com/does-anyone-know-what-time-it-is/

Last week I didn’t post an episode because I was dealing with a busy work week, and I was dealing with a lupus flare. Today I’m reflecting on last week and how I can apply the concept of situational awareness to my physical and mental health.

I am beginning to realize that when I hide my goals, hobbies and who I am, I risk missing opportunities to do new things and find new ways to connect with people. My fear of rejection leads to a lack of connection.

Today I’m rambling a bit as I process ideas around my desire to help others like me.

Today I’m reading some more poems from my new (first) book of poetry Words From My Brain vol. 2. Please grab yourself a cup of tea, coffee or whatever you prefer.

Today I’m reading some poems to you from my new (first) book of poetry Words From My Brain, vol. 1. Please grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea (or whatever beverage you prefer) and enjoy a bit of poetry.