Draft 1.2.4.234.123.5.243.6 revision 23D

Ugh. The old blog. I supposed I've got to do one of these things. I don't regret starting the blog back up to go back and forth with my brother from the same mother, Pilot, but some days my brain just really isn't up for it. I've been working on a backlog for days I'm busy or don't want to blog but they are currently all in the draft stage and not ready. Just topics really.

Haven't been having an exceptionally good brain week if I'm to be honest. Nothing bad happened or anything but some weeks, you just gotta feel down. I should probably get back into meditation and stuff like that. It always helps.

I always struggle with talking about my brain health for multiple reason. It's not so much the current stigma, though that doesn't help, but I'm naturally a private person that doesn't talk about that stuff much. Not to mention the fact that I never want to make it seem like I have it hard. I've gone to a therapist, take drugs, do exercises when needed but in no way am I someone that I would say HAS to have that stuff right here and now. It's helpful, but I don't have bipolar disorder or life threatening depression. But, I guess that also a good way to look at it. I don't have that BECAUSE I am taking care of it now.

Obviously there are many people that need help more and even getting it early won't fix everything. But, our world would be a much better place if a lot of people (*cough cough men cough cough*) just manned up and talked.

But this is all a big aside from where this post was going when I started. I have found a few things I like to do that help me shut off (most of the time) and get my mind going strong again. Many are twists on what a therapist suggested.

1. Meditation - It's not what I always thought it was before I started. Your mind will wander and you won't be good at it but that's OK. It's just a time to relax and notice that your mind is wandering. I don't do this nearly enough when I am feeling good and I really should.

2. Put Work Aside - My therapist indicated I need to take my key card for work and put it away and physically say "I am done for the day" to make sure I am not worrying about work anymore. I find this difficult as I forget to put my card away all the time but I found another thing that work. Daniella and I have been carpooling so on my way to pick her up after work I try and think of two long words that go together to send to her to let her know I've arrived. For example: Passionate Intoxification, Cooperative Hootenanny, etc. This just makes my brain focus on something that isn't work and a little silly.

3. Just Deal With It - It's been a discussion in our house for sometime. I always cook during the week and on the weekend I cook for everyone unless we are fend for yourselves. It also happens that when I start to cook the dishes are piled up so I have to do the dishes from last night because the ladies don't feel like doing them. I've stopped worry about it and just getting the work done. Doing the dishes takes me ten additional minutes and it means I don't stress about it anymore. There are a lot of things like this that if it's ten to twenty minutes to do, I just do it and don't complain. I know that should go both ways but I can't control other people. It's hard to keep thinking this way when I'm approached with "Why are you doing dishes? It's my job!" Oh yeah......the one you haven't done for four weeks? Fuck off!

4. Play Video Games - Video games are my calming activity. I've tried to shrink down how much I play in the past but if I am getting all my responsibilities done then I should be allowed to relax for a few hours each night and play guilt free.

5. Stop Playing Video Games and Do Something - I know, this is opposite of the last one. I do have to make sure I am not playing too much and doing other fun stuff in my life too. Putz around in the garage, work on my D&D campaign, paint some mini's, etc. Sure sitting on the couch with my controller is fun, but bed sores hurt and moving is healthy for body AND mind.

Keeping up with brain health is tough as it's complicated and the mind is always changing. I honestly don't think I needed much when I was in my early twenties but as I've gotten older with more responsibility and stress my need for mind upkeep has increased. At this rate, by the time I am 99 I will be as crazy as.....YOU!