my mental health passport...and how I cope with it while travelling.
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it can be a big scary world out there...
but why should that stop you?
Growing up, I was the shy, bullied girl from grade one right up to graduating high school. Once in college, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, something that runs in my family, but we all obviously hide well enough to others, including each other.
I look back now and realize anxiety had been there before I was officially diagnosed. Was I actually shy or just petrified to be different? The thought of standing out scared me because I knew I was already an easy target. Why wear tight jeans when everyone else is wearing baggy ones with holes in them? Did I like my style? For most of my high school life, no. I followed the crowd in hopes I could camouflage myself. Sometimes it worked, other times it backfired.
It took many years for me to break away from the habit of trying to be anyone else, but myself. Breaking away from the cliques in school and bad ex-boyfriends who only knocked the little confidence you had built off my shoulders were big, scary steps. Don't get me wrong, I put myself in places and situations which only damaged my mental health, there wasn't always someone who kicked me while I was down.
I am a master at self-sabotage.
Queen of procrastination.
A pro at putting others first.
Queen of procrastination.
A pro at putting others first.
But thankfully, with an overly amazing husband, loving family, trustworthy friends, a determined family doctor, and fantastic therapist, I've done things and gone places I never thought I'd be able to do.
This website I've created came from our first trip to Japan, a place that for the first time, I had zero anxiety. It was a bit worrisome, waking up without that weight on my chest, nearly having anxiety over not having anxiety. My husband saw a change in me as well and encouraged me to get this idea up and running.
I hope wherever you are in your mental health or travel journey that you find something that will help you. Discovering what works for you will only help you discover ways to love travelling. There is so much to see and learn, so I truly hope you find tips and tricks to get that suitcase packed and passport in hand.
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about me
When I'm not writing historical fiction, reading, or sewing, my husband and I are planning our next adventure, whether it'll leave a stamp in our passport or not.
I've been living with anxiety, depression, and bi-polar-1 since I was a teenager and leaving my bubble or dropping myself into strange places with a lot of unknowns can really affect my mental health. Thanks to my wonderful husband and my OCD/ADHD/creativity, I've found ways to avoid shocks or prepare myself to the best that I can. It's not easy some days, so I hope when you find my site it'll help you have the best trip and experience you can have.
I'm a vintage-lover, history buff and Doxie-mom to two miniature (one more chunky than mini) dachshunds who lives in the beautiful Eastern Townships in Quebec, Canada.
Visit my author website if you're looking for your next read www.meghanredmile.com
I've been living with anxiety, depression, and bi-polar-1 since I was a teenager and leaving my bubble or dropping myself into strange places with a lot of unknowns can really affect my mental health. Thanks to my wonderful husband and my OCD/ADHD/creativity, I've found ways to avoid shocks or prepare myself to the best that I can. It's not easy some days, so I hope when you find my site it'll help you have the best trip and experience you can have.
I'm a vintage-lover, history buff and Doxie-mom to two miniature (one more chunky than mini) dachshunds who lives in the beautiful Eastern Townships in Quebec, Canada.
Visit my author website if you're looking for your next read www.meghanredmile.com
