WEEKEND WONDER

The Simple Trick to Check on Someone Without Making It Awkward

I used to be terrible at this. Like, embarrassingly bad. I'd see a friend posting cryptic Instagram stories or notice someone getting quieter in our group chats, and I'd either panic-text them with some dramatic "ARE YOU OKAY??" message or... do absolutely nothing because I was terrified of making it weird.

Both approaches sucked, obviously.

The truth is, most of us want to be there for people we care about, but we've somehow convinced ourselves that checking in requires this whole production. Like we need to transform into some kind of mental health superhero with the perfect words and timing. Spoiler alert: we don't.READ MORE

NOW WHAT HAPPENED BRO?

 

For the last few weeks, I have had some topsy turvy bullshit going on. Nothing I can't handle but it has been exhausting nevertheless. When life gets like that, we owe it to ourselves to handle it the best way we can. For me, it meant focusing on some other things and putting chronicles on hold. READ MORE

AND NOW

Struggling with Dark Thoughts? Here's What Mental Health Experts Don't Tell You

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this shit. If you clicked on this post, there's probably a reason. Maybe you're lying in bed at 3 AM with your brain doing that thing where it won't shut the fuck up. Maybe you're scrolling through your phone looking for someone, anyone, to tell you that what's happening in your head isn't as scary as it feels.

I've been there. We've all been there, even if we don't talk about it.

Here's what I wish someone had told me when I was drowning in my own thoughts: the mental health advice you get from most articles and even some therapists? It's not wrong, but it's incomplete. They give you the textbook answers without acknowledging how messy and complicated this whole thing actually is.

So let's talk about the stuff they don't tell you.

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AND NOW

7 Warning Signs Your Friend Needs You (And How to Actually Help)

I've been thinking a lot lately about how we show up for each other. Like, really show up. Not just the surface-level "how are you?" texts, but the deeper stuff. The messy, uncomfortable conversations that might actually save someone's life.

Last month, I almost missed the signs with someone close to me. It's such a shitty feeling when you realize later that all the pieces were there, scattered around like breadcrumbs, and you just... didn't connect them. Or maybe you did notice something felt off, but you talked yourself out of reaching out because you didn't want to be dramatic or intrusive.

Here's the thing though, we're living in this weird time where everyone's struggling but we're all pretending we're fine. Social media highlights, fake smiles, the whole "I'm busy" culture that keeps us from actually checking in on each other. Meanwhile, people are drowning in plain sight.

So let's talk about the real signs. The ones that matter. Because recognizing them isn't just about being a good friend, sometimes it's literally about life and death.

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EPISODE CXXVIII: GETTING OFF THAT EDGE

 The world is crazy, and we are becoming crazier.  So how do we stop?  How do we find a way to co exist peacefully?  How can we live consciously?  What are the answers? I explore those here and become a little raw and honest myself about my own issues with dealing with people.

MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE

LIVING IN THE EDGE - Aerosmith
WALKING WOUNDED - Frayle
NERVOUS BREAKDOWN - Black Flag
A THERAPY OF PAIN - Fear Factory
SIDEWAYS - Illenium

EPISODE CXXVII: MY PLAN FOR SUPER ANXIETY

 

We all have things that bring us large amounts of fear and anxiety.  I wanted to take a moment to talk about one of mine, a big one, hence the term "super anxiety."  Flying.  I really get wigged out when the plane takes off.  So I built a playlist to help me cope and it works.  Maybe a playlist will help you.  Perhaps this can inspire you to find something to get you through and eventually thrive through it which has been happening to me over the years of air travel. 

SONGS FROM THIS EPISODE

MANY RIVERS TO CROSS - CDM
CON TI PATIRO - Andrea Bocelli
LOVE THAT NEVER - Tokimonsta
HOEDOWN - Zomboy
BREAKING THE HABBIT - Linkin Park
CANDYLAND - Tobu
RETURN TO INNOCENCE - Enigma

EPISODE CXXVI: A DIFFERENT THANKSGIVING

 I took this picture when I was at Epcot last.  My family and I used to go there every Thanksgiving when the kids were younger.  I would love to get those days back, but I am grateful for them.  I think we can find anything to be grateful for if we look and I redid this episode which was a very obnoxious anti Thanksgiving episode, but I challenged myself to do something different.  I put my heart out to those who don't like Thanksgiving for whatever reason and want to let them know I see them, as well as try to find things to be grateful for together.

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE

MEAT - Poppy
EVERYTHING DIES - Type O Negative
THANK YOU - Led Zepplin
GRATEFUL - St Finnikin