100

Today is my 100th blog post.  It is coming up on two years of this blog and it feels like yesterday that I started writing it.   It has helped me tremendously as it serves as a good reminder that I can push through anything.  I can look back at old posts and see that although life may have seemed bleak at times,  I found a way to persevere.  I hope if you have come across this somehow,  that it has helped you see some of what it may be like to live with a mental disorder.

I cried today for the first time in over a month.  The reason is of no relevance here and I feel fortunate to have made it so long without struggling too much in my mind.  Today just reminded me that my disorder is ever-present and I must continue to build on the success of the last few years.  I am going to have my moments at times but,  the positive thoughts seem to be outweighing the negative ones of late.

I have not taken a mental health day in two years and I am very proud of this.  I have had days off for other things but,  I have not been at a point where my mind was so distressed that I needed to ask for a day.  I have done my best to face challenges and push through bouts of depression when they presented themselves.

The thing I need to remind myself is that I always have a loving wife and amazing dog to come home to.  The most important things are family, friends and love.  I have all three in my life and it helps me stay balanced.  Some that struggle with mental health do not have those aspects in their lives and I feel grateful to have the supports I do.

This week is the last week for Paul at work.  Paul has truly amazed me this year.  He has come so far in such a short amount of time.  I was not sure when he first started but,  he has exceeded my expectations.  He has listened, learned and worked hard to do the best job he could.  I am going to miss working with him as he is such an easy guy to get along with.  I hope we cross paths in the future and perhaps we will get together for some wings in the winter.

Well that is it for post 100.  Hope this finds you in good spirits.  Take care,  Shawn.

 “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson