We’re going to go back to a past blog week topic from 2014. May is Mental Health Month so now seems like a great time to explore the emotional side of living with, or caring for someone with, diabetes. What things can make dealing with diabetes an emotional issue for you and / or your loved one, and how do you cope? (Thanks again to Scott for this 2014 topic.)
*Big sigh* You know, I hate to say it, but I’m just not sure I have it in me to deal with all the emotional stuff today. The past two days have been pretty brutal and I’m barely hanging on. If I really start digging into my emotional black hole, I’m afraid I’ll get swallowed up by it. And there is a whole tag labeled Depression where I’ve written about what brings me down in the past. So instead I’m going to jump to the what helps me cope portion of the prompt and talk about What Brings Me Up.
Actually, I can sum it up in one word. SUPPORT. Both giving and receiving support is what helps keep me positive and helps get me through. And to be more specific, here are a bunch of examples:
- My work as site moderator and research assistant over at DiabetesSistersVoices.
- Leading the DiabetesSisters Virtual PODS every month.
- Not just attending the Diabetes Unconference, but more recently acting as one of the facilitators as well.
- Spending the week with the awesome group of bloggers who have signed on for #DBlogWeek. (Thank you!!!)
- And also spending it with the fantastic people who support us by reading and tweeting and commenting. (Thank you!!)
- This cat video. Seriously you have no idea how much of a boost it brings to my state of mind.
- Friends who greet me with Good Words every morning.
- Friends who text to let me know they always have my back.
- Friends who text about big wieners. (Sorry for indulging in an inside joke..)
- Not just blaming my husband for anything and everything, but doing so with a #blamePete hashtag. And having it catch on with both friends and acquaintances.
- And, saving the best for last, this little noodle cat.
When all the crap of diabetes really brings me down, I’m so lucky I have all of this to bring me back up.
You can find more What Brings Me Down posts listed here.
What is Diabetes Blog Week? Click here for an explanation and to sign up. You can also check out the Participant’s List here. And don't forget to check out the DBlogWeek Facebook page here.
I'm right there with you Karen! I've been writing the posts the last few day and reading the posts that I've started to feel a little depressed about it all! Important topics to talk about but definitely hard to read so many of them in a row. I love your list of things that brings you up! My city just started a new DiabetesSisters group so I am excited to have that back in my life again!
ReplyDeleteyes its been an intense few days... so true that it could bring one down, however I also see from everyones writing how much there is to celebrate and be grateful for! P.s What cat video? Of course now you have me curious!
ReplyDeleteoh my god! What a cat!
DeleteRight?? The best!!! (Except I really want to shoo him off the kitchen counter and wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe. LOL)
DeleteGreat post, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! <3
ReplyDeletei have posted
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is more important to focus on what brings you up. And cat videos are always a fun place to start. It really is all about support and helping others. As much as it helps you to blog, your posts help the rest of us as well. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Karen, lovely to read.
ReplyDeleteI love the cat. But mostly I really like blog week. The corner has been turned.
ReplyDeleteLove it, on what Brings You Up. Well played. And the cat video? Rockin' it, as always.
ReplyDeleteOMG.. That cat video!!! I love your list.. even the ones that are inside jokes for you make me think of the inside jokes I share with my friends.. great post!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I didn't realise that I needed this post "What brings me up?" I needed that chuckle so much. I'm also tempted to steal your # 😜 But I think with my husband he would turn it around on me. Sigh! But apply for having read your post, Karen!
ReplyDelete