“For those of us
who were imprinted with fear
like a faint line in the center of our foreheads
learning to be afraid with our mother's milk
for by this weapon
this illusion of some safety to be found
the heavy-footed hoped to silence us
For all of us
this instant and this triumph
We were never meant to survive.”
Audre Lorde, A Litany For Survival
Got out of work early. Listening to this audiobook to celebrate.
Borrowed Lady Gaga‘s latest from hoopla today.
https://youtu.be/vBynw9Isr28?si=13SIYlakpkMG8bEm
#TuesdayTunes
#hoopla
#MentalHealthMonday announcement
I‘ve had some things come up that require my focus (nothing dire, just stuff that needs attention) so today will be my last mental health Monday post. I apologize for the abrupt update & for any inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding, and thank you to everyone who‘s participated in Mental Health Monday - I appreciate you all & have enjoyed our discussions!
DebinHawaii, melissajayne, TheBookHippie, Kshakal, Susanita, Deblovestoread, CatLass007, CBee, dabbe, IriDas
#MentalHealthMonday
I experienced emotional abuse as a child. When I tried to defend myself, I was told to shut up & be grateful. For years, I thought gratitude = toxic positivity & manipulation. Today, I know genuine gratitude is good for my mental health. I like to think about boring things I‘m grateful for - toilet plungers, toenail clippers, the lint filter in my dryer, etc. They‘re not pretty, but they make life better. ⬇️
“Financial progress with ADHD isn‘t about never messing up. It‘s about always knowing how to reset and keep going.“
I got this free ebook when I signed up for the Shameless Money Blog newsletter. Money management terrified me for decades. Generational poverty, financial trauma, and shame caused so much anxiety I would panic & shut down just thinking about my finances. I‘m working to change my relationship with money by educating myself with books like this. It‘s been an interesting learning experience so far! ⬇️
I am learning so much from this book, & not just about money! Paco de Leon introduced me to the concept of the window of tolerance. I‘ll include a link that describes it better than I can. It‘s made me think about emotional regulation and how it can be difficult to handle some situations if we have a small window of tolerance.
https://ocpsychotherapycentre.com/window-of-tolerance/
“There is no bravery without fear. Remember that.”
Excerpt from: "100 Ways To Let Go And Move On With Life After Narcissistic Abuse" by Empathic Warrior. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Read this book on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/508704818
Current early morning reading from Everand.
Happy 16th birthday, beautiful Boots!
I‘m loving Keri Noble‘s new album.
Track 1: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnEn9iSWUuo&si=7l3qjT-csylu5VAC
#TuesdayTunes
I have a busy day tomorrow, so I‘m posting the #MentalHealthMonday prompt a day early. Feel free to respond whenever - mental health is important every day, not just Monday!
My favorite ways to relax and unwind - go for walks, listen to music, snuggle with my cats, spending time in the garden, reading, writing, etc.
“There‘s no way around the certainty of shit storms. No part of your life is immune to things going sideways—not your love life, work life, or family life. Being resilient is taking what comes and having a damn good umbrella by the door”
Excerpt from: "The Little Vanilla Book: S&M Wisdom to Improve Your Everyday Life" by Lux Alani.
Read this book on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/279589285
Current mood. I grew up watching PBS, and my parent worked for my state‘s Public Broadcasting Network for many years. I am heartbroken and furious about the funding cuts to NPR and PBS. 😭😡
For this #MentalHealthMonday
1) Share a photo that brings you joy.
2) Share anything that‘s on your mind. Need to vent? Go for it!
My blooming hollyhocks bring me joy. As for what‘s on my mind, I‘ve realized that letting go of perfectionism is an act of rebellion in a world that expects women to be perfect.
Hope everyone is hanging in there 💜
“Books are humanity on the page”
Excerpt from: "The Little Vanilla Book: S&M Wisdom to Improve Your Everyday Life" by Lux Alani. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Read this book on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/279589285
Purplicious Summer Pudding done! I‘m not sure if this is what it‘s supposed to look like, but it tastes good so I am happy!
#Cookbooks
Lorelei is supervising in the kitchen today. We‘re making Purplicious Summer Pudding from Jessie Sheehan‘s book Snackable Bakes.
#CatsOfLitsy #Cookbooks
Today‘s #MentalHealthMonday question is inspired by Paco de Leon‘s concept of the circle of control. When Paco has a moment of powerlessness, she focuses on what she can control. I‘ve adopted this approach when I feel powerless. It doesn‘t fix things I feel powerless about, but it helps me process them without falling into a pit of despair.
#TuesdayTunes
I‘ve been obsessed with this Queen song, which I discovered last week. Brian May sounds amazing on lead locals.
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkdi-vkMGz4&si=ZBqMP1uXbHTKzUz8
#MentalHeathMonday
Hard to believe it‘s the end of June! It‘s been a good month on a personal level. I‘ve had moments of joy, I‘ve read great books, and I‘ve stayed emotionally regulated despite the terrible things in the world. I‘m heartbroken and angry about all that‘s happening - but overall, I‘m doing better than I thought I might be six months into 2025.
How was your June?
Listened to some of this audiobook while I mowed the lawn today. I don‘t really like the writing, but the story is still entertaining. Kind of like a made for TV movie. I‘m 45% through, will see how the rest goes!
#MentalHealthMonday
I‘m coping by staying hydrated, watching YouTube videos by licensed mental health professionals, writing, and spending time outside later. And will probably do some reading too! Oh, and being less hard on myself. Hence this book!
Anyone want to be added to my #MentalHealthMonday tagged list? Let me know!
It is my 11th anniversary today. Hubby & I are watching this wonderful film with our sweet kitty napping beside us. I wouldn‘t have it any other way 💜
#TuesdayTunes a day late.
Love this song about being the family scapegoat & ending generational trauma.
“Please
Handle with ease
Ironing out a 50 year old crease
This shit is not a disease I am free
Healing what's broken 'fore I'm deceased
Fertilize new branches in this family tree”
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=QWwV5VovVME&si=fgb2HidL_8rIFXIp
I learned about this book thanks to Madisyn Brown‘s YouTube video on being the family scapegoat. I‘m surprised I‘ve never heard of the book before. I‘m including the link to the video for those who are interested.
https://youtu.be/3_u-Njg1zYA?si=ieFvWqDLPVnOUq27
A romantic comedy about a singer/actress who discovers she has a baby thanks to a mixup at fertility clinic. I‘m not usually a fan of the secret baby trope, but I‘m intrigued by this story. I‘m listening to the audiobook and it‘s been entertaining so far!
A beautiful story with beautiful illustrations.
My French is limited, but I want to read this book. The illustrations look beautiful!
Wanted to share another song for #TuesdayTunes.
“When they bury our dreams
We push 'em up through concrete
We're growing where they can't see
Thеse roots run deep 'cause
We arе seeds
When we rise up
No weapon can stop us
No wall can block us
No hate can't stop love
We are seeds”
- Rissi Palmer, “Seeds”
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=eLnPQTXr2Ns&si=hN0vv7KeaQz3HctL
A song for Pride Month. 🏳️🌈
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=v9PMYfrQRMw&si=ZWLOVYNj0nnS6r88
#TuesdayTunes
#MentalHealthMonday
My metaphorical heart is heavy today. I‘m thinking of the people of LA.
Thanks @CatLass007 for inspiring today‘s question. Another inspiration is this song by the band Nightwish. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/yYtkPpFYzOo?si=Dq-zwTRzBJNE8s_I
“I am growing
Learning
Healing
Renewing”
Excerpt from: "Limerence, Love Bombs & Loneliness" by Caelynn Harper. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Read this book on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/634112120
Someday travel
“I don‘t need unwarranted advice. I don‘t need other people‘s ego to tell me what to do with my own life and body. Nor do I want it. The funny thing is, the people who offer that advice are always the ones who don‘t want it either.”
Excerpt from: "Limerence, Love Bombs & Loneliness" by Caelynn Harper. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Read this book on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/634112120
#MentalHealthMonday
My apologies for asking the same questions two weeks in a row. They‘re the only ones that came to mind.
1. Mixed feelings as usual. Sad & angry about the state of the country. Happy it‘s a good day for gardening. Happy my husband has the day off & we‘re spending it together.
2. I‘m focusing on what I can control.
My favorite Peter David novel. May his memory be a blessing.
Won a free copy of this book from StoryGraph. I am looking forward to reading it.
#MentalHealthMonday check in
1. TBH, I‘m not sure. Feeling many things, really. Tired & disappointed I didn‘t sleep well. Sad & frustrated by the world. Excited about gardening & picking up books at the library today.
2. I plan to do things that bring me joy. Listening to music. Doing some yard work. Listening to audiobooks. Taking long walks. Enjoying the sunshine.
“Don‘t let people tell you how to process your emotions, cry that shit out. Go to a rage room. Talk to a therapist. Journal.
You‘re allowed to feel things, even when what you feel ‘seems too much‘”
Excerpt from: "Limerence, Love Bombs & Loneliness" by Caelynn Harper. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Read this book on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/634112120
Good news for Boots! She let the vet drawn her blood this time & her labs came back looking good. Her chronic kidney disease hadn‘t gotten significantly worse (some of her numbers have improved!) We still need to get her urine tested, but overall she is doing well. Can‘t believe she‘ll be 16 in July!
#CatsOfLitsy
“No one heals overnight.”
Excerpt from: "Limerence, Love Bombs & Loneliness" by Caelynn Harper. Scribd.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Read this book on Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/634112120
At the vet with Boots again today. Fingers crossed she does well with having blood drawn. I get it, kitty, labs are no fun!
#CatsOfLitsy
A deep cut from my childhood. Any Heart fans here?
#TuesdayTunes
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=J94yz4Jgq44&si=0v9z2uQsQ9yZyR9_
#MentalHealthMonday check in
How‘s everyone doing today? I‘m feeling a bit blah at the moment & decided to share this picture of a tulip in my yard. I find time spending time in nature helps with my mental health. How about you? Do you enjoy spending time in nature/outdoors?
![[tagged book]](https://image.librarything.com/pics/litsy_webpics/icon_taggedBook@3x.png){kind=icon}
