Many of you know the struggle I have at times with my mental issues, and the last few weeks have been just that…a struggle.
My own fault really, I became blase and thought I had everything under control. I ignored the signs and triggers and came down with a bang, leaving a trail of destruction in my path. It hasn't been a bed of roses for anyone but I am slowly picking up the pieces and gluing them back together.
Fabulous family, fabulous friends and fabulous doctors are helping me back.
Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, and neither is talking about it. I have ADHD and rapid cycling Bi polar, which can make me very hyper active and obsessive, leading to extreme manic episodes. My inner circuit board is not the same as others, but it is also responsible for my creativity. I wouldn't have one without the other.!!
For all of you out there suffering from mental illness, or those of you suffering from the fall out, please understand you are not on your own. Lets talk about it, lets free ourselves from the stigma and lets celebrate our uniqueness and run with it. Mwah to you all xx
THE GOOD……….
Whoop whoop, some of you may have already heard but the most gorgeously wonderful Dina Wakely and I are having a weekend retreat, in Winter, in …… wait for it …….. Florida…organised by the fabulous Everything Scrapbook and Stamps.
What is it?
- Exclusive mixed-media art journaling event hosted by Everything Scrapbook and Stamps.
- Two wacky teachers (ahem, me and her!!).
- All supplies included, plus some goodies we designed just for this event.
- Wonderful retreat location.
- Classes, inspiration, food, fun...
- Visit the website to reserve your spot!
Only 8 spots left apparently…so go go GOOOOOOOOOOO. Hopefully see you there.
THE UGLY………….(well not really ugly, just not quite polished lol)
Of all the beautiful pictures of me flying around the web, lol… the lovely Dina decides to use this one of me to promote the above.!!! How rude I say How ruuuude.
You would never see me doing something like that to a good friend, would you ?
Enjoy xx
23 comments:
I'm an Aussie girl, I would love for you to come here and do a class...as for illness not illness no one is perfect.. I have a 6 year old girl with type one diabetes.. I get asked what diet was she on before she got it ... Un educated people can be horrible... My advice is stay safe stay strong and craft on xx
Thank you for a good chuckle this early in the morning (7:30 in NC). I remember those swim caps Dina is sporting...so lovely! hehe I'll see you in Fla, if not before!! I wish I could give you a real hug, but instead I'll send you good wishes and vibes since you've had a rough patch recently. :) It's wonderful you have such a good group of friends and family. And we ALL love you!! We all go through rough waters in one way or another too... I know I do. :) Crafting helps me as I know it does you as well. Enjoy making new art!
Happy to hear things are getting back on track for you. And you are certainly not alone with you health issues.
Now off the check out the retreat.
We (all of North Carolina-USA) think you are perfect just the way you are. Hey you met my motley crew so you know you really have nothing to worry about. I thank you for all the inspiration you have brought me to learn to just be me! When you get low think about all the people that you have affected in a good way with your art and philosophy of life. I am so glad you came into my life, somehow just when I needed it the most. Just remember Normal is just a setting on the dryer. All My admiration and love Betty
Hi Dyan, I didn't know of your health problems till I was at AFTH last weekend. Take it easy, and give yourself a break ... slow down a bit. Sometimes just reading about your exploits makes me feel tired! Take some time out for you. Mwah! Kate xx
I just wanted to give you a thumbs up, Dyan! You are perfect just the way you are. At least you acknowledge what your body does, you KNOW and you don't suppress it. I highly admire you for your creative ways to keep up with yourself! You are BEAUTIFUL!
I am already signed in and used to say I was counting the minutes for something like this. Yet, I have been learning to live in the NOW! Still I have missed you Miss Dyan1:) see you soon.
Illness or dis-ease, as I like to sometimes call this challenges we all have in a form of another, are all around us.
It is a shame there is still such a stigma towards mental health. Then, we still wander why some get pushed to the edge. And at the edge things that can cause so much pain all around are done. It is all over the news.
I respect you for the courage to not only deal with all this on a daily basis, but to embrace so many dealing with the same challenges.
You have a huge platform, and I am so grateful you use it so wisely!
See you and Dina in the best time in South Florida! :)
It's NOTHING to be ashamed of and thank you for bringing it to the forefront of peoples attention, the more we know about the more we can help - good luck to you
Kathyk
Hi Dyan....waving and encouraging you on..you have a lot of support even though you don't see us we are here Sandra xx
Sorry to hear about your latest struggle. I know nothing I say will help. I was depressed for years and people used to tell me to pull myself together and how could I be depressed with a lovely husband, house job blah blah .... Just take care of yourself and I hope you keep finding strength in your friends and family and your lovely art. Hope to meet you for real sometime !!!
Corrie x
Love that you are so open about your issues, hope you come out the other side soon - we love your for your creativity and without that side of you, you wouldn't be you. Have a cracking week. Love those pics, what a pair you are!!
Take some YOU time......Take some little steps and most importantly take each day one day at a time xx sending love your way xx Big snogs
Kaz x
Your beautiful soul shines through in everything you do! Admire your honesty, spark and grit. Thank goodness for friends and family. You come first. Take care and have some fun getting inky.
Big hugs Dyan, I understand, any mental illness is certainly not easy at any time. Hope you rise back up again very soon. But I love love love your creativity, don't ever stop! As for Florida, I need to win the lottery!!!
Thanks for sharing your challenges. We all have issues or family with issues like this. I appreciate your honesty and openness with your fans. Hoping you are better very soon!
You really should start looking after yourself. You'll always be creative and wacky and we want you to be like that but you'll only be the wonderful person you are if you look after yourself. Wish I could cone to Florida but still can't get insurance because if my health problem. It will be a blast xxxx
Love you Dyan and your good sense of humour. Thanks for sharing your authentic self, mental illness can be hugely tough. Big hugs! X
Thank you for being who you are and being open about your struggles. Many of us have dealt with mental health issues and for too long we have been told to keep quiet. People are not ashamed of physical illness like diabetes or cancer and should not be ashamed of mental illnesses either. God bless you always.
Hi Dyan! You are the only other person I know who has rapid cycling bipolar. I also believe that whatever has caused my mental illness problems also contributes to my creativity. Thanks for being honest and brave enough to share this.
...Raine
HI Dyan.like you I'm wired a bit different. I believe that art is the best therapy. My mobilty is restricted and since Christmas I've been dealing with bladder cancer, I'm 48.one day I'llget to Harrogate from kent and look forward to taking a class.just imagine how boring and beige the world would be if we were all normal.keep your chin up regards fred.
Here's to a good patch and to being open when they're not good ones... you probably have impacted more people than you could possibly imagine with your candor. As to the weekend... my sister and I will be there with bells on!
Thank you for being so open about your struggles. Many of us have dealt with mental health issues if not for ourselves, then someone close to us.Every day is a different day and you never know what is around the corner. Remember that you have a wonderful family that love you, amazing friends that love you and all of us out here that also love you and wish you all the best. Look after yourself - you are number one! xoxo
Hi Dyan, you actually made me feel less alone today while I don't have the issues you face I suffer from anxiety & panic, social anxiety & self esteem, confidence issues big time. I admire your creativity so much and would Love to see you in Australia one day
Allee
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