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Spreading Awareness This September

Jaclyn Baker
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The month of September is dedicated to Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and National Recovery Month. This time is meant to reflect and spread hope for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and addiction.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is about having open communication with your peers and checking in on your loved ones. The key message of the campaign is to show that you are not alone. It is also a time to recognize the lives that have been lost to suicide. 

Bringing awareness to the topics is a way to stop the stigma and ensure that people know how important it is to prioritize mental health care. 

National Recovery Month is also held every September to call positive attention to the importance of treatment and recovery, especially for those dealing with mental or substance use disorders. 

Celebrate and recognize the strides made by those who live full and meaningful lives while on medication or in recovery. Remember that you are resilient and recovery in all forms is possible.

This month is a time where the community comes together. It’s important to reach out or listen to mental health advocates, survivors, and allies to continue to educate yourself.

For more information, you can check out the following resources:

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Information | NAMI

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Suicide Prevention Crisis Text Line

Navigating a Mental Health Crisis

National Recovery Month Information

National Recovery Month 2021 Events

The History of NAADAC and the Addiction Profession | YouTube

We All Have Bad Days

Jaclyn Baker
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We’ve all had those days where it feels like nothing goes our way.

You know, those days where we forgot to set our alarm clock, or accidentally sent an important email with typos…

When something goes wrong, sometimes it can feel like you took a step back.

But you know what? It doesn’t have to feel that way. You have it in you to turn a bad day into a great one. 

Take Away The Power

The truth is bad days will come.

But they will also go. 

You don’t have to let a bad day weigh on your mind for days. 

Reminding yourself that these days don’t last forever can take that power away. 

Living in the present and taking each situation head-on can help you see that those bad days have some good in them too.

Escape Expectations 

High expectations and running into tough challenges are not exactly a winning combination. 

Meaning that a mistake or setback can feel even worse if you went into the day hoping for it to be perfect. 

Try reframing your expectations instead, and you will see that there isn’t an obstacle you can’t overcome. 

Accept that you are human, and there will be times when you fall. 

But you know what? You can still get right back up afterwards. 

Set your expectations around the phrase “I tried my best” and cut yourself some slack. 

Just be proud of knowing that you gave the day your all. 

Enjoy The Detour 

Each day is a new beginning that allows you to grow further into the person you are. 

So, think about a bad day more like a mini detour on your path to success rather than a roadblock.

Even if you don’t get to your destination today, you can still take time to enjoy the view. 

It’s when you look at the bigger picture that you start to take joy in the detours. 

Every bad day comes along with a life lesson and can help you appreciate the good days even more. 

There is strength in every struggle!

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Do We Really Thrive On Structure?

Jaclyn Baker
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Let’s talk about structure, shall we? 

Having structure is more than just staying organized. 

Maintaining structure can build confidence and help you stay on track throughout the day. 

Have you ever had one of those days where you had a list a mile long and had no idea where to start?

We all have! 

Adding structure to your day may not be able to eliminate those moments completely…

But it can certainly help dial them down.  Remember – your entire day doesn’t have to be perfect. 

All you can do is start slow and work your way up at your own pace. 

Your Sleep Schedule

Shortcuts aren’t always a bad thing. But they do have their time and their place. 

Your sleep is one of those things that needs your undivided attention and should be taken seriously. 

When we are overtired, it is difficult to think clearly and put things in perspective, which can make it harder to make decisions throughout the day. 

Going to sleep and waking up at the same time can help take out the guesswork and keep your body on track. 

It all comes down to changing your mindset. Instead of telling yourself, you have to go to sleep, tell yourself it’s time to go to sleep. 

Sleep shouldn’t feel like a chore you have to do. It should feel like a treat! 

Reflection/Quiet Time

None of us are superheroes, and we all need some quiet time throughout the day. 

An uninterrupted moment free of distractions or overstimulating environments can help you to unplug and reflect. 

Let’s be honest. It can be difficult to relax and enjoy the moment when your phone is buzzing every 5 minutes

You deserve to have that time for yourself where you can think about what you’re grateful for and highlight all the ways you’ve made a mark on the day.

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Changing The Way You Look At Goal Setting

Jaclyn Baker
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How many times have you started a goal just to end up forgetting about it a few weeks in? 

Instead of waiting for a special occasion, like New Year’s or your birthday to start that new project – just start and see what happens. 

Be Intentional 

Hitting the refresh button and starting all over again can be tempting, but often, it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Creating a habit or a routine takes more than hoping that things will change once that day comes. 

Instead of resolutions, try setting intentions. 

Intentions give you some more wiggle room and can take some of that pressure off.

An intention like “I will be more patient with others” gives you a less strict guideline that you can grow on more and more each day.

Put a Plan In Place

Making a solid plan could be the secret to making your goal become a reality. 

Take your intentions even further by breaking them down into small steps.

For example, if you want to learn a new language, you will need to get familiar with the basics first. 

After all, anything worthwhile doesn’t happen overnight. 

Prepare For Distractions

As much as you plan, sometimes life can get in the way. 

When plans pivot, let them!

 It’s okay to skip a day or two when you need a break as long as you don’t lose sight of the end game. 

“By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands – your own.” – Mark Victor Hansen

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Yes – Self Doubt Can Actually Be Helpful At Times

Jaclyn Baker
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You know that little cloud of confusion that can sometimes block you from making decisions? That little cloud is called self-doubt, and if you let it, it can take over quickly. 

Now, self-doubt isn’t a bad thing. You just have to learn how to balance it.

That feeling of doubt can give you some time to think a decision through and see if it’s wise. 

However, too much of it can keep you jogging on the spot for far too long. 

See The Upside

Sometimes doubt can play a part in making a big decision. Seeing the silver lining and using your doubt-powers for good takes some practice, but it is attainable. 

When it comes to the big life choices, some doubt can help you evaluate them deeper. 

But don’t let it be the final decider. All you have to do is trust your gut. 

Challenge Your Fears

Call your self-doubt out and ask yourself why these feelings are flooding in. 

Is it because you don’t think you’re good enough? Or that you just have a bad feeling? Whatever the reason, challenge these fears.

Putting a name to the feelings that swirl around you will become more manageable in time. 

“If you don’t have some self-doubts and fears when you pursue a dream, then you haven’t dreamed big enough.” – Joe Vitale

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Discovering Your Authentic Self

Jaclyn Baker
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To learn who you are and what you want sometimes you need to unlearn what others tell you.

Authenticity comes from within. 

It’s natural to want to know how you fit in the world and find your place. 

But you don’t have to sacrifice who you are to do that. 

Trust Your Decisions

Do you lean on others to make decisions for you?

Don’t give others the power to change the way you feel about your decisions. There is nothing wrong with asking others for their point of view and seeking advice. But if you disagree with their recommendations, you don’t have to take them. 

It’s so easy to procrastinate on making decisions due to the fear of making the wrong one. 

Just because you fear something doesn’t make it true. 

Remember that no one knows you better than you know yourself.

The best thing you can do is trust your instincts and let them guide you.

Repeat Affirmations

It’s okay to think about your needs! Even though there’s no “I” in team, there is one in independence. 

Practicing daily affirmations can help keep you on track and tap into the power you have inside.

They can also help you remind you who you are and what makes you unique.

Life is your journey to discovery and every day is a learning opportunity. 

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” E.E. Cummings

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Not Feeling Motivated? Here’s What To Do

Jaclyn Baker
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Motivation doesn’t always show up when we want it to.

Waiting until you get that burst of energy to start or finish a project isn’t exactly ideal, especially when time is of the essence. 

When motivation doesn’t strike, don’t give up! Try out healthy habits instead.

Begin With The End in Mind

Take time to reflect on what is important to you and begin with the end in mind.

Just imagine how proud and accomplished you’ll feel when that task gets checked off your list. 

Thinking about how complicated or scary a task at hand may be certainly won’t make the process any easier.

In fact, it can bring on anxiety and stress. 

And you know what? Once you actually get started, the task may be easier than you originally anticipated. 

Start Small & Work Your Way Up

Ease into your new habits slowly and start small. 

What sounds easier….

Doing 100 pushups a day for a week?

or,

Doing one pushup today, two pushups tomorrow, three pushups the next day etc.?

Yes, it will take you a bit longer to get to the 100 pushup goal – but the overall process will be much less overwhelming, and you can work at your own pace. 

The more you practice committing your time and energy to something, the more you get used to doing it – even if you don’t love it. 

Link Habits To Your Routine

Establishing a new habit can be a lot easier if you link it to an existing one.

Here’s an example. 

Let’s say you’d love to start reading every day but feel like you don’t have the time. You work long hours, and by the time you get home, all you want to do is spend time with family and go to sleep.

A great hack is to pick just one daily habit you already have and combine the two – such as drinking coffee on the porch. 

All you’ll have to do is bring a book out a book when you drink your coffee so that you can do both at the same time.

If you keep at it long enough, before you know it, that activity will likely become second nature. 

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” -Jim Ryun

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