SatisfiedDread

The summer break is almost over and I have barely done any writing. It was a goal of mine to write something over the break, like a script for a short film or play even. I’ve compiled bits I’ve written out, but they each are only like a paragraph or something at most.

One big thing I’ve been wanting to do would revolve around my experiences of being trans, but that’s so broad. What about it? I have such a hard time narrowing myself down, or even starting. I think I get overwhelmed before I’ve even begun. 

Oh, and the fact that I’ve not been very open about being trans to people in my day to day life. For the past…7-8 years I’ve kept it to myself with only a few select new people I’ve shared that with. But if I made a short film around it? I would be outing myself. And I don’t think it’s a bad thing. I’m just afraid I think. Even though I know the people that matter to me would be accepting. Part of the intrigue to outing myself is finding out if people really knew or not. I figure being queer is obvious, but maybe only to other people that are receptive to it? I still get some people making assumptions that I’m heterosexual…which I don’t understand.

Maybe I would be less afraid if I didn’t have the connections to make and put something out there onto a bigger platform? I know some people in local indie film and have connections that would help me get into programs/funding for projects…but it’s terrifying to put yourself out there when for the longest time you’ve hidden yourself away.

No writing done up, but I swear I have a good excuse this year haha. Okay that’s a bit of a lie, I could’ve done *something* but I was pooped. The same week of my final exam before summer I started my job on another TV production, this one being an Amazon/Universal one :o! So that took up 50 hours a week for me which was tiring. My whole summer went by in a blur as a lot of my awake time was in an office and then when I had some free time I was trying to soak that up as much as I could.

My last day was this past Friday, so I’ve been being pretty lazy this week as school starts up next week. More experiences are coming my way as well, more Women’s and Gender Studies classes...I also had a prof ask me before summer if I was maybe interested in a research assistant position and I said yeah! And it’s to do with something queer so that’ll be pretty cool too.

I went into a local cannabis clinic in hopes of getting authorized to order medicinal cannabis.

identify the destructive patterns and realize that something needs to change

understand why you engage in these cycles and search for the root of the problem 

be aware of your triggers

recognize the consequences you’re experiencing now because of these behaviors and the consequences that you’ll experience in the future if you continue them

set small, achievable goals and reward yourself when you reach them

allow yourself an excess of time. there’s no rush and there’s no reason to pressure yourself unnecessarily 

keep a journal to log your progress, goals, triggers, healthy coping skills, etc.

believe that you can break free from the cycle

challenge negative self-talk and harmful thought patterns

acknowledge and celebrate a success, no matter how small it feels

practice makes progress 

make a list of healthy coping skills and keep the list close at all times to use when you’re triggered

form new habits and get involved in new activities or hobbies to replace the destructive behaviors

engage in self-care

Helena Hospital Opens Smudging Room For Native Americans

[IMAGE: Louise Ogemahgeshig Fischer in the smudging room with an eagle feather.]

In September, Saint Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana dedicated a new room where Native Americans can carry out a traditional healing practices.

A drum circle just outside Saint Peter’s main entrance heralded the opening of the hospital’s new ‘Culture Room’, a former office just off the hospital’s main chapel, which can be used for smudging.

Little Shell Tribal member Daniel Pocha said getting hospitals to allow smudging has always been hit and miss.

“The individual you ask might say yes, the next one might say, go out in the cold. So it is really great that this has come to fruition.”

Great, not only because the culture room is convenient, but also because it acknowledges the needs of patients who follow Native religious traditions.

The room is decorated with pleasant picturesque murals depicting calm scenes of a waterfall, and a bald eagle carrying sage and sweetgrass.