Liptember Day 21 - red lips sink ships So, I'm working from home today as the threat of thunderstorm asthma looms over Melbourne. It comes at a good time because I'm feeling generally off at the moment. At the start of this year I chose the word 'release' as my intention for the year, the idea being I would work through some of the trauma which has caused me anxiety. Great idea in theory. I know it will be worth it in the long run. But goddamn it's hard in the meantime. I feel like every time something in the external world shifts - at the moment, the marriage equality debate - my internal world becomes a washing machine, and I have to take a deep breath and let it tumble me round and round until things calm down enough for me to make it to the surface. I was sitting at my computer reading cases for work with some of this mulling in the background, when I knew I needed to get up and shift it. So I whacked some red lips on my bare face, took a few selfies and voila! Mood shifted, for a while anyway. I do Liptember every year because as someone who functions highly in spite of - and sometimes because of - my mental illness, I feel it is my responsibility to raise awareness - and hopefully a sack of cash - on behalf of those who can't. Don't get me wrong - sometimes it is hard to live openly with a mental illness. Stigma is still alive and well. I am constantly second guessing myself and what other people think of me. But it is nowhere near as hard as living with an illness people can't see and not being able to speak about it. If that's you - please know I'm standing with you. If you can spare a couple of dollars to help those out there struggling to find treatment - or even an accurate diagnosis - I'd be so appreciative. Every dollar really does count. https://www.liptember.com.au/erin-van-krimpen (Clickable link in my IG profile too). #liptember #kissawaytheblues #lipsensebella #lipsenseaustralia #lipsenseicicle #lipsensemulledwine #lipsenseblured
