#reachouttoconnect

If you are struggling right now to focus, if you're dealing with anxiety, depression, or having trouble sleeping, you are not alone. If you're struggling to get work done, that's okay. If you're throwing youself into work, that's okay, too. For so many creative, sensitive people, for survivors of trauma and mental health warriors--including myself--it's been hard to focus during the pandwmic. We might be productive one day and not be able to the next. However you get through this pandemic, as long as it doesn't hurt you or anyone else, is it okay. Just be gentle with yourself. This is a tough time for us all. #NoShameInCoping #ShieldYourMentalHealh And remember to #ReachOutToConnect if you need it. It can help. https://bit.ly/2Vq3QX0 #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealth #traumasurvivor #trauma #YAwriter #LGBTQwriter #booknerd #bookworm #ireadYA #survivor #feminist #YAlit https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VRdVAgEu8/?igshid=14el1jiri6uuv

It is a hard, traumatizing time right now for most of us, made worse by isolation, by grief and sickness and loss around us, and the onslaught of negative news. Add in the pressure and shaming us to be productive, even more than usual because we have all this "time" - which completely ignores how traumatizing the pandemic is - and it can affect your mental health. It's okay to do what you need to do to #ShieldYourMentalHealth and cope. Some days during this pandemic all I can do is listen to audiobooks, or make crafts as gifts, or sew masks for people I love because it helps me feel calmer and like I'm doing something to help. Other days I am so overwhelmed and exhausted that I can't do anything at all. And some days I can actually write or edit my books, and those days I am grateful for the focus and energy. But always throat it I am reminding myself but it's okay to cope however I need to cope, and if I can't be productive that is okay. My mental health is more important. I hope you will join me in reminding others to #ShieldYourMentalHealth, that there is #NoShameInCoping, and to #ReachOutToConnect Use the hashtags on social media, and if you tag me I will re-share it. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_VBxqlAiV0/?igshid=6jj2qbhuqhus

As human beings we need connection & safe touch - they are basic needs. On top of everything else that is hard during the pandemic, the isolation can really affect your mental health. Please #ReachOutToConnect to others. Check in with people you love, let them know you care about them, and give them a chance to love you back. Reach out to crisis lines if you need to. You are not alone. Join me and other authors, educators, survivors, and mental health warriors in spreading the word. https://bit.ly/2Vq3QX0 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Uzy-qgaNi/?igshid=252k2f6zv0of

The pandemic is traumatizing. You should not feel pressure to be productive or "okay," or have your atruggles minimized. If you are struggling right now to focus on work, or have greater anxiety, depression, or exhaustion, you are not alone. Join me and other authors, creatives, & educators on Thursday, April 23 in letting others know there is #NoShameInCoping and that it’s okay to #ShieldYourMentalHealth and to #ReachOutToConnect. See more of the authors involved here: https://bit.ly/2Vq3QX0 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_RAAkrg-U9/?igshid=5awf20d7zrm9