Checking-In!!

Each month I want to make a habit out of doing a mental health check in with you guys. Not asking much and obviously, it's voluntary. But if you want to participate, I'm sure you'll be thankful in the end(:

So really, it's easy peasy! I am going to give you some prompts and questions to ask yourself and make yourself think about how you're really doing up there in your headspace. The questions will be asked in a way as if you were asking them to yourself to hopefully help you relate and be able to answer them to your best ability.

if you'd like, grab a piece of paper to jot down your answers or you can just keep them in your head.

Let's get into the questions!!!

1. How am I feeling, both mentally and physically?

2. What's taking up the most of my headspace this very moment?

3. Have I eaten regular meals and had enough water lately?

4. Am I getting a healthy amount of sleep?

5. Am I moving my body enough and have I gotten outside recently?

6. Have I had too much screen time recently? Do I need a break from social media?

7. Does anyone else know how I am feeling? Have I connected with a loved one recently?

8. What's something I am looking forward to?

9. Am I giving myself enough credit? What's one reason to be proud of myself?

10. What are five things that I am grateful for?

I hope these questions give you some insight to whether or not you are taking care of your mind. If you find yourself dealing with these questions and not being able to answer them truthfully, please try to do so. There's no reason to lie to yourself or others. Remember, it's okay to not be okay. But it's also good to recognize that you aren't okay. You need to be able to tell others how you are feeling so that they can be there for you. Not all mental health disorders are visible. Let others know how you feel so they can better help you.

If you answers looked something like this:

1. I'm so overwhelmed with school/work/life. I need a break.

2. So many things are taking up headspace that it's hard to pinpoint.

3. I can't remember the last time I had a "real" meal or a glass of water.

4. Is two hours at once healthy?

5. I don't have the energy to move or go outside.

6. I don't really put my phone down, it distracts me from how I'm really feeling

7. I tend to keep my emotions to myself, I don't want to bother them with my feelings

8. nothing, my life isn't exciting

9. what would I give myself credit for, why would I be proud of myself?

10. not really anything I can list

Then you probably need to reach out and get some help or at least try and learn some ways to better your mental health before it's too late. And if you are feeling like this and your answers do look like this, that's okay. Just know that it shouldn't always be like that. Talk to someone you love and let them know how you're really doing. If you don't have that person to go to, please feel free to reach out to be through email (lxrynwxtring@gmail.com), Facebook group (brave but soft), or instagram (@bravebutsoft).

If you answers looked something like this:

1. I'm feeling good! I work five days a week but feel like I manage it well.

2. how to properly spend my free weekend (spending time with family or go out with friends)

3. I eat 2 full meals a day (just not hungry in the mornings) and snack probably too much

4. I try to go to bed by 10pm and wake up around 7am everyday, maybe not on weekends

5. I try to take a walk if it's nice out or do something at home if I can't be outside

6. I'd say I spend too much time on my phone, but I also like to read, a good balance.

7. I'm pretty close with my mom and my boyfriend probably knows too much, but I have a good friend group too

8. I'm looking forward to picking out a halloween costume!!!

9. I probably don't give myself enough credit, but I am proud of myself for meeting my goals at work and being able to help others

10. 1. my parents 2. my relationship 3. my job 4. my kids 5. my animals

then you probably are in a good stable mental state of mind. If you are this person who is content and happy with their life I have a mission for you: reach out to someone. Find someone in your life that you think might be going through a tough time and tell them how much you appreciate them and that if they need to talk they are more than welcome to contact you. For those that are dealing with overwhelming thoughts and emotions, someone checking in on them does wonders. It helps them feel like they aren't alone. Needless to say, this person with these answers could be dealing with mental health as well, but they could have a better understanding of how to take care of their mental health. But if your answers aren't like theirs, its okay! It's okay to learn ways to better take care of yourself.

if you feel like you need help please reach out! I am always here if you need someone to talk to!

Just for fun I am going to share my answers with you guys to give you motivation to answer them yourselves!

1. I am feeling pretty good physically, but sometimes deal with headaches and tummy issues (but I'm used to them lol). Mentally, I go back and forth, but overall, pretty well.

2. taking up the most headspace right now is working on my blog and making it how I want it and trying to reach as many people as I can.

3. I try to eat a good lunch and dinner, mostly dinner would be considered a full meal, but breakfast is usually iced coffee (lol) and I am not good at drinking water, but I drank a hydroflask full today!!

4. sometimes I do, sometimes I don't, but either way I am always sleepy

5. I try to take my puppy out and throw ball a few times a day but I am not good at working out (need to go back to the gym)

6. I always have too much screen time and have been in a constant battle of deleting social media or taking a break, but then I would be even more bored than I already am

7. my boyfriend is the main person who knows my emotions (probably too much if you ask him) but I am also pretty close with my parents too.

8. I am looking forward to celebrating my three year anniversary with my boyfriend next Monday and going out to eat somewhere fancy

9. I mostly don't give myself enough credit, but I am trying to work on it. and I am proud of myself for putting in the work for this blog and hope my work pays off.

10. five things I am grateful for: my boyfriend ( I love you baby!), my family, my pets (Draco and Flynn if you know you know!!!), my jobs, and my education.

there you have it, my answers. If you'd like, share your answers on my Facebook or instagram pages!!! I'd love to see your answers!!

take care of your mind and I'll see you guys on Thursday!

xx Loryn