A lot of self-help books tell us to 'follow your dreams' or 'hustle hard'. But that can be really difficult when you're already dealing with the challenges of dealing with a mental illness. How can you 'hustle' or 'be positive' when you can barely get out of bed? It's better to gradually make small improvements... Continue Reading →
Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder: Delusional Thinking
I’m usually solving some complex puzzle that doesn’t exist. Putting numbers and words together until I’ve cracked the code. My name is a month. I wasn’t born in August, but my name is August. You were born in August. That must mean you’re special. Or am I special? Maybe we have a special mission. Maybe... Continue Reading →
Review: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
If you were to stroll past the self-development section of any bookstore, you would notice a common thread. This section is flooded with books about finding happiness, positivity, wellbeing and mindfulness. Inspirational quotes on social media follow the same trend. Positive thinking philosophy has become an epidemic. Despite recent research revealing the unhealthy nature of avoiding negative... Continue Reading →
Tricks for Slowing Down Your Mind
Anxiety and bipolar mania can cause someone’s mind to ‘speed up’, leading to panicked activities and rushed decisions. It is important to learn how to shift gears, and take things down a notch. Below are some things you can do mindfully slow down your mind and reduce stress. Read a book and focus on every... Continue Reading →
Aspie Spouses: How to Show the Neurotypical in Your Life You Love Them
I remember when my boyfriend (now husband) told me he couldn’t feel my love. I had no idea what he was talking about. “I do love you,” I said matter-of-factly. “What does that even mean?” I panicked. How can I get him to feel my love? I was touching him, we were spending time together,... Continue Reading →
Let’s Talk About the Fidget Spinner Craze
This week I check out my first fidget spinner, in an attempt to figure out what all the fuss is about. Some of us were fidgeting long before the revolving metal discs came whirling into the picture. All of the sudden fidget toys and spinners are everywhere. As I pick up the small black tool... Continue Reading →
Music: ‘Fantastic Butterflies’ by Lu Quade
Lu Quade is a Newcastle based educator, artist, musician and storyteller. He was inspired to write a song about the 'fantastic butterflies' that come with anxiety. Have a listen and check out the lyrics and illustration above.
Mental health: A closed door policy
AUSTRALIA HAS been in the spotlight for its failing human rights record for many years — it continues to deny the basic freedoms of minority groups, including asylum seekers and our indigenous population. What makes a society disengage with others that appear different from them? And how do we ensure that these people can safely... Continue Reading →
A Neurodivergent View of Netflix’s ‘Atypical’
I did it! On a long car ride across Texas, David at the wheel, I managed to sit through the entire first, 38-minute episode, of Atypical, titled Antartica. Let me start by saying that Atypical is a show about autism. It is not made to be a show for autistic people, despite autism being the... Continue Reading →
Recovery: Dear 2014 Julia
Dear 2014 Julia, I miss you. A lot of the time, I wish I were still you. But three years have gone by and we are not the same person anymore. I think about you a lot. I talk and write about you here and there. And I often do it in a snobby way...... Continue Reading →