self aware – Mind Your Mental LLC

28Sep 2016 by Yulinda Renee 2 Comments

Mental Illness Isn’t Sexy but it’s Real: Lets Talk About It

We have a problem. A really big problem. A problem that is difficult to talk about but easy to minimize. A problem that is so insidious that some of us don't even acknowledge that there is a problem. Or that some of us deem it "their problem". Or we ridicule those who acknowledge, accept, and attempt to fix the problem. And the problem is just getting worse. Mental Illness is real. It is not a sign of weakness. A lack of faith. A cry for attention. An issue that we can afford to keep defunding and expect everything to be OK. The prevalence of mental illness is becoming more and more apparent as care is becoming more negligent. Ignoring mental illness doesn't make it go away. Recently I have seen…

16Sep 2016 by Yulinda Renee No Comments

F Balance, Be Intentional Instead!

Life Transitions/Life Purpose

I fell hook, line, and sinker for the elusive goal of obtaining balance. I even wrote a poem about it here. But what is balance actually? As I think more about my life and how it is in constant flux I become anxious for the need to get it all lined up just so. I picture myself walking on a tight rope, focus honed in on the task at hand. Unable to move left or right for fear of free falling. Rigid in my movements. The flexibility to adjust? Drastically limited. And what I come away with is a life filled with restraint. No room to breathe too deeply because I may throw off my weight distribution on the rope. No freedom to take in my surroundings because a loss…

14Sep 2016 by Yulinda Renee No Comments

Wednesday Wisdom

Effective Communication

Being vulnerable does not make you a sucker. Asking for help does not make you weak. Engaging in therapy does not make you a heathen Accepting support does not make you a leech. Crying does not make you soft. Wanting comfort does not make you needy Missing someone does not make you clingy Being angry doesn't mean you're out of control Wanting to feel safe doesn't mean you're controlling Wanting the clamor inside your head to be quiet does not make you crazy. None of theses things are inherently negative. They are Human. You are Human. You have a right to feel however you feel. The goal is to become self aware. To use discernment so we are not victims of others or our own mismanaged emotions. Acknowledge them.…

01Sep 2016 by Yulinda Renee No Comments

Sickle Cell, up close and personal; National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Life Transitions/Life Purpose

I am the mother of three, including a set of twins, one of which has sickle cell. In honor of September’s sickle cell awareness month, we share our story. The disorder runs on my father's side of the family and I lost two older brothers from sickle cell complications. I learned that my youngest daughter had sickle cell from her newborn screen. After the initial shock and confusion (My ex husband and I were unaware that he carried the trait although we were aware that I had it) I did everything I could to become educated on the disease. Sickle Cell is a blood disorder that causes the red blood cells to change from their normal pliable circular shape to a sickle shape. These cells are sticky and can become stuck in blood vessels, leading…

29Aug 2016 by Yulinda Renee No Comments

Be an authority over your own thoughts: A hard conversation with myself

Life Transitions/Life Purpose

Woke up this morning and felt unsettled in my spirit. I found out something that made me start to question myself. It was causing feelings of bitterness and was disrupting my productivity. These thoughts were stealing my contentment. I tried to swallow down the frustration but it got stuck in my chest. I could feel it tightening. My head started to hurt and I felt my hands contracting into fist. I started asking the questions? Why not me? Why are things so difficult for me? Why must I always struggle? Where is my break? Why is everyone else prospering and I'm having such a hard time? And on and on. Then I stopped. I stopped and checked myself. Sure, life isn't fair, but my journey is my own and I…

23Aug 2016 by Yulinda Renee No Comments

Stress Management as a Family Unit

Trauma/Triggers/Coping

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger: Dealing with stress in the family as a family. Strong families are beneficial to not only themselves but to the communities in which they reside; they are the building blocks of society. Unfortunately even the strongest family can be shaken by stress. However, the stress itself is not so much the problem but how it is dealt with. The mismanagement of stress can lead to fissures in the foundation of the family system. Effective communication is the best tool for a family to use to successfully navigate stressors, and often the most underutilized. People tend to deal with stress in silos. Opting to go it alone opposed to coming together to tackle it as a team; from the teen being bullied at school,…

08Aug 2016 by Yulinda Renee No Comments

Help for the helpers

Trauma/Triggers/Coping

On occasion I will share personal experiences in an effort to make of myself a mirror. To reflect back my struggles and my growth so that others don't feel alone. I help because I understand I understand because I've been there and I return there with the hopes of bringing someone else out with me... It's difficult being in the helping profession when you yourself are not on solid ground. I have experienced some trials and tribulations and as much as part of me wants to hold on to anger and bitterness, as much as I feel I have a right to these emotions; that they are some how righteous, I also know that clinging to them is hindering me. It is negatively effecting everything I do, from my business…

27Jul 2016 by Yulinda Renee No Comments

When they tell you to just pray…

Trauma/Triggers/Coping

You can't pray away depression, or any mental illness. Some might find that statement offensive. But the reality is that many people, especially minorities, view therapy as an affront to God. "I don't need therapy, I just need to pray harder." Or maybe you can pray to be guided to a professional that can help you. Therapy is a tool to help achieve mental wellness, and should be seen as such. In my opinion, not utilizing the tools which can help us become more fully what we were created to be is much more of an affront. Prayer WITH WORK works. Seeking and going to counseling is doing the work, and you are worthy of it. You are meant to be holistically well. Yulinda Rock

03May 2016 by Yulinda Renee No Comments

Children Mental Health Awareness

Awareness Months, Children Mental Health

Dancing through daffodils Smiling at the frog as it leaps to freedom Upturned face capturing the sweet breeze Swing set waiting in anticipation for little legs to set it flying Sprinklers chase them through the grass As peals of laughter waft up to the listening ears of perched birds Sun shining on closed lids As they wake up from a dream full of peace Only to open their eyes and realize it’s another day Another day of being sad And they wish they could go back to sleep again The escape of a child… ~Yulinda Rock Caring for children is one of the most important tasks we have as adults. All around us is evidence of what happens when we don't: Chaos. May 5th is children's mental health awareness day.…

07Apr 2016 by Yulinda Renee 1 Comment

Balance…

Trauma/Triggers/Coping

Balance elusive yet desirable attainable but sacrifices must be made to reach the Bliss point where all things sit on their perch just so letting go of one to uplift the other sister mother lover friend in the end there is a give and take or in the wake of the tumultuous juggling will be broken things scattered at your feet So I repeat Balance desirable but hard to maintain one must refrain from doing too much or not Enough rebuffed by the pressure to do all to not let anything fall by the wayside Pride we must check respect your limitations by celebrating all that you do in lieu of perfection we honor intentions make sure yours are pure sacrifice all that you were In order to become the…