Loving… melatonin. I started having insomnia early in June, around the time I was experiencing a particularly brutal depressive episode. Sleep usually comes easily for me, so this insomnia was a very unpleasant visitor! I decided to take matters into my own hands and picked up a bottle of melatonin at the grocery store. I take a 3mg dose and it works wonders for me. I fall asleep easily, stay asleep, and wake up feeling good. God bless you, melatonin.
Loathing… the news, so I’m not paying attention to it right now. Can I do that because I’m in a privileged position? Yup. But the news has been so depressing and so heartbreaking lately that I had to protect my mental health. So, I decided to take a month off. A month off from episodes of Pod Save America, a month off from the news-y email newsletters I get, a month off from constantly reading the news and getting defeated. I had to, or I was going to go crazy. It’s too much for me right now. This administration is sickening. And I needed to step away. I am so glad I did.
Watching… Big Brother! The summer is upon us, friends, and with that comes the only show I watch in real-time. Big Brother is completely ridiculous and I recognize that, but I just can’t quit it. I love that it’s on three days a week and that I can get completely consumed by the people and the backstabbing and the competitions. Bring it on!
Listening to… Jen Gotch is OK Sometimes. I’ve been following Jen Gotch for a while, and I love how open and honest she is about her mental illness. I mean, I started following her the day she was filming herself through a panic attack at an airport! There was something refreshing about it. Not too many people are taking you on the day-to-day journey of what it’s like to struggle with mental illness. So, of course, once Jen said she was starting a podcast, I immediately subscribed. I am really, really loving it. It’s not a polished, perfect thing, but that’s the beauty in it. It’s real. It’s honest. It’s a must-listen for anyone who struggles with mental illness, or for people who want to better understand mental illness.
Anticipating… a weekend trip to Anna Maria Island. I’m taking the trip with my girlfriends, and we rented a house right by the beach. It’ll be a fun, relaxing weekend full of books, silly games, inside jokes, and plenty of naps. 🙂 We know how to travel well together.
Grateful for… a new freelancing assignment. Woo, boy, did it come at the right time. I’ve been a little stressy about money lately because I’ve had several expensive car repairs and have to come up with money for my upcoming vacation ($200 for the rental house, and who knows how much for food and activities). Argh! It feels like I can never get ahead with my finances, sometimes. Thankfully, my car will be paid off next month and that will free up over $200 in my budget. Thank the Lord.
Needing… to make another appointment to get my vehicle inspected. The service center I took it to last week told me my car was fine and no repairs or replacements were necessary. And I find that really hard to believe, especially with the way it’s been driving lately. Honestly, I think they only checked the battery, brakes, and tires – all of which have been replaced within the last six months. I wish I would have clarified with the service center but hello, social anxiety. I couldn’t get the words out. Sigh. I think I need to get a second opinion about the car, and I’m going to take her to a local mechanic to get a real inspection and make sure I clarify what parts of my car I want inspected (i.e., the belts, the fluids, spark plugs, etc.) Also, I realize what a boring paragraph this is. You’re welcome?
What are you currently watching and anticipating?
I’m glad melatonin works for you! I used to take it but I think my body got so used to it that it didn’t help anymore. I have struggled with insomnia a lot in my life but right now it’s not bad as I am so damn tired from all the waking up at night with our baby!
Your girlfriend getaway sounds like so much fun! It’s great that you have a group of girlfriends to travel with. That is something I didn’t have until I started blogging as all my local friends got married way younger than me and that put an end to girlfriend travel, aside from a few trips here and there.
I’m watching nothing right now! Phil and I haven’t found a new show to watch together, so besides the news in the morning (which is super depressing!) I’m not watching anything.
I’m anticipating 5 nights at my parents lake home next week. And I’m anticipating my return to work in just under 2 weeks. I’m so worried about how it will go but am trying to trust that we will all get through it. I just want to go to bed and wake up a month into the transition!
I’m trying to only take melatonin on the nights when I can’t sleep because I’m worried about my body becoming used to it, like yours did! I need it maybe 1-2 times a week now, so that’s good. My anxiety has leveled out over the last few weeks, and that means I’m sleeping better, thankfully.
That girls’ trip sounds like so much fun. And oh, the glory of paying off your car! Congrats! I have… a few years to go. Ha.
Paying off my car was the best feeling, but also weird? I was like, so that’s it? I kind of wish they had thrown confetti down my screen like BOTM does when I select my box. 😉
Yea, the news does the same thing to me. :/ It’s unavoidable, but I take it in small doses.
Hooray for paying off the car soon!
Small doses is where its at! I try to stay off Twitter now because it just makes me anxious. My political podcasts and the one news-y email newsletter I’m subscribed to are about my limit.
Oh a girls trip to a beach house. I am beyond jealous. That sounds really nice!
And I hear you about the news: I’ve stepped back a bit (but not completely) too. It’s so hard to handle.
I’m so excited for my beach weekend with my girls. I just hope we have nice weather!
I’m a Big Brother fan, too. I love it and have watched it since the very first season. I’m not super hooked on anyone yet this season, but I feel like I’ll get there once we get a little deeper into the game.
OH GIRL. LET’S TALK. It usually takes me a few weeks to figure out who I’m rooting for – need them to do some backstabbing and play some competitions to see who emerges from the pack.