Transparency

I’ve contemplated making this post because I was afraid of judgement. But then I remembered why I started this blog. It’s a safe space for us to share and explore. I hope that by sharing my experiences others are able to relate and take comfort in the fact that they are not alone.

I have been blessed with two great parents who always worked to make sure that I had what I needed plus more. However, there were times when I was sad and couldn’t really pinpoint why. I was told that you have everything, you shouldn’t be sad. Looking back now, it seems that we were brought up to believe that we always need to have a reason to feel a little sad (probably a reason somewhere in our subconscious ). But anyway, sometimes you just feel a little down and that’s okay. As long as you recognize it and work towards getting back to a healthy mental state. And that’s the point of this post.

My mental state over the past quarter in my master’s program has not been the best and my usual coping mechanisms have not be as effective as usual. I started medication to help with my anxiety and depressive episodes. I was skeptical of starting the medication because I thought “I am not sad all the time, I just struggle with my anxiety.” After thinking about past experiences, I realized that I struggled with depressive episodes in the past and just pinned it on stress.

I was also afraid to make this post because I don’t want others thinking that I am unstable or constantly sad. I genuinely laugh and smile a lot and am happy with my life, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have depressive episodes sometimes. Depressive episodes include lack of motivation, decreased excitement about things that normally make you happy, irritability, fatigue, and physical symptoms such as headaches and hives. It’s not just sadness. Although I was skeptical about starting the medication, I realized that I am working to become the best version of myself and if that includes taking something to better my mental health, I will do that.

As always

Thank you for reading,

~Janay

Simple Things

Just wanted to share some of the simple things that I have been enjoying/grateful for

• The cool breeze throughout the day ( Fall is coming!)

• Birds chirping outside my office all day

• Blue sky and clouds ( I laid on my couch the other day during one of my 10 minute breaks and just looked out the window at the sky and clouds. Seems cheesy, but it was very relaxing and calming lol)

• Candles

• My journal

• Hot green tea with lemon

• My plants

• My vision (goes along with film photography, just being able to see and take beautiful pictures. Again seems cheesy but it’s something that I am grateful for)

  What have you been enjoying? What have you been grateful for recently?

Sanctuary

Recently, I attended a webinar called Mental Health and the Arts. It was about the positive benefits that creating and exploring art can have on your mental health. This webinar allowed me to reflect more on my personal journey.

I randomly picked up film photography as a hobby. I came up with the idea to create a blog. Last summer I completely remodeled my room. I didn’t realize what I was doing until now. Before I just thought I was doing these things because I wanted to. Now, I realized that I was healing through art.

Film has become a calming hobby for me. I constantly think of new ideas for my blog. When I walk into my room, I feel relaxed, cozy, and safe. It’s my little sanctuary, my safe space. I have been creating a safe space for myself to explore.

I’m laughing right now because my subconscious is funny. I didn’t have a specific reason for naming my blog Janay’s Space when I first created it…..until now.

Welcome to my little sanctuary, my safe space…

Janay’s Space

*Should have been the first blog post, but hey…never too late*