Are You OK?

Well, folks!

It appears to be that time again. The time when I get to wish you another good morning along with Monday well wishes too!

We are officially now celebrating the 11th day of April…CRAZY!

Remember last week how I said we would reconvene in regards to Mother Nature and her weather?

Well, all I have to say is…

Mmmbyeee.

Still waiting for those continuous days of sunshine and blue skies…

NOT harsh winds and coldness which is what was served up this week.

Well, at least in Lancaster, PA that was what was served up.

Anyhoo, I digress…are you surprised?

Let’s get down to business.

This week, I was asked a few different questions from different friends in my life that led me to writing a blog post about it.

Imagine that.

Are you OK?

How are you?

How are you doing mentally?

The National Alliance on Mental Health has published the below statistics on their website that gives just a little taste behind the curtain in regards to the mental struggles that we see as humans.

-1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.

-1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.

-1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.

-50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.

-Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34.

While I want to write that these statistics are shocking, I can’t. I know that mental health is such a struggle for so many and it is something that will only get worse.

So…that leads me to ask you…

Are you OK?

How are you?

How are you doing mentally?

And to these questions, I give you this answer:

I am doing well, thank you. I get stressed out about things beyond my control at times—which is something that I’m constantly working on in regards to myself, but I know how to participate in activities that recharge me and also know how to listen to my body when I need rest–physically and mentally.

It will come as no surprise that I like to stay busy.

And I mean…BUSY.

Shocker, I know.

I love when that old fashioned planner of mine is filled in to max capacity.

I have a full-time job filling 40 hours per week, a part-time job that fills approximately 10-12 hours per week, hold the hats of Music Director and Church Council President at St. Paul Penryn, and also house manage/bartend at EPAC during shows.

This all gets bundled into trying to see a trainer twice a week (or hit up the gym), spend time with family on Tuesday evenings for dinner, and also make plans with friends.

Oh, and don’t forget those other “daily” chores of needing to clean the house, do wash, cook, and grocery shop.

Not to mention trying to organize finances, handling any unexpected entities that might come up, and balancing the negative news of the word that gets thrown into the shuffle on the daily too.

Is it time for a nap, yet?

Exhausting.

Am I right?

I know I’m not in the minority on this because I have a feeling many individuals…including you reading these very words have felt frazzled, disorganized, and on the brink of screaming at least once or twice in this past week alone.

Many people always get worried because I do a lot in my life; however, I will tell you that I’m a rare breed–an outlier or unique individual so to speak.

Being busy helps me thrive and there are things that I do in my busy life that also help me to recharge my mental health.

The house managing and bartending that I’m currently involving myself with at EPAC is a huge mental health rejuvenation for me because it allows me to have conversations with people of all shapes and sizes and to have that human-to-human interaction in person that I’m not able to always get from my full-time and part-time jobs.

Some people rejuvenate with traveling.

That is not my speed.

Give me some sand, water, and adult beverages at the beach and I’m good to go.

That is rejuvenating to me.

It could even be as simple as some hard seltzers and cornhole.

It could simply be a game night of competitive fun and laughs.

All of these are rejuvenating to me.

I rejuvenate with my watching of The Golden Girls (which I have been without for the last 34 days because of the Lent season). Only 7 more days to go!

TV is not always something that rejuvenates others, but it is for me. I especially find comfort and warm fuzzy feelings especially in the TV shows that I know line-for-line.

I rejuvenate when texting with friends.

I rejuvenate when having conversations over dinner about life with friends.

On the contrary, I can rejuvenate with friends over just a movie without speaking any words too.

I rejuvenate when spending time with family. So important.

I rejuvenate with reading before bed.

I rejuvenate when coloring between the lines.

I rejuvenate when washing dishes.

I rejuvenate when I get to nap.

I rejuvenate with playing music on the piano.

I rejuvenate when I simply get to lay in bed, put my phone on DND and do nothing. (It might be a rare happening, but it happens).

I don’t deny the fact that I get anxious about the happenings of the world or the stress of my jobs, but I assure each and every one of you that I am OK mentally.

On the flip side, I also want to re-iterate the fact that is OK to not be OK.

If you are feeling not OK, I urge you to reach out to a professional or someone you trust and love for help.

Find the support system that will help you to rejuvenate, love you unconditionally, and never judge.

Are you OK?

How are you?

How are you doing mentally?

Ask yourself these three questions this week.

Write down the answers.

And once you’ve done that for yourself, do it for the others in your life that you appreciate.

We are all in this together.

As the simple phrase goes…

“We rise by lifting others up.”

Sprinkle sunshine always,

JP!