Blog Posts, Health and Wellness, Previous Posts

At 61, I’m Yet Alive!

Repost by original author as seen on CandaceAlikeSmith.com

A Self Care & Wanderlust Journal ― Candace Aliké Smith, Founded 2015

Mental Health and Aging

Hi there. Cherise here.

Just eight months shy of reaching her 100th birthday, my grandmother made her transition from this life to her eternal rest. Months later, I still find myself saying, “She really did die.”

Not that I thought she would live forever, but I did think she would live to see the 100th birthday she very much wanted to reach. Already the oldest living relative in our family, Grandmother dealt with diabetes, beat cancer, was wheeled away from COVID at the age of ninety-eight, and maintained perfect church attendance despite a pandemic and losing her eyesight. Grandmother outlived four husbands (three exes and one current) and two of her children. Death just didn’t seem likely when it came to Grandmother.

Grandmother’s death came a year after the loss of one son and less than two months before the passing of her youngest daughter. During…

View original post 1,103 more words

Advertisement
Blog Posts, Latest Updates, poetry, Previous Posts

Dear 30-Year-Old Me

Dear 30-year-old Me, Cherish the time you spend with that little girl and don’t become upset if your memories are different from hers. Let her know she is loved and valued and only responsible for her feelings and herself. As you watch her mature, know that she is developing into who she needs to be… Continue reading Dear 30-Year-Old Me

Blog Posts, Health and Wellness, Previous Posts

“W” is for Whole, Wonderful Womb

“W” is for Womb My first exposure to the connection between the womb and mood was when my mother was pregnant with my youngest brother. My sister had been born twenty-two months prior. For the first year or so, my sister would easily cry and was only comforted by our mother. She didn’t want to… Continue reading “W” is for Whole, Wonderful Womb

Blog Posts, Previous Posts, Relationships

So, You Take Offense? But How Far Though?

“I’m offended!” “You've offended me!” “That’s offensive!” No matter how we say it, I don’t think it captures what’s really going on. Offense is a personal thing. Some claim it after feeling individually attacked. Others allege its occurrence hoping to retreat from a difficult conversation as they point a finger at someone for saying something… Continue reading So, You Take Offense? But How Far Though?

Blog Posts, Health and Wellness, Previous Posts

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

A Self Care & Wanderlust Journal ― Candace Aliké Smith, Founded 2015

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Working in the mental health field for over 20 years has given me a front-row seat to many of the struggles those living with a mental health diagnosis endure. Whether clinically diagnosed or not, many contend with societal stigma, problems locating culturally competent providers, or finding affordable services. Often, I’d find myself listening to stories that could only be described as traumatic; leading to a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD.

What is PTSD?

The PTSD diagnosis is given to those who’ve endured a life-changing traumatic event. Let’s imagine there is a horrible car accident. For that one event there could be four types of individuals subjected to trauma: the witness, the victim, first responders, and later the therapists who may experience vicarious trauma due to assisting any of the three previously mentioned.

Depending on the individual, PTSD symptoms can be…

View original post 598 more words

Blog Posts, Previous Posts, Relationships

Putting Self Back in Self-Agency

First let me offer you some context. Recently, I took serious steps to move my side hustle further down the path toward entrepreneurship. In doing so, I completed coursework through eCornell for a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship. The classes have been phenomenal. Phenomenal! Not only have I learned new terms and information as a business… Continue reading Putting Self Back in Self-Agency