Hearth & home is where the heart begins to HEAL
Mental health is a struggle for many so we help you create strategies and create a life of happiness through our expertise!
Depression… well why are we still depressed with so much research…
It’s a question I have asked myself over and over again! The medical field will always give an academia response! Well that is not always helpful! Also attending therapy is tough for so many reasons…
- For one you know you are on the clock and that makes it feel insensitive. It makes it feel you are just a dollar sign. (Understood we all need to make a living, I am in the field so I know but that’s the feeling for many adults/teens not children)
- When you see your therapist looking at the clock it tends to shut down the process.
It’s expensive, using organic natural medicine can be expensive as well. - Also it’s a place for someone to listen to you, validate you and guide you in creating tools.
- There is no magic, no quick fix, no medication that makes it go away. That is what the individual wants, is for it to go away!!!!
- Medication has so many downfalls and so many other side effects. It also does not work forever and some of it is addictive! How do we win this battle of depression!?!?
I have to disappoint you by saying that there will always be sad days but suffering from depression is crippling.
So it’s all about a combination of things but managing depression starts with US! There is no way around that, the motivation has to come from within US! A ROUTINE has to be created! Such as:
- Getting up every morning, taking a shower, brushing your teeth and having a warm herbal tea. Even if this is what happens for a few weeks.
- Then introducing uplifting music to your day versus silence. Starting a simple task: journaling, reading a book, painting, colouring, writing letters, or watching a lighthearted show.
- Getting outside for a walk among nature is extremely important. Feeling the fresh air on your skin, hearing the birds sing, the smell of the trees, the feel of the air on your skin, and getting your body to move.
- Healing your thoughts is so important and managing that song & dance we do with ourselves. It is important to navigate our thoughts, as they can dismantle friendships, working relationships and families. Getting control of those thoughts and filtering through what is accurate.
- Today, mediation is so important. It helps us quiet our minds so we can actually see what is going on around us.
- Looking at using vitamins such as; 5-HTP, Vitamin D, Magnesium, or *St. John’s Wort.
- Reading self help books along with attending therapy. (Will have some links below)
- It is so important to not smoke, use alcohol, marijuana, or other substances as it does trigger symptoms of depression.
- Herbal teas are essential and essentials oil in your home. Using crystals on you is extremely helpful as it holds your energy. Looking at what works for you and then implementing it into your daily life. Most important be with nature whenever you can and animals!
- Decrease in electronics such as; phones, TVs, computers and all these addictive tools! Pick up a magazines or book instead!!
Often times when we are experiencing a moment of depression, all of our views are under a microscope. We create a set of emotions that are amplified, dramatic, sensational towards a set of different scenarios. At these moments we can’t separate truth from fiction. We then lose friendships through making unreasonable decisions and unfortunately there will be those times that you will not be able to make amends. Not everyone will understand that you went through a moment of sabotaging everything in sight.
These types of situations stem from distrust created in your childhood. This is the beginning of where trauma is created. Many are not so fortunate to have had a blissful childhood. This is where you should have been protected and had an abundance of love. Often it is here the damage begins and where it leads to so many distorted thoughts. This is where many develop anxiety, depression, low self esteems, insecurities, self destructive behaviours and so forth. In saying all this…
In order to reach recovery, it needs multiple of layers. It will need a combination at times of psychotropic medications, counselling, mindfulness, yoga, vitamins, meditation, and essentially a treatment plan that works for you. This will help you towards becoming a healthy adult and one day, if this is your choice, to be a better parent! You need to rediscovery yourself, build self love, heal all wombs, be open to change and feedback!
Often times you have to look at creating a treatment plan that helps you heal. It can be built through meditation, yoga, journalling, writing, painting, mindfulness activities, adult colouring, volunteering and helping others. This list goes on but you have to find what will work for you and dedicate to your healing. Dedicate to changing the dance to a more positive outcome, as this is possible but takes a lot of work and overcoming our fears. The love you seek is through your well being. Needing to accept gratitude to begin healing depression. You most likely will always have those sad days just not daily. It is knowing to cope with that and being able to manage those days so it does not consume your months and years.
I hope that this blog will find you well! Below I will now list a few links to places I recommend and suggestions to tools:
- https://itsallaboutyou.ca (it has many different types of spiritual therapies, and medicine)
- https://www.whitelotusclinic.ca (Get trusted natural and nutritional treatments for hormone balance. Our focused practice offers supportive and compassionate care led by lab testing and research. Established in 2001, our licensed Naturopathic Doctors collectively offer many years of clinical experience)
- https://theherbalclinicanddispensary.com (Our Herbalists and Dispensary Assistants have in-depth knowledge of herbal medicine, including the optimal therapeutic uses of medicinal plants. We stock a very wide selection of medicinal herbs. Our herbs are of the highest quality. We source cultivated organic or wildcrafted herbs whenever possible and we try to support local farmers)
Links to useful products:
Dance of anger click this link o go to the book directly
Anger is something we feel. It exists for a reason and always deserves our respect and attention. We all have a right to everything we feel—and certainly our anger is no exception.”Anger is a signal and one worth listening to,” writes Dr. Harriet Lerner in her renowned classic that has transformed the lives of millions of readers. While anger deserves our attention and respect, women still learn to silence our anger, to deny it entirely, or to vent it in a way that leaves us feeling helpless and powerless. In this engaging and eminently wise book, Dr. Lerner teaches both women and men to identify the true sources of anger and to use it as a powerful vehicle for creating lasting change. For decades, this book has helped millions of readers learn how to turn their anger into a constructive force for reshaping their lives. With a new introduction by the author, The Dance of Anger is ready to lead the next generation.)
Dance of connection Click this link to go to the book directly
(The key problem in relationships, particularly over time, is that people begin to lose their voice. Despite decades of assertiveness training and lots of good advice about communicating with clarity, timing, and tact, women and men find that their greatest complaints in marriage and other intimate relationships are that they are not being heard, that they cannot affect the other person, that fights go nowhere, that conflict brings only pain. Although an intimate, long-term relationship offers the greatest possibilities for knowing the other person and being known, these relationships are also fertile ground for silence and frustration when it comes to articulating a true self. And yet giving voice to this self is at the center of having both a relationship and a self. Much as she did in THE MOTHER DANCE, Lerner will approach this rich subject with tales from her personal life and clinical work, inspiring and teaching readers to speak their own truths to the most important people in their lives.)
Dance of Fear Click this link to go to the book directly
(Unhappiness, says bestselling author Harriet Lerner, is fueled by three key emotions: anxiety, fear, and shame. They are the uninvited guests in our lives. When tragedy or hardship hits, they may become our constant companions. Anxiety can wash over us like a tidal wave or operate as a silent thrum under the surface of our daily lives. With stories that are sometimes hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking, Lerner takes us from “fear lite” to the most difficult lessons the universe sends us. We learn: how a man was “cured in a day” of the fear of rejection – and what we can learn from his story, how the author overcame her dread of public speaking when her worst fears were realized, how to deal with the fear of not being good enough, and with the shame of feeling essentially flawed and inadequate, how to stay calm and clear in an anxious, crazy workplace, how to manage fear and despair when life sends a crash course in illness, vulnerability, and loss, how “positive thinking” helps – and harms, how to be our best and bravest selves, even when we are terrified and have internalized the shaming messages of others.)
I hope this blog finds you all well and that you are able to take something that will be useful for you.
“Don’t rush anything. When the time is right, it’ll happen. A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow.”
Love LucyLu
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Depression is a life journey… tomorrow will be a better day…
Ah the start of a new year always leaves me contemplating on past situations.
I dread living in the past or thinking of the past as it often brings me to tears. This is always the moment that I realize I still have a lot of healing to do and that is okay.
I encourage others and have all the right answers for those I work with or volunteer with but often for ourselves… NO IDEA WHY… does it not work? WELL, unfortunately for YOU and ME… it is not that it does not work, it is because we are stuck in our own victimization for multiple of reasons.
At this moment I truly encourage all to deal with their childhood traumas, past struggles, traumatic events, mental health and so forth… versus hoping it will heal on its own. The earlier we do this work it makes your life journey that much easier. Healing our energy levels and soothing our soul, is so refreshing, gives you freedom and a chance to enjoy you💗
The hardest lesson for me from time to time… is I am expecting this wonderful friendship or family member to be the person I imagine, even though I know this is not how it works! In my own personal journey it has been humans that have created these moments of mistrust and disappointments. I expect this from the human race as we are imperfect and that is why forgiveness is key. (ON A SIDE note: in the animal kingdom survival and forgiveness is key in that world as well! Interesting FACT!)
Family is not perfection, it has it’s own healing and life journey’s to conquer! Forgiveness allows you to enjoy your family continuously!
Let me state I have actually done a lot of work on myself through therapy, meditation, yoga, essential oils and so forth… it all works together and YES there will be those days or months or years that you just get caught in that cycle of trauma. That is okay, as our tool box of strategies will pull you out of that dark hole. Once you believe in yourself and love YOU that gets you through those dark moments.
This is the song and dance we do from time to time and what helps me get through it is the confidence in myself and my positive self talk.
During these moments: I step outside in my bare feet and step on the cold floor and feel all the sensations. I then affirm the love I have to be alive, to see the blue skys, to hear the sounds of the birds… this grounds me. In this moment I am able to shift my thoughts to positivity and use my strategies to get me out of this gloomy feeling.
I MYSELF have many disappointments in all areas, my own deep traumas but I know they do not define me but are my journey and success to overcoming those moments and individuals!
We live in a place where there are triggers everywhere, so acknowledging those feelings as I have done today, deal with those feelings and move along for the day.
Today I decided to share within the moment, of my sadness and how I work it through without much of the details, which I will share with you… along the way of our journey together.
My line of work was no mistake for me and I made an oath to aways do this work through love and not through my own experiences, as no one situation is the same. We may connect through a similar event but the strategy and feelings will be different.
Though I have my studies, my own struggle through this life journey is what helped me connect genuinely and try to understand the walks of others. It has made me be able to always check my own emotions surfacing when working with young people and to listen to their stories.
Never underestimate your knowledge, wisdom and impact you have of those that cross your path. A caring gesture truly goes a long way.
The strategies today were simple:
- The earth was my grounding, positive affirmations and meditation music.
- A show of the jungle and connecting to the sounds of the animal kingdom helped me smile and know it will be a better day tomorrow.
- Reading blogs of others on WordPress helped me connect with others with similar stories.
- A favourite cup of coffee, some banana bread and alone time.
- I placed all my diffusers on with lavender, 🍋, 🍊, and bergamot.
I hope this finds someone having a sad day and that these strategies may help you through today!
“Everyday brings new discoveries” unknown
“My future days of this weekend: have a daily walk, take a photo of nature and smile at a stranger! “ Lucylu
Calmness is a huge gift. And once you master it, you will be able to respond in a useful way to every difficult situation that decides to walk into your heart!
With Love 💕 ,
Lucylu
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Reflect, Connect, Laugh and help others…
Christmas is here, lights are bright, trees are festive, fires are burning and the smells of chestnuts are everywhere! December is my happiest month and my saddest month.
I love seeing a fresh new snow fall…. it is so beautiful to watch from the bay window and it’s flakes fall onto the tips of the evergreen trees. You hear the birds chirping in the early mornings and you feel the crisp air on your swollen cheeks. The tip of your nose slightly red… just like rudolf! The homes have beautiful decorations, flowers, and props. It just makes you smile as everywhere you go looks so festive. The streets of downtown Toronto are full of people, tourists and seasonal activities! The distillery has the Christmas market and the decorations are stunning. There are such unique shops with artisans creative work that make such great gifts. The smell of hot chocolate is everywhere you walk. You see parents, children, couples and friends stopping to enjoy a drink and some food. You hear chatter and laughter and all is so bright!
“It is a gift to see so many families wrapped up in each other during this holiday season!”
I sit with my eyes close and absorb all the sounds, smells, and conversations. Everyone around gives away free smiles, small conversations and helpful gestures. It is such a beautiful time of the year!
It’s a time many connect with their faith, celebrate and give to their communities! It’s a time of gathering with friends and families. You share food, drinks and memories with all those you love. You take a moment to stop and actually enjoy/share time with those you love. It’s a time we stop work, distractions and actually listen! Children/ youth are playing, sharing and so excited to be around their family & friends. They notice the adults are attentive and not stressed! Music is playing Christmas classics and it’s such a beautiful ring tone to my ears! Christmas movies are on the TV and the Nutcracker is in the theatres again! Christmas has always been a time for families to get together and make new memories.
Though in saying all of the above… December/January is some of the saddest months! As I know there are many people suffering and during these moments becomes a reminder of what they are missing. I have mentioned to you all, I have worked as a Child and Youth Practitioner… so throughout these 27 years I have seen the sadness that is hidden in Ontario.
This article is to provide tools and suggestions to help cope through any difficult moments this holiday season can bring up… and a reminder for those who are much more fortunate to help others.
During these months of December/January is when many children are feeling abandoned as they witness others with families and enjoying dinners at different homes. There are youth in the system that have families that they spend time with but this leaves the homes empty for the others left behind. There are elders that do not have families around anymore, lost loved ones, significant others have passed. We have individuals living on the streets that witness the festivities which reminds them of their situations/loses/loneliness. This is also a time that many services give out meals, clothing, sleeping bags, gifts, groceries, toys and the list just grows! This allows so many individuals to get through the winter months. Please take the time to read these strategies if you are in need, if you are not… please be kind to those in great moods or not… as we do not actually know their struggle! So your smile could actually be saving a life!
Strategies below:
- Complete a family activity called Worry Dolls. Create a decorated box that will fit wooden popsicle sticks. Now you will need 5 popsicles, some yarn, and a black pen/marker. Some pieces of felt. Create each doll to relate to all of your worries and on the back of your popsicles name your worries. You then place this box under your pillow during the night to help take away your worries. Every night you tell your worry dolls all that has bothered you throughout the day.
- If you are struggling please call the suicide hotline at 1-833-456-4566 or TEXT: 45645 Also here is the website which has other numbers that you can access:
- https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/
- Acknowledge your emotions and book a therapy session online or in person. Organize this ahead of time and do not ignore the emotions before it becomes unmanageable.
- Journal your thoughts, write a love letter to yourself or mail a letter to yourself. The release of words is so powerful.
- Listen to light calm music.
- Get outside, move your body, take a break from screen time and take some baths.
- Engage in deep breathing techniques
- Make amends with friends and families. Pick your battles and recognize is this fight worth it?
- If things become unbearable, go to the CAMH emergency hospital. Located at 250 College Street and open 24 hours a day. Their number is 416-979-6885.
- Link to breathing strategies:
Sincerely with love,
LucyLu
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When life throws you 🍋’s ….
Nieces/Nephews make your soul shine and your heart heal through their innocence…
Hi everyone I am actually going to share a personal story with you all… a bit melancholy, heavy hearted but with a peaceful ending!
Since I was a child I dreamed of getting married and having 4 children, YES, 4 children! Well I conceived NONE!
At the beginning of my 20’s: I entered into the field of Child and Youth Practitioner. I have always wanted to be a positive influence on our youth of the world. I feel grateful in having been able to make an impact on so many youth throughout my 27 years in this Field of work. I have no regrets… ever… I have always gone beyond my job and helped in many different ways. I did this work from love and came from the mind frame that you should think of these youth as your own. Of course always keeping boundaries still in place. I decided to wait to have children of my own, as I wanted to give all my time into helping our communities, such as; volunteering my time, going the extra mile with youth I worked with and being reachable off work times. It is how I see the work and still believe when you decide to work with children and youth it has to go beyond the job itself. I have too often met people in my line work that I believe should have never entered into this field. You have to love the work and at times it comes with a sacrifice. That is my opinion and always will be.
So then the day came that I decided I am ready to have my own family so I begun teaching my philosophy to other Child and Youth Practitioners to dedicate their time through love! So I could slowly let go but not completely!
Well, life does not always go as you plan! I will say this… I had a true love in my teens that lasted for almost 10 years but things got messy and I got my heart broken. Unfortunately, the things that young man did, were not forgivable…. we all have these stories! It is a part of our journey! This is the time I decided to be on my own and dedicate my time to community!
Then I arrive at my early 30’s… I begun a new relationship that lasted for 5 years. Now…. this relationship after the first year… in my heart I already knew… it will not work but I went against all my spiritual energies. I tried to make it work…. why…. you say? Well I got caught in the need to have a family, I wanted a family and how am I going to have a family if I do not make this relationship work!!!!! My biological clock was ticking loudly… I started to panic… I want to have children! Well I had to leave that relationship and in the end I won’t stay with someone just because…. so now what do I do? I am now 35 years old and my heartbreak begins.
I did meet someone that I love and am still with today. I had made a decision I am not going to rush into this relationship because I want kids, as relationships are a process and sometimes it just clicks and other times it takes time. So when we begin to try to have children I was now 40, my thoughts were I should start by connecting with a fertility clinic. Only because it was not that common in the generation before me to have kids so late. For me… this is where I went wrong!!
Well the process of doing fertility was not something I ever imagined and I had no idea how this works. I did ask friends about it but it was not something that was really spoken about.
Well, I learned on my own… and my community of supports became very small.
Here is how it begins: I would be scheduled an appointment for 7am but only would be seen by 9am, IMAGINE that, they packed as many women as they could within that time frame. How do you get to work on time? You have to come to these appointments once a month and you become anxious all the time.Well I did not do well at all in this entire process. I felt like a cattle waiting to be poked by so many strangers and during the process these nurses do not explain anything. When I would ask questions it is explained so quickly and you feel uncomfortable to state that you are not understanding the information given. I was so overwhelmed and felt so alone. Also these environments were so cold, robotic and had a lack of compassion. I am aware today things are better and there is a lot more support being offered to women who have trouble conceiving.
Well as the time passes and no baby, I was now turning 43. I was emotionally drained, depressed and angry… so I stopped everything. I decided if it happens on its own it will happen. I ponder about that decision….. I am not sure if it was the right one but for my mental health it had to be.
On a s quick side note, our world is dedicated to families and parents. Everywhere you look it is about the ideal family unit: in commercials, holidays, statutory holidays, news, movies, radios, within your circle…. if you have no children, WELL, you start to feel like an outcast. Think about this for a moment… imagine walking in those shoes and now pay attention to the world around you…
It would not be a very kind world for those who were not able to conceive and wanted a family. The reminders are everywhere as you try to come to terms with this information or choice.
The topic of adoption, WELL, my partner is not open to that option and that choice you can not force unto others. I also am not going to end my relationship because of that!
Also your intimacy completely changes, you only want to engage in sex when it is time to ovulate. Oh boy, if you miss having sex during ovulation….. you are so angry and hatred builds! As now this is being forced and being timed. This has a huge impact on your relationship and you start to blame each other. Within your own relationship you begin to feel isolated. This is when I started to build anxiety, depression and isolation.
I would mention my feelings to friends and family but everyone goes quiet or do not have much to say. The older generation kept saying…. “ Ah, do not worry, you will get pregnant. You are young.” That would be the end of that conversation.
I also discovered that some friends had gone through this but this was a taboo topic, so you were pretty much left on your own to figure it all out.
The women who initially struggled but fertility becomes a success, WELL, their intentions are good but their sympathy is the hardest. As they feel they have a right to share all of their experiences with you and let you know they understand and can relate.
What those individuals do not understand is that those feelings become different as joy, love and peace now kicks in and that changes everything. FACT they were able to conceive a baby…. I am not! No one can understand unless they are walking the same shoes as I am! It is no ones fault but a tough walk!
I was left to wonder why would this happen to me… I did become bitter, envious and full of anger for some time. I never really knew what these feelings felt like and boy are they ugly. I did not like the person I was becoming at all.
Well I don’t have an answer for that and nobody ever will. It will always just be unknown and for me my body failed me. I have come to accept this and have learned to love life without a biological family.
What stays in my head are what people did say: HERE is the LIST of things said from too many people; both to myself and my partner!
Statements were: Well, what fertility drugs did you do? Well maybe you didn’t try hard enough. Well you guys have been fighting a lot. Well why don’t you guys just adopt. Well I know how you feel as I went through the same feelings. If you really want kids then you shouldn’t be selfish and think of adopting.
Lucy you gotta try everything to conceive or you will regret it. There is no other feeling like it. HELLO, of course I would have no idea I didn’t conceive and I was trying. Famous statement: this is a miracle baby, and GOD has blessed me with this child. They never took a moment to acknowledge who they are saying these statements in front of… I have come to realize when people become parents, they truly became wrapped in a dome bubble! The rest of us must watch what we say about their children… I am sure I would have been the same in some ways.
OR statements as these: you just do not get it as you don’t have kids….. no shit sherlocks! I even came to know that my partner was told; well get a younger girl, if you leave her you can still get a child…. I told him I didn’t want to know who said that to him, as I’d HATE these people who I most likely have fed at some point. IMAGINE it’s assumed that the women is the issue when in fact you just actually do not know that. This part really hurt my feelings and I just thought, wow humanity can be cruel…. well look at all the suffering all over the world and what people have done in war… truly it should be no shock.
See what I mean by, you are left to mourn your loss on your own! Unfortunately, this experience has isolated me and I tend to spend more time alone. This actually made me realize that we live in a superficial world, most people do not care and you gotta be your own best-friend, always!
My heartbreak became about humanity as I have always gone out of my way to be there for others but that is just who I am. I am glad to be that person and have accepted that not everyone will be that way. I am not going to change that about me as I like that about ME. I also know kindness in the end wins and sometimes for the most part… really people do not know how their friends/family are really doing. Hence the rise of suicide, we do not pay attention or listen enough.
Lastly, why you feel like an outcast, well you are no longer invited to parties that include kids or any birthday parties unless it’s your immediate family…. it would have been nice to have had the option to attend or not attend as some years were easier then others. This all created some detachment and distance. Today, I am nor here or there with attending these events.
In sharing all this does not mean I do not adore my friends and family, as I do and always will. It just opened up my eyes and made me tougher to battle disappointments! I have also forgiven all these hurts and let it all go. I never confronted anyone as it was not intentional and I concentrated on me.
On the positive, my sister and sister-in-law all have kids. So I did get nieces and nephews that I adore to the moon and back!!! I have 1 niece and 3 nephews. I spend as much time as I can and attend all of their events! My sister-in-law is a wonderful soul as I get to tuck the kids into bed, help them with their homework, watch movies with them, attend their shows, when they were little change them, help educate them, and it has been a gift to be so involved! My sister, well that goes without saying, she is my little sister and would have no choice but to have me involved!!! She had her own struggles so I do not invade any special moments! This is her first child so it’s a little different but he is the most precious little munchkin! So I have been fortunate and you have to find every moment as a grateful moment! There are a few others in my life with kids that have me involved with no expectations! I look forward to guiding them, loving them and seeing them grow into their characters! I will always be here for them and involved in their lives!
So the good stuff… How I recovered….
To all the support systems please remember this…
- Offer to accompany your friend to the clinic
- Pop by randomly to see how they are doing
- Listen to their story and make more time to be around.
- Have them involved in your children’s lives but also respect if this is difficult for them.
- Send your friend a card, give them encouragement.
- Make them not feel they are alone. Let them know you care.
- Be kind with your words and acknowledge their struggles.
Coping skills I created to get through this heart break so I could live a happy life:
- I learned to depend on myself and I met new people with similarities. I embraced those who reached out to me. My longest friend Joe, who is my best friend, spent the most time with me. My friend Steve always remembers to take me for car rides and my friend Jen well she is a great listener! They were a part of my recovery, they just do not know it!
- I joined a yoga studio and embraced stillness! I found that movements help heal energy and fill your soul.
- I implemented mindfulness and gratitude everyday. I wake up, go outside, plant my feet and state three things I am grateful for. This triggers positivity throughout your day.
- I meditate daily and listen to meditation music every night.
- I eat healthy and try to put all good things into my machine!
- Seeing a natural-path doctor who introduced me to homeopathy remedies called rubimeds (This therapy helps to connect the mind (psycho) and body (soma) allowing our unconscious emotions to be brought up to our conscious awareness and processed and moved out of our bodies.)
- Involved in journey therapy where you unleash your emotions and move forward.
- Essential oils, teas and vitamins. That I have shared throughout my blogs!
- I did a lot of self discovery through retreats and trips by myself.
- I built a stronger foundation with my partner and we now communicate our feelings and we are friends first. I am thankful for that growth. We were able to get through so many obstacles by standing by each other at the end of it all.
- Dedication to self improvements and self love!
I have always struggled with moments of depression throughout my life and more recently with anxiety. I made a treatment plan for myself as healing and happiness has to come from you. You have to be invested in yourself! I still use lots of my coping strategies and have moments that I get sad about not having children but I have recovered and accepted this reality.
I am learning to live a different life by meeting new friends, older friends, and being open to new things. I enjoy me through writing, sharing, painting, scrapbooking, travelling, reading, making cards, volunteering, working and so much more. I learned I am important with or without children. I learned I need to live my best life and want all my friends to be involved in my life, as well as my family. Allow yourself to cry when you need too, accept your emotions and then move forward. I hope this story reaches those who need it!! Please read this entry of mine with kindness!
Here are some links to my clinic where I see my natural path, and journey therapist: https://itsallaboutyou.ca
- Regarding info on rubimed http://biomedicine.com
- Regarding mindfulness http://positivepsychology.com
- Regarding gratitude http://apartmenttherapy.com
“Everyday brings new discoveries, so take a moment to enjoy them!”
Below add your info and stay in contact with me, if you need support please leave a comment! If you know someone who would benefit from receiving letters please let me know!
With love,
LucyLu
Below is a link to products, books on fertility through amazon. Please take a look as you may find some of these products useful.
//rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?ref=qf_sp_asin_til&t=lucycakes200d-20&m=amazon&o=15&p=8&l=as1&IS1=1&asins=0062326031&linkId=cbc5392ff6a9af427838269a14fa7e2d&bc1=ffffff<1=_blank&fc1=333333&lc1=0066c0&bg1=ffffff&f=ifr“>https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=fertility&rh=n:916520,n:942402&dc&qid=1576089108&rnid=5264023011&ref=sr_nr_n_5&linkCode=ll2&tag=lucycakes200d-20&linkId=e39f5ad75bdd6f99da207f76b9f8ec64&language=en_CA
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Love through essential oils… but first coffee…
Hmm… first a cup of coffee with the design of a heart… to me signifies 💗 and loyalty.
I have been sharing with you all my love for coffee and essential oils…. today I am going to speak about the essential oils I use and their benefits.
Essential oils have beautiful aromas, are from our earth and have medical benefits. Herbalists have been around for centuries, in some centuries they were even accused of being witches and often burned to death.
Many individuals are wary of implementing herbs, and essential oils that have so many natural benefits but we are more then willing to take pharmaceutical drugs, that often come with side effects and can be highly addictive.
Did you know this earth has created an abundance of remedies for all of us to use? Here is an example, prior to me jumping into which herbs help with anxiety and depression…
The poppy flower which produces poppy seeds and has been harvested for thousands of years. The poppy seed has many natural uses: it’s where we get our pain medicine from, used in foods, opium and honey mixture to calm crying babies are a few of its remedies. Yes…. the seeds can be manipulated into heroin through a traditional, labor-intensive method of obtaining the latex, which is to scratch (“score”) the immature seed pods (fruits) by hand; the latex leaks out and dries to a sticky yellowish residue that is later scraped off and dehydrated… which is then made into heroin….. AGAIN…. this comes from our earth!!!! Which actually makes our pain medicine such; morphine.
So here are essential oils that I use in a diffuser and as home remedies:
- Lavender: to calm emotional anxiety, take a bath with two drops of lavender and two drops of Linaloe wood. Place 5 drops of lavender on a cotton ball and place in a small cloth bag, when feeling anxious take six deep breaths while smelling your lavender cloth bag. Add 10 drops of lavender in a diffuser while you are sleeping.
- Eucalyptus: to lift depression and bring a sense of release, vaporize 3 drops Eucalyptus and 3 drops of Peppermint. (You may boil water with these drops, place in a bowl and a towel over your head and inhale/exhale for 10 breaths) To clear cluttered thoughts , take a bath with 3 drops of Eucalyptus and 5 drops of Frankincense.
- Bergamont: to ease anxiety, take a bath with 3 drops of Bergamont, and 4 drops of Neroli. Place 4 drops of Bergamont, 5 drops of lavender in a diffuser as you sleep.
- Ylang Ylang: when you feel anxious or withdrawn, take a bath with 2 drops of Ylang Ylang and 4 drops of Mandarin. Special Blend: to lift moods and ease depression, 2 drops of Ylang Ylang, 4 drops of Benzoin Resinoid, and 4 drops of Tangerine in a carrier oil such as; Apricot Kernel oil (4 TSP) and blend together. You can then use this on your body such as, temples, wrists, knees, feet or stomach.
- German Chamomile: helps heal mental and emotional stress, take a bath with 1 drop of German Chamomile and 4 drops of Lavender. Special Blend: When you are feeling extremely anxious/nervousness mix 2 drops of German Chamomile, 4 drops of Linaloe Wood, 4 drops of Lavender in a carrier oil (Apricot Kernel oil, 4 TSP)
- The above mentioned oils: Frankincense: brings peace, balance, spirituality, and helps increase self-esteem. Tangerine: opens the heart, helps lighten mental overload and helps with depression. Peppermint: improves concentration, enhances positivity, and energy. Neroli: peace, harmony, eases insomnia and calms restlessness. Mandarin: boosts creativity, eases depression, and helps support your immune.
Also there are many different uses of essential oils. You can add essential oils to a carrier oil and be becomes a massage oil. You can add them to your creams. Many help different symptoms with the right special blends. I will share a variety of their uses throughout my different blogs!
Direct links to carrier oils to make blends
Direct links to different essential oils
Direct links to diffusers and these all make amazing gifts
I hope you all have a wonderful week full of love, laughter and joy!
“The only thing that will make you happy is being happy with who you are, and not who people think you are”
With lots of love,
Lucylu
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The world is yours to explore…
I enjoy watching the water below a bridge, seeing the consistent flow of water travelling among trees, shrubs and rocks. I have always found this to be calming and relaxing. I enjoy the sound of water and seeing the change of colours through the changes from day to night.
It is important to embrace what makes you happy, calm and at peace. I enjoy being among nature and embrace these moments every chance I can. Honestly… I am able to genuinely allow the views of nature to sip in, when I am travelling. This is when I am able to grasp each moment with purity. I am able to see, hear and touch with all my senses. I don’t miss anything as I am not distracted with thoughts, work, tasks, events and so forth.
It is truly breathtaking when you are able to enjoy what is in front of you without distractions. There are moments I can clearly hear the sounds of the birds, crickets, a cat meowing and the sounds of the rooster. These moments are extremely soothing to the mind, body and soul.
We often do not take the time to see what helps soothe us and we all should. I invite you to take this moment and think about what helps create a smile, laughter, create inner peace and help calm your nervous system. In mindfulness the goal is to feel the moment by moment as it unfolds.
Here are a few suggestions to help open up your senses:
1. What’s your routine? Do you walk/drive the same route to school or work? Try changing one of these routines and experience the feeling. What was good about it or what feelings did the change evoke.
2. Pick an object such as; picking a flower, a rock, a pinecone, or leaf. Take a moment to smell it, feel it, touch it, and describe what senses you felt.
3. This should then help you to pay attention to your surroundings. Take note of what you see and how you feel.
4. Listen to the sounds of the birds as you walk outside. As you pass by flowers, bushes or trees enjoy the smell that often times you haven’t noticed. Notice the sky and watch the clouds move. At sundown take a moment to go outside and watch the sunset.
5. Have a daily walk with yourself, a friend, a partner or dog. Enjoy how you feel, conversations you are having, and the laughters you are sharing.
6. Get outside and exercise. Go for a walk, run, biking, or hikes. Enjoy a picnic, dancing among the trees, or swimming in the lakes.
7. Go to the park and take up a new hobby such as; blogging, reading, knitting, painting, or colouring. Doing fun tasks among nature brings out extraordinary emotions.
8. Take pictures of the changing seasons and document what you notice.
These strategies help create a balanced routine and decreases symptoms of anxiety. It helps create a sense of gratitude, love and appreciation for your life.
Recommended essential oils to help manage your stress and anxieties are: Patchouli which is produced in India, Indonesia and Philippines and Bergamot which is produced in Italy. A few uses are taking a bath with 2 drops of Patchouli and 4 drops Bergamot. Also place 5 drops of both Patchouli and Bergamot in a diffuser, which helps create a calming state in your home and helps with sleep.
Direct link to recommended essential oils and good quality
Enjoy your day and some of these recommendations! Please let me know how it works for you and send me an email with any questions you may have!
“ Every day I look for ways to express my appreciation” “Peace begins within, if you are not peaceful inside, the world will be chaotic.”
With love,
Lucylu
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My cup of coffee tells you a bit about me…..
I like my coffee a good dark roast, mocha colour with no sweetness! That explains this life journey at certain moments, at times not a lot of sweetness comes with it!
I have worked as a Child and Youth Practitioner for the last 27 years. That is a life time of stories to share with you. I wanted to share my expertises in mental health from the perspective of a frontline worker watching from the outside of an individuals journey in.
I also have my own road with many curbs, hills and bends. It takes many tries, tools, strategies to help maintain a happy human!
We are living in a moment in time with so much BUZZ to it, so much NOISE, that at times your mind feels so CONFUSED without having even walked out the front door of your home. We all need the tools to help quiet our mind even for a minute! Well that is my hope in creating this journey! I will have many goodies to share with you all in this new exciting travel with you…… which is something I love to do!
The interesting fact about this picture is; it occurred this summer on a road trip out to the St. Lawrence River. I set out with my partner, whom I have had a disconnect from for the last 6 months, for a variety of reasons, on a side note….. commitment as anything else in this life journey takes a lot of work! It’s in this picture and road trip that I found my smile, laughter, and the child inside of me again! The wings to me represent nature, growth, and the peeling into a new skin! When you feel the world is lonesome: think of what you are grateful for in that moment. It helps us to see hope and get through another day!
I am grateful for the power of thoughts, words and writing. Welcome to my adventure and please join the ride with me!
With love Lucylu!
Being a teen….. 🤔 hmmm…
Well, I vividly remember being a teen and it feels like this was yesterday. The teen years are so complicated, confusing and frustrating! Teens are discovering their identity, creativity, political views, moral stands, exploring their character and so much more! And then… they have a full time job, which is school, where they now meet new adults in charge of them.
Teens now have academics to discover, explore interests, embrace what they are good at, challenge the topics they find difficult… OH and to BOOT get high marks… OH and think of a career! Wow at 14 years old that is actually a lot.
Today, they also have social media to upkeep with and self brand themselves appropriately! THINK for a moment… as a TEEN did we act appropriately, at all times, or better YET what would the public say? In many of the earlier generations it was the community judging us, at such a critical, vulnerable age! Today it is the world.
When teens tell me today, “ Ah adults just do not understand!” I always get a AHAH moment… WHY?… well cause I never believed that adults tried to understand!
This did not happen because parents want to be difficult, or make life HARD for their youth but it is definitely a generation CLASH! At this moment I imagine the waves crashing against the rocks, as it is that dramatic, the impact this has on teens.
Today, teens have so many different issues from when I was growing up. I have often caught myself saying, “ We didn’t do this when we were teens, this generation is a mess.” Well, UNTRUE! All generations have had their ups and downs but what is actually happening is we do not understand the issues going on with this current generation.
So I ask us all to be a positive part of our teens community, to help them ease into this complicated stage in their life.
Learn their world, that means the music, their interest, struggles, LINGO, understand social media and so much more. Be aware of what they are into, teach them about their bodies, managing emotions, help build their confidence, teach them self love, and most important be patient. TOUGH job… but it is very rewarding as well.
My greatest advice, is provide structure to your child since birth, expectations with flexibility, understand their characters, be reasonable and be involved. Do not avoid conversations about sex, teach them about their bodies, relationships, drugs, attending parties, and mental health.
THIS is where it gets TOUGH… BRACE yourself!!
Also, YES, this is something we should be discussing, what is PORN…. I will inform you most of our teens are watching PORN from a young age and getting the wrong messages about sexuality. Our young men, their first exposure to their sexuality is through PORN videos. Our young girls feel pressured to perform, as the women in the PORN industry! I have had many young women speak to me about these concerns. I know these are tough topics, but they must be spoken about. YOU the parents need to become aware! DO NOT SWEAT it I will be recommending two books you should read!
Your child needs all the tools to be successful! If YOU do not teach them, the internet will, or friends and not always getting the correct INFO! Well my dear friends, GUESS what… the uncomfortable topic has come to an end!
Two books I recommend: Girls and Sex (21st century struggles) by Peggy Orenstein, Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent, and Navigating the New Masculinity by Peggy Orenstein. Direct link to purchase this amazing book!
Direct link to Boys and sex the new ways of teen hookups
Direct link to Girls and Sex and navigating the 21st century
“That’s the nature of being a parent, Sabine has discovered. You’ll love your children far more than you ever loved your parents, and – in the recognition that your own children cannot fathom the depth of your love – you come to understand the tragic, unrequited love of your own parents. “
With Love,
LucyLu
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When I see a bench…
Well, we all know that this is not always the case, there are moments when we wake up with ANXIETY and oh boy does that change the day! So lets talk about anxiety; at times it can definitely make us over-react, have negative self-talk, feel anxious, nervous, uncomfortable, uneasy, isolate ourselves, worry, make tons of assumptions and this list just continues to grow as the day proceeds. WOW, in saying all this, out loud it makes you realize how tough ANXIETY can be. So before I continue I want to TELL you, please be KIND to yourself and realize living with anxiety is by far an easy task. Hey, if this is you, well of course you wake up exhausted! You are dealing with an invisible struggle, that our world is at times unkind about. We live in a time that states to us all that we must be HAPPY, well, that is not always so easy to do. With social media always lurking, RIGHT, it even makes it that much harder. I don’t know about you but social media always paints such a pretty picture, which influences our thought’s at the beginning of our day.
Today, this is an added stressor for too many of our young people, they have a lot more pressures to deal with and this is a consistent reminder of how unperfected their life really is. Today… I am glad I didn’t grow up with social media mainly because it eliminated one less problem to worry about! As the journey of life is a beautiful one but not an easy one!
This is the fun part, I share with you some strategies: take a break from all social media platforms, start with an hour, two hours, 4 hours, 8 hours and then a whole day. Pick up a good book, call a friend, go for a walk, get outside, watch a show/movie, take a bath in Epson salt and lavender oil, listen to meditation music, try yoga, do some breathing techniques, colouring and paint. Here are some suggestions to increase happiness: do things that increases your happiness, get sleep, eat well, exercise, forgive yourself, enjoy the small moments, do not compare yourself to others, and give to others your kindness/compliments/help.
I ask you all to try some of these strategies. These strategies help calm the brain and nervous system. It helps distract your thoughts and helps your mind to begin to feel positive, which in fact decreases your anxious feelings. The key is you have to try, make the changes and see which ones work. I continue to make changes all the time and I have become use to change. I do not like change but I love watching the positive growth more. My goal in this life is to achieve happiness and I am now willing to try anything that helps to make me feel better! I encourage you to start somewhere… at least you start. All change truly starts with us and it takes a lot of work. ARE YOU NOT WORTH IT, the answer is YES you are!
Direct link to meditation tools!
https://youtu.be/_W7YI378qvQ a suggested meditation link. “Music comes from an icicle as it melts, to live again as spring water” -Henry Williamson
Music is medicine for your soul, take a moment and try some calming melodies throughout your day!
With love,
Lucylu
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Online Counselling, personalized self help journal and coaching
Hi There, one hour session is 65.00, a personalized journal is 20.00 and coaching sessions are 25.00 for 30 mins. I have been a Child and Youth Practitioner for the last 27 years and am currently branching on my own.
C$65.00
