NO WAY OUT

It was not until tonight that I realized “no one here gets out alive.”

Fleeing, escaping, and running away are not good answers. There is good and bad wherever you go.

The trick is managing your own head.

I played my playlist over and over during the past few weeks. I had to endure a weekend with my husband and brother-in-law in the country. It all seemed very middle class and, if somewhat dull, at least within the confines of everyday living.

HEADSPACE

In dealing with my head, I believe a change of environment is significant to perspective. For the mental health consumer, switching off settings can help avoid panic attacks, angst, and other symptoms.

FAMILY

There needs to be a balance of familiarity and novelty in environments. Some people think this isn’t always possible. I found, for myself, when in desperate straits for a change in surroundings and perspective, that looking out different windows in the apartment or changing up the room plan, or just moving from room to room periodically can help boredom in a pinch.

Going away for the weekend or hopping a plane to Somewheresville, USA, is even better.

SYMPTOMS

As you get older, symptoms get harder to handle, primarily if you’ve achieved the prize of living independently in the community with little professional intervention.

So, the weekend in the country? It was tough as a mother because of interactions. Just as a balance between the familiar and the strange is vital in gaining perspective, there has to be a balance of solitude and exchange for the mental health consumer.

STRUGGLING

The playlist is vital in feeding the head, as are visuals like TV and movies. Reading books, blogs and articles are suitable for the gray matter. If there are tasks and work to do, so much the better.

If you write blogs, feeding the head is paramount. If you are a consumer struggling with symptoms like catatonia and depression, a good diet for the leader gets the mental wheels turning and keeps them well oiled.

I love my flights into fantasy, my magic carpet rides. I struggle with demons anyway. Change of environment, a balance of interaction, music, visuals, and the written word are all part of what the Red Queen said-

“Feed your head, feed your head...”