Art of Awareness Blog Hop

I was excited to read about the Art of Awareness blog hop that Lori Anderson was hosting, and knew immediately I wanted to participate.  After thinking it over, I decided to use anxiety awareness as my topic, and ordered the teal awareness bead from Heather Millican from Swoondimples. I chose the phrase "Just Breathe" for the bead, since that is something I remind myself often.

Most people don't know this, but for about the past 10 years I've struggled with anxiety.   Whenever I feel the symptoms start to creep up on me, I tell myself to "just breathe".  

Anxiety and depression, while common, are often seen as weaknesses.  Many would be very surprised to learn that even those who seem to have everything together--a wonderful family life, a good career, a cheerful personality--suffer silently from the thoughts and feelings that often plague them.  This doesn't mean any of us who deal with anxiety and/or depression are "crazy".  I like to think we're just wired a little differently.  After all, don't we all have something that makes us unique?

I decided to turn my "just breathe" bead (which I adore, by the way) into a bracelet, so that when I start to feel those anxious feelings creep up on me, I can look down and remind myself to step back and try to think calmly about whatever it is that's bothering me.  

This bracelet has some of my favorite colors--brown and the calming teal/blue/green colors that remind me of the ocean. It's often my "happy place" when I feel anxious.

I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this blog hop, and to share a little about myself.  Be sure to check out the rest of the entries!

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