What are you Thankful for? 🦃

It's finally November the month of giving THANKS! Although we should be giving thanks everyday for everything we have. I'm surely thankful for many things that have changed and allowed me to grow. This past year has been one of my hardest years personally. Not only was I struggling at work but I was struggling at home. It's almost like I gave all that I could at work and had nothing left at home. When I didn't have the energy to do anything or want to do anything I knew something was wrong. Even my husband knew that this was not my typical behavior. I decided to go see a doctor. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. Pretty much knew that's probably what I had but not wanting to admit it to myself.

This is where the major struggle began. Trying to find a psychiatrist and a therapist was not easy. There was no one accepting new patients anywhere, not even tele-med. I would cry to my husband saying I want to get help and I can't find anyone who will help me. I finally found a psychiatrist and therapist almost 4 months later. The doctor prescribed me medications but it took me a month to even consider taking it. I've personally experienced watching someone who was over medicated by their doctor and it was like they were stone cold. No emotion...nothing. After speaking to several friends and family I gave it a try. Now it wasn't smooth sailing, the first medication gave me horrible migraines and I lost my appetite. I lost almost 20lbs in a month. So we tried something else that was helping but needed to get the dosage right.

My next struggle, the psychiatrist I was seeing I didn't feel was really listening to me. I would tell her things and at times she would just tell me to deal with it. I was in shock that she would tell me that. Thankfully I had found an amazing therapist who when I told her what was happening she referred me to a psychiatrist she knows. The moment I left her office I made the appt to see him. When I saw him I literally called my husband afterwards and cried. I told him I found someone who listened to me and what I was going through. With his help and my therapist I have been doing better. Last month, October I could see myself slipping back into that depression little by little. It's frustrating because now that I'm aware of what's going on it's like I see myself and I'm yelling get up Jillian, go do this Jillian, and I can't. Talking to the therapist and psychiatrist it seemed to be a dosage issue because I had been doing so well. It was the 3 month spike and sometimes that happens they say. So adjusting my meds and talking with my therapist has helped me pull myself out of the depression again.

I tell you all of this not to have you look at me and feel sorry. It's to bring awareness to mental health. YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS!! Us as women we sometimes forget about our own needs because we are mothers, wives, sisters, aunts. etc. But you need to take care of yourself. We can't pour from an empty cup. We shouldn't be ashamed to ask for help or share our story. Seeing a therapist I have been able to talk things out with her where it's helped me personally and family wise. She has also recommended that I exercise more which will help with my anxiety as well. So this weekend I found a great deal on a Peloton bike. Like seriously almost brand new for over half off. I'm DisneyGirlMom if you want to follow me. 😉 I'm very new and just got my shoes today to start riding.

All in all in this month of giving thanks, I'm thankful for so many things each and every day. I'm thankful for my family, my friends, and my new adventures in life with Smart Moms. Do yourself a favor and find the right people to surround yourself with. The ones that are there to celebrate your highest highs and the ones that will be there to listen to your lowest lows. These ladies right here ⬇️ without even knowing got me through one of the hardest years of my life. Their friendship, their love, and just being there for me was everything. I can truly say that all of them hold a special place in my heart and if by chance you are on my mailing list and reading this LOL...just wanted to say thank you! ❤️

So as you can see this past year I have been focusing more on me and my family. Making those memories with them and being present in all those moments. I encourage you to do the same. Take some time away and do something with your family or for yourself. Take a walk with them to your local park or find a new book for yourself to read. Whatever you decide to do just do it and make the time for those things.

Cruise update:

AHH 3 more days! Can you believe it! All the planning and it's finally getting here. What is left to do is finish packing and pre sail covid testing. Unfortunately for us the new updated regulations for not needing testing to sail doesn't begin until Nov. 14, two days after we set sail. But for the next one we are good. I finished all of our shirts, all the Fish Extender gifts, and just doing the odds and ends. Our fish extenders came in take a look!

My entire family is so excited to set sail on a Disney Cruise. I want to know from you what do you want me to share about Disney Cruising. Go check out the post on my facebook page Smart Moms Planning Disney and Universal with Girls and drop your I need to knows. 👍

This week Disney officially started the Holiday Season. Very Merry Christmas parties have begun and it the most Wonderful Time of the Year in my opinion. I'm set to go Dec. 9-12 where I will be seeing the Candlelight Processional for the first time. I can't wait. If you are looking for that last minute trip don't hesitate let's see what we can do. I leave you with this quote:

“Good Friends are like Stars, you don't always see them but you know they are always there" -Author Unknown

Have a great week everyone! All the Pixie Dust, Jillian