Let me preface this by saying: I don’t really know what I’m doing here. I’m not used to being this open with my writing. I’ve never started a project like this but given the chaotic state of social media, I thought this would be a better way to express myself.
I’m usually a little guarded when it comes to what I share in any public forum. Social media has always been tricky; it’s hard for me to feel like a post is authentic or written in a way I’m satisfied with. I’m very proud of my writing on My Brain’s Not Broken, and I’ve grown more comfortable with my online voice as a mental health advocate.
Even though I’m proud of the work I’ve done, I still feel guarded. I still feel like I’m not always being as open and honest as I could be, and I know why. Whether it’s at work or at home, a vast majority of my life is spent trying to figure out the right thing to say. I love words - the process of trying to find the right word/phrase to build a sentence is fascinating to me. There’s no limit to what writing can do, which is one of my favorite things about it. Simultaneously, it also creates a challenge. Sure, I can write anything, but on the other hand, I can write anything. So what do I say?
Negative Thoughts, Positive Person is the place for that. I’m still very excited to continue my work at My Brain’s Not Broken, but this is a space for random thoughts, missives and a chance to be vulnerable in a way I haven’t before.
Why the title? Because even though I’ve lived with anxiety and depression for almost a decade, I'm actually one of the most optimistic people you'll ever meet - except when it comes to my own life and mental health. Through this new project, I'm hoping to share my own thoughts and musings in a more personal way, sharing a perspective that doesn't always come through on My Brain’s Not Broken, my mental health blog. You'll also get personal recommendations about music, books, movies, food or even puzzles - anything and everything I'm loving at the moment.
I’m excited at the opportunity to share more of myself through this journey, and I am grateful to anyone and everyone who’s taken the time to read this. Each and every one of us has a story to tell, and I’m hoping to grow into mine.