So. 2020. That Happened. Here’s My Review Of The Past Year.

We often see what we want to see, and we all have our own inherent bias and pattern recognition. That said, I went in cold turkey to the movie Thunderbolts* when my daughter and I went to see it recently. I didn't watch any trailers, avoided spoilers, etc.

And what I saw was me.

Here's My Short Spoiler-Free Review:

I was not at all expecting the amount of depth the story has

There are some very authentic-feeling portrayals of living with mental illness

It was fucking awesome

And My Slightly Longer And Still Not Very Spoilery Review:

As a person who lives with mental illness, I got to see A LOT of what I feel, have felt, have experienced reflected in a certain character's own experiences. And their journey isn’t just an inclusivity checkmark; it’s the core of the movie. I think a lot of people will see themselves reflected here, and by not explicitly stating this character’s diagnosis, they allow the story to include anyone who lives with mental illness, addictions, trauma.

And all of the thoughtful and nuanced handling of mental health notwithstanding, this is just a great movie all around. You should go see it.

But what if it's been with you so long that you can't remember who that person was? #mentalillness #mentalhealth https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7WLa9rYVGE5ogp7qASs3NNWjv8j_dHfoVKW80/?utm_medium=tumblr

So June is migraine awareness month. Because every day, week, month is taken up for awareness for something now. And just to be a pain in the ass, I woke up with one that lasted for 2 days, morning of June 1st. Timely. People with migraine disease typically have periods of high frequency attacks that taper to lower, and then back. Cyclical, so doctors have told me. I haven't gone more than 2 weeks without one in over 6 months, and mine last for days. They're hard on my loved ones, impact my ability to do my job and function at home, and no picnic to deal with. I'm ready for them to tick back to less often again anytime now. But a cure, or a treatment that actually prevents them. Or even some of them. That would be nice. Endrant. Now, who doesn't like memes, right? For migraineurs, I think you'll appreciate these. For others, here's a sortof funny glimpse into what it's like for us. #migrainelife #funnyandtrue #brainfog #allitalkaboutareinvisibleillnessesnow https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-TV0RHYLO2eOD1fAA18p_eSg0fcJwvSwPHtk0/?igshid=j6gxq3bxyfzz

This is a tough season for a lot people. Please be kind to yourself. Do what you are able when you can, and accept that it's ok when you can't. You'll get through this. And if it helps, enjoy a smile wherever possible. (It's the unicorn's eyes that sell this one for me 😂) #mentalhealth #bekindtoyourself #mentalhealthdoesnttakeaholiday #mentalhealthadvocate https://www.instagram.com/p/CXoB3VkraZw/?utm_medium=tumblr

A little necessary self-affirmation. For me, and for anyone else who needs to see this. #positiveenergy #selftalk #mentalhealthmatters https://www.instagram.com/p/CDysgEWBYhI-FxVe-6JlXsTUEIbv1uhmK83dKo0/?igshid=a86zlvabycwn

I Iove this response. I look at it, from time to time, to remind myself that there is healing to be had, eventually.

How do you get over a broken heart?

You don’t, ever. Not quite. But time can do amazing things. A deep wound scabs over, and the scab becomes a scar, and then one day you look for the scar and it’s barely visible. 

What’s important is not to become the wound. Not to spend your life and your time and your attention on the hurt and the heartbreak. Take it and make art with it, instead, or use it to push yourself forward, into things, not away from them.

Good luck.

Who you vote for is no one's business but your own. But it only takes a few minutes to exercise a privilege so many people in the world are denied. And if you don't vote, you don't get to complain about whatever government gets formed tonight, imo. #election2019 #canadavotes #dontvotedontbitch https://www.instagram.com/p/B35HWTRB56ZTDlK0xNA6tpAPX1R8ts5O8LB66o0/?igshid=4814v1acqtpo

I'm really not smart enough to be reading this book. But given that he was probably the smartest man to be alive at the same time as us, I can probably be forgiven if some/most/all of it goes over my head. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp50_azAjOLN_NvKg8ApmXP8flXzE2hR12F8Qo0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wzn3mcks2nsu