Hi, my name is Sami, and I’m choosing to start this blog today to hopefully help even one person. I’m no guru or medical professional, just a girl sharing her story. A little synopsis about me…I’ve survived various childhood hardships, becoming a mother at 16, abusive relationships, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, depression, CPTSD, loss, 38 types of medications, addiction, and multiple attempts on taking my own life, one being nearly successful (read more about that here “a deeper look”).

My why…

           I’m not looking for pity. I’m looking for community. Many of us suffer in silence and isolation. I wish to change that. I want to help people see that we are more than what life has thrown at us. People of all types deserve hope. I’m looking for the people who have said, “I just want to be normal.” Or “why can I be like that?”. The people who struggle to fit in anywhere. People who are just that…people! We are all flawed humans, no matter what social media or television show you watch. I’m not perfect, and I’m not looking for perfect. I suppose what I’m saying is I want you to try. Try even if it feels silly at first. Who knows, maybe you’ll find something you relate to and stick around for a while.

           So if you think you can handle a train wreck community of misfits, let’s get this show on the road. Here are the steps to joining in on the fun.

•           Step one- be open-minded. Trust me when I say I’ve looked at my therapist like she’s insane many a time. But all she asked was that I be open-minded. Lo and behold, some of her “nonsense” started to work! I was flabbergasted, honestly, sometimes I still am by how effective some things she’s taught me are. 

•           Step two- Absolutely no bullying. Not anyone or yourself. Life is getting after us all enough as it is. You’ve heard it once, and you’ll probably hear it a thousand times more. If you have nothing nice or of substance to say…keep it to yourself. 

•           Step three- gather a support system. Not one that will coddle you and tell you you’re perfect and nothing’s wrong with you. We need accountability here (you’ll learn to love that word). Do you not have friends or family? Reach out here; I’ll do what my mental capacity allows, or try to point you in a good direction for help. 

•             Step four- If you’re in therapy, it’s time to take it seriously. Therapists cost money. Why are you wasting your money complaining about Sharon at the gas station, who gives you the stink eye? Stop. Dig deep, instead of everyone else is the problem, think “what do I need to work on?” Or “why is this affecting me so deeply?” If I don’t have something to work on in therapy, I ask for a refresher or I simply reschedule. If you won’t use your time wisely, you could be wasting the time of someone who desperately needs help. Perspective. 

•          Step five- Everyone has different needs and opinions. There is no one solution that fits all to this. What works for some may not be an option for others. We are not here to say who is right or wrong. We are not here to “fix” you. So, do not bring any of that in here. Period.