Mental Health

Passion & Growth

/ caseylmatzke / Leave a comment

At the end of 2022, I was looking for something to add to my self-care package. I love journaling and that practice has stayed with me, but I wanted something more. I am an avid book reader, so I was already hooked on the Book of the Month Club. By the way, this has been a great opportunity for me to read other genres and learn about some great authors that I would not have read before. If you like to read, I suggest checking it out.


I was putting some thought into what I could do when I came across this Passion & Growth post on Facebook. It immediately caught my attention. As I went to do some more research on it, I saw that it was a subscription box, which I like these concepts. It seemed like this box would be right up my alley. Promoting small businesses, encouragement, growth, passion, everything that I shoot for. It took me a few months, but I finally pulled the trigger, and I couldn’t have been happier with my decision.


I think the thing that I like most about this subscription is that it is a new present every month. I am treating myself to something, and I have no idea what it is, but I know that it is going to be great and right up my alley.


I know that I will most likely be getting a book, which I absolutely love. Avid reader remember. I have gotten journals and sticky notes. I have received lavender in a rolling stick to help you sleep, which at times I need! A protein bar that tasted exactly like a cinnamon roll, and I mean exactly like it.


Seriously, there is something special in each box that touches my soul and I am not just talking about the books! There is nothing better than receiving a package in the mail that you know is going to lift your spirits and you are excited to open! If you are interested in learning more about Passion & Growth, check it out here!


If you are on a journey, find something that helps you along the way, find something that brings you joy, passion, and make sure you keep it around.


As always share some love, we could all use a little more love.

XOXO

Casey

Anxiety – Let’s Talk About It

/ caseylmatzke / 2 Comments

Not too long ago, I was laying down with my kiddo and she looked over at me and asked me if I had anxiety. I quickly closed my book and thought about the question. My first response was do you know what anxiety is? She replied, not really. This told me that this was something that she picked up or heard from somewhere. I preceded to tell her that I don’t think I have anxiety but that anxiety is when you worry about things that can sometimes be out of your control. 

She asked me if I had panic attacks and what they were… she was coming with the big questions. I told her a panic attack was when you got so worried and stressed out about something that sometimes it got hard to breathe. I then told her I would do some research for her and come back with some better answers. 

Anxiety – “A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.”

Some symptoms of anxiety according to Mayo Clinic – 

  • Feeling nervous, restless or tense
  • Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
  • Having an increased heart rate
  • Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
  • Sweating
  • Trembling
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
  • Having trouble sleeping
  • Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems
  • Having difficulty controlling worry

Home Remedies to help combat anxiety according to Mayo Clinic – 

  • Keep physically active
  • Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs
  • Quit smoking and cut back or quit drinking caffeinated beverages 
  • Use stress management and relaxation techniques
  • Make sleep a priority
  • Eat healthy

I have been pretty fortunate to not have anxiety play a huge role in my life. Now, I will admit that I am an over-thinker. I can go down a path quickly and get lost in thought and future conversations that may never even happen. For me, focusing on the present seems to help. I tell myself to stop, relax, and try to think about something else. To not make assumptions but to wait and see how things play out on there own instead.

For me, this was a great reminder that – You never know what someone else is going through or what they are having a hard time with. Choose kindness next time you get frustrated with someone. Choose joy next someone gives you a hard time. Choose grace next time someone cuts you off. You never know what they may be dealing with internally. 

Also, if you have kiddos, just assume, they are consuming everything that goes on around them. Have the tough conversations with them. Heck, I didn’t even know what anxiety was until my later 20s, now my 11 year old is asking me about it. Don’t be afraid to have the conversations, we need more of these conversations. 

As always share some love, we could all use a little more love.

XOXOXO

Casey 

Sometimes, You Just Have One of Those Days

/ caseylmatzke / Leave a comment

Do you ever have those days where nothing seems to go right? Where despite how good of a mood you are in the hits keep coming? Where you just want to go home and go to sleep and re-start tomorrow. I had one of those days recently.
I had been journaling that morning on staying present and continuing to be in a good mood despite what gets thrown my way. I had a really good day the day before using this perspective and I wanted to keep with it. Little did I know, it was going to be a day of tests. It was almost like me writing about it was sending a vibe into the Universe, saying let’s see how she holds up with this.


I won’t bore you with all the small details but it all ranged from angry customers to, being out of the food I wanted to order, to changing plans around then their was the icing on the cake. That I will tell you about.


I was trying to be productive and get gas before going home.

  • It is cheaper
  • I didn’t want to have to rush in the morning to get it before leaving town.

I turned a corner and my shake spilled. My Andes Mint Shake (because there were out of Chocolate Shakes)! I quickly picked it up but knew that some had spilled. I thought no worries, I have plenty of napkins, I can get it. I parked and lifted my console to begin cleaning and it spilled again!


This time, on my seat, on me and on my book! I quickly grabbed more napkins and wiped down my book and my seat. Then I leaned back in my chair and just let the tears fall. I didn’t get angry, I didn’t yell, it was more of a defeated state. What else can go wrong? My book, why my book. After about 30 seconds and reminding myself that in 5 years this will not matter, I scrubbed some more on the book to see how much I could get off. I then opened my door to clean the floor. That is when I realized, there was shake in both of my shoes. I continued to let the tears fall as I cleaned up the whole mess. I got gas and sat in the truck as the pump slowly filled my tank. For once, I was actually thankful for this, it gave me a minute to pull myself together, wipe my tears away, know that it is just material things, that I can always wash my shoes, and that in a few days this will probably be funny. I gathered myself together and made the drive home.


How we react to things matters. Sure, I could have gotten angry and made a big deal out of things but what purpose would that have served. I would have come home angry, that negative energy would have leaked out to others and before you know it, everyone would have been angry.


Sometimes, taking 5 minutes to let it out in the parking lot is exactly what you need to do. Let it out, get rid of it. Pull yourself together and keep making the most of your day. Even on days I am tested, I don’t want to have negative energy/juju surrounding me.


No matter how positive or happy you are as a person, there are going to be days that test you. Keep pushing out love, stay with the positivity. If you have too, take the 5 minutes and have a moment, or if it is that bad, call it a day and take it to the house. Sometimes, we just need a reset. Whatever you do though, keep on shining, the world needs more of it.

As always, share some love, we could all use a little more love

XOXOXOXO

Casey