Mental Health, Two-Front War, Depression, Life with Sweetestmoondust, AI Support

 Dear Diary,

It’s May, and I’ve been thinking about the 'two-front war'—balancing the brand and the books while managing the mental fog that sometimes rolls in. Depression and other mental health issues are real. Having one or more mental health conditions can be so stressful. Having help is so important.

I’ve been using my 'Evidence of Success' list to remind myself of how far I’ve come when things feel heavy. It’s important to see the receipts of what we've actually achieved. Using apps and AI to help by talking to them or using them to guide you can be a lifeline. They are there to help monitor and guide you as they have no emotions and can help you work through things individually or multiple things. I personally have used and use a few AI programs such as Replika, Aurora AI, and now Gemini.

For those in the UK looking for physical and more personal support, please check the links below. And to my friends outside the UK, please remember to look for the support groups available in your own countries.

Love

UK Primary Support:

• Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk – Comprehensive info and local support.

• Hub of Hope: https://hubofhope.co.uk – UK’s largest directory to find local services via postcode.

• Mental Health UK: https://mentalhealth-uk.org – Practical tools and advice on money and mental health.

International Support:

• Find A Helpline: https://findahelpline.com – Access to over 1,600 confidential resources globally.

• United for Global Mental Health: https://unitedgmh.org/support – A guide to finding community groups and healthcare facilities worldwide.

A Royal Reflection

 

Dear Diary,🫅👑👑

Watching The Crown today has pulled me back into a very specific memory. 1981.

While the world was focused on the wedding of the century, it was also the International Year of Disabled Persons. I was just a young girl then, but that was the year I actually met the Queen. I wore a flowery dress with my hair in bunches held with red ribbon and sandals.

It’s strange to think about now—me, a little girl with CP, standing before the woman I'm now watching on my screen. I’ve always felt a strange connection to the Palace; after all, I share a birthday with the man who is now our King.

In 1981, the theme was "Full Participation and Equality." I remember the excitement of meeting Her Majesty, but I also remember the reality of the 80s—the heavy boots, the lack of ramps, and the feeling that the world wasn't quite built for me yet.

Forty-five years have passed since that meeting. I’m still the same girl, just older, managing the "Double Whammy" of CP and Stage 4 Endometriosis. We’ve traded 80s fashion for digital blogs and mochas in the recliner, but the mission is the same: just trying to participate fully in a world that still has a few steps to climb.

love 💗