Connell & Associates

03/07/2021

Just in case you were told differently

01/19/2021

I don’t know who needs to hear this tonight, but hey:

Take your freaking pill.

(Your anti depressant. Your SSRI. Your anti anxiety med.)

You know, whatever pill you begrudge having to take?

Yah. That one.

Take it, please.

You deserve to be healthy.
You deserve to feel sunshine.
You deserve joy.

You deserve a brain that doesn’t sucker punch you.

And yes, I know it’s kind of a pain.

I also know some days you might feel strong enough to do without it.

But that little pill isn’t for the good days, my love.

And don’t you remember the bad days?

Those days when the storm clouds gather.

When energy leaks out of your body like someone pulled the drain.

When brushing your teeth feels like a marathon and sunshine is offensive and even the most joyful noises of your household sounds like a million bees in your head...

I remember those days.

And that’s why *I* take the pill.

One day at a time, one refill at a time, one season at a time, I take the pill.

You see, sometimes sunshine tastes like sour chalk and has to be washed down with water.

Sometimes God’s biggest miracles come in orange cylindrical bottles.

Sometimes your very salvation is written on a prescription pad, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Fight the good fight with me. Stay in the sunshine. Vulnerability is courageous as hell, and it takes so much courage to admit you need this.

Warrior on, my friend. You aren’t alone.

Take your freaking pill.

I’m sure as heck taking mine.

*cheers*

01/09/2021

12/01/2020

Anyone else feel this way?

11/27/2020

"FEELING TOUCHED OUT IS NORMAL

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by touch when you’ve got a cluster-feeding newborn and a jealous toddler and you never get to p*e or shower or eat by yourself.

It is NORMAL to feel touched out and it does NOT mean you aren’t bonding or that you don’t love your babies enough.

Postpartum is hard enough as it is without you judging yourself for your feelings. Talk to your partner, talk to a postpartum doula, talk to ANYONE about your feelings. Be honest with yourself and with your support team. Most importantly, ask for HELP.

They weren’t kidding when they said it takes a village.

So ask for help and take a shower, p*e with the bathroom door shut, and eat a full, nourishing meal. Take a moment for yourself and reset your touch threshold. Your babies need you happy, healthy, and ready to fill their needs. If your cup is empty, you can’t fill theirs.

Ask for help ✨"

**Beautiful image and words from Stellarbear Art ❤❤❤

11/25/2020

A quick word to everyone for whom this Thanksgiving is a sad first. First Thanksgiving after you lost someone precious this year, after a divorce, after a hard move, after a job loss, after something broke apart.

Thanksgiving (and the Christmas season) are wrapped up in traditions, but when an important person or place is missing, everything can feel disoriented and broken.

I love you. God loves you and sees you. Praying this morning for new joy, fresh enthusiasm, the creation of new memories. Asking that grief does not rule your heart and mind this year.

You are strong and capable and still able to fill your days with laughter and joy. Jesus is the best. People love you. You matter. There is still so much ahead.

God gave us an amazing tool to mitigate sorrow and seize joy by the collar: gratitude. It is a crazy effective trick.

Maybe we can bear witness for each other here today. For those of us who suffered a loss this year and those of us who just love you. Let's list it, name it all, as a sheer act of courage and trust in the face of struggle:

What are you thankful for, in spite of everything, dear ones?

11/17/2020

Explore this guided meditation focused on allowing ourselves to settle in the present moment. Practice with Rhonda Magee now.

11/17/2020

Exercise psychologists share their favorite winter workout tips to keep you moving.

11/17/2020

If you have a child with ADHD or autism, this is worth a read.