6) I set boundaries with myself

In applying all of the above, I learned a few key things that continue to support my mental health today.

1) I avoid consuming alcohol and cannabis. There have been times in my life where I heavily relied on substances for what I then considered “self-regulation”. The reality is, I was numbing emotions and dismissing valuable cues from my nervous system that were trying to encourage me to seek safety / support. As a result, I became disconnected from myself and my physical health suffered. The ripple effect could be seen in my relationships; I lost friends; I lost time with family; I found myself attached to abusive partners. Through therapy, I learned to take responsibility for myself and my responses and befriended the emotions I couldn’t tolerate.

2) I prioritize good sleep hygiene, and if I do stay up late (past 12am), I will only do so if I know I have space/time to rest and balance the sleep debt the next day.

3) I move my body to support my mental and hormonal health. 

4) I maintain a daily and weekly routine (the best I can with ADHD). I also try to schedule one thing to look forward to per month: a spa day, an activity with friends, a creative workshop, a date with my partner, a weekend away, a movie night, a nice dinner. Healing taught me that I deserve to enjoy life, and so do you!