New month, new growth! We wrote about welcoming this new season with grace. Did you know this month represents depression and world mental health month? The key thing to note about depression is that mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, cognition, and other disturbances are all related to depression, and knowing this is a relief because sometimes people think you can just snap out of it. Show compassion to your friends and family who may express feelings of depression and/or anxiety, because we can serve as a voice of reason & beacon of hope that really helps them get through it. Other things we’ve learned from past events:
Advocate for yourself
Develop routines
Minimize social media use
Find a hobby
Connect with others
Consider utilizing your FMLA/ other sick leave benefits which cover mental health.
It’s also breast cancer awareness, and there’s new research showing women should get checked before 40 years old. See below for some interesting articles to check out about these topics:
Social media and youth mental health [New Report] A longitudinal cohort study of U.S. adolescents aged 12-15 that adjusted for baseline mental health status found that adolescents who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes including symptoms of depression and anxiety.
We talk so much about having success in our careers, but what about our health or other aspects of our lives more broadly? In honor of PCOS Awareness Month, I’d like share my story of success in this department after struggling for decades. I suffered for years not realizing birth control pills, a poor diet, and lack of resources (at the time) were worsening my health. It wasn’t until my late 20s/ early 30s that I began to find support, get an actual diagnosis after seeing over 20 doctors, and identify alternative resources after finding holistic nutritionists who knew what they were talking about (hi Joy @joyoushealth! Hey @holisticvanity). They helped me fix my diet and adopt certain habits like substituting coconut sugar for cane sugar, drinking lemon water in the mornings, avoiding coffee on an empty stomach, and walking outside daily to manage my hormones. I also started cooking more which has helped my spirit and overall health! Being able to see the results after years of putting in my work has helped me continue to push through and find success with my health – such an exhilarating feeling! These changes also allowed me to get pregnant and give birth to my daughter, Hazel, even though I didn’t think my body could carry it out after all it’s been through. God is good! So, if you’re struggling with your hormones, a pre-existing condition, or health in general, know you are not alone. Please know there’s light at the end of the tunnel. You’ll need to put in the work, find the right support system and doctors, but it is possible! Believe that. I’m a testament to this!
We enjoyed the beautiful weather by the lake and took in the sounds of nature as we meditated with Michelle Brown LCSW guiding us. Meditation is the practice of disciplining the mind and engaging in reflection. We also discussed how different activities can count as meditation – cooking, walking, and sitting on the grass for a moment of reflection. When doing these activities, you’ll want to be intentional, being aware of what you’re seeing and feeling. After the meditation, we shared how each of us felt, and many of us were in solidarity with the sentiments shared:
– It was hard to concentrate on just my breath. – I often struggle with meditation and beat myself up for not fully getting rid of my thoughts. – I used the post-it note you left near my mat as a guide for how I stayed focused during my meditation. I took a breath in for “All is well” and breathed out for “in this moment”. – I’ve been having a lot going on in my life right now, so doing this made me feel at ease. – It’s so nice to be in nature and when Michelle said listen to the sound of the lake and the birds, I took my focus right back to being present. – While you’re meditating, don’t listen to the negative voices. Listen to the soft, gentle voices inside your head. That’s the real you! –Michelle Brown LCSW
We learned that there’s no wrong way to meditate and the more we do it, the better our minds become. Why is meditation so important? It is powerful and highly beneficial for our mental, physical, and spiritual health. It directs our brain patterns in a positive direction and makes us remember to stay present, no matter our anxious thoughts or worries. The benefits of meditating in nature include improving our mood, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and anxiety, sharpening our mental focus, and boosting our creativity! If you like reading meditations in the mornings, this book: Meditations for Women Who Do Too Much is lovely!
Thanks again to those of you who joined us last week! Special love to Michelle Brown LCSW for co-hosting with us! She is currently accepting new clients if you’re in need of a therapist. She specializes in supporting clients through navigating life changes, healing from trauma, perinatal mental health, stress and anxiety, and interpersonal relationships. Shout out to the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce for including us in their Health & Wellness Weekend! Thank you Carmen Henry for capturing us so beautifully!
Hey Girls! Welcome to the new Flower Girls Meet site. This has been a long time coming and I’m so happy we’re finally here! The pandemic made me realize that FGM’s work extends beyond events in Chicago. It should be a digital platform with stories and resources about our mental health, work, and wellness journeys.
I’m calling this the Flower Girls Meet Digital Garden! In addition to our vibrant events, we will curate a series of resources for women who want to feel seen, heard, and inspired. If you want to feel less alone in your career while staying on top of your mental health and well-being, Flower Girls Meet is for you! We believe in honest, vulnerable conversations that lead to breakthroughs and empowerment.
How to Find the Right Therapist – Bourgeois Pig, March 2023
