How would you describe yourself to someone?

I’m kind in almost all situations unless I get treated badly or get a surprise reaction. I tend to stay pretty calm & neutral even when people want to pigeon hole me in a box.

I am honest to a fault but I pride myself on my honesty & wouldn’t change that. I tend to say exactly what I think if someone is passing judgement.

I have learned to live in the moment meaning I also allow myself to feel no matter what that is in that moment. I think it’s essential to acknowledge pain or happiness.

If you won two free plane tickets, where would you go?

I’d start by going to Australia & New Zealand. I’ve been to Australia but never NZ. I’d want to visit both islands & do a lot of hiking.

While I’m on that side of the globe I’d visit South Korea & maybe Vietnam & do a short trip to Japan.

I think that’d be awesome in the most awesome sense of the word. It’d almost be like a backpacking trip but so worth it.

Although I have done the LAX to Sydney route before I think I’d want to explore the suburbs outside of the city center & see more in Northern Territories.

I’d like to go back to the rainforest by Cairns & see more of it. In South Korea I’d want to see the countryside & eat lots of good food.

I think it’d be an adventure & it would take at least 6 months to see everything!

What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?

To be grateful for everyday. Today it was our raspberries that I picked & had with some cream. I had a very tough day yesterday so finding something positive to focus on was hard today, but I managed.

Being grateful for me means more than just being that. It means finding joy in everyday tasks & being grateful for our dog. Who’s very protective over me when we’re home together.

Staying in the moment no matter how hard it is, is something I practice even if that means crying at the bus stop. Being in the moment helps me focus on the here & now.

By staying in the here & now I’m able to process what I’m feeling & what my next steps are. Being here. No matter how hard it is it helps me with my past trauma & realizing how far I’ve come from that.

Sometimes that means ice on the wrists or washing my hands in hot water. It brings me back to the present when my mind wants to run away from it.