“I think the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself.” 

― Rita Mae Brown

— Oscar Wilde.

What does it mean to have emotional wellness? The National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates it “is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.” OK, so how does one obtain that? It sounds like resiliency to me.

My blog will focus on some of these conundrums in an effort to share information, spark discussion and hopefully assist others in achieving increased emotional wellness. There is no definitive recipe or 12 Step program that gets a person there. I believe there are numerous and dynamic factors that either bolster or hinder our well-being. Mental health encompasses mental illness, substance abuse, socioeconomic status, environment as well has genetic components.

A goal with this blog is to disseminate evidence-based information and share anecdotes from my own experience as well as those of others. Stigma and the current distorted views in the US have me compelled to find my voice once again. No one needs to feel stuck between the fences of conformity, stereotypes, out-dated beliefs and expectations and looking over the fence at well-being, individualism and personal aspirations. As Gene Autry sang, “don’t fence me in…”

I invite you to stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.