Chalkboard Conversations: Happy Birthday; The Blog Turns One!

Happy One Year Birthday!

Happy Birthday!!! This month my blog, Thrivingnotjustsurviving.com, turns one! 

This Past Wild and Crazy Year

I don't know about you, but this year has been full of changes for me. 

My son started junior college. I was in a car accident. I sustained only mild injuries, but my beloved (and paid off) minivan was a total loss. My daughter dealt with the RSV virus. My 89 father-in-law suffered a heart attack and came to live with us. My husband changed jobs and is now working from home. My daughter rescued a dog. I started new health supplements and treatment that have proved very helpful. 

And, with the help of my friend Amanda, learned how to start a blog!

I wanted to start a blog to talk about thriving with depression. So many people experience depression, and it affects people of all different races, genders, ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status. Yet treatment is often hard to access, expensive, you feel like a lab rat trying different treatment/medications. And worse yet, sometimes you feel like a second-class citizen or a criminal; especially if you have ever been admitted to a hospital.  

But, as time went on, it became clear to me that I wanted this blog to become so much more. Because, let's face it, there are so many aspects of life that affect, and are affected, by our mental health. Think about it! Your physical health, how you interact with others, how you handle money, even your weight. Yep, even your weight. In its first year of life, my blog definitely grew!

Your Favorite Posts!

Amanda and I looked at what your favorite blog posts were this year. The winners are: 

• Jamie's Corner: The Monster with Wheels
• Thriving with Depression Series: Holiday Editions (Part 1) and (Part 2)
• Inspiration: My Poem "I'm Not Alone"

You also seem to really enjoy our newest column: Show Me the $$$.

• Episode 1: Finance is not an "F" Word
• Episode 2: Jamie's Story
• Episode 3: Amanda's Story (Part 1)
• Episode 4: Amanda's Story (Part 2) 

My Favorite Posts!

So, what were my favorites to write? 

Thriving with Depression Series: Holiday Editions (Part 1) and (Part 2). I likewise really enjoyed writing the holiday editions. Who hasn't dealt with an unusual or difficult friend, relative, or acquaintance during the holidays? Maybe they feel the need to share with you how you should live your life, decorate your house, or cook the turkey?

Thriving with Depression Series: Haunted by the Past Series (Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). I also thoroughly enjoyed writing my Haunted by the Past 5-part series. I tend to ruminate about choices I made in the past or events that happened in the past. Somehow, I am convinced that the more I ruminate about something, the more likely I will come up with some amazing way (maybe time-travel?) to change the past. And yet I still consider myself a logical person. 

Inspiration: The Technical Trouble before Christmas. I had so much fun writing my poem The Technical Trouble before Christmas. It mirrors the poem The Night Before Xmas and is about a family with Wi-Fi issues before Christmas. 

Exciting Changes Coming!

We plan to continue all your regular favorites:

• Main Articles:
• Thriving with Depression Series- the "how to" of thriving with depression. Learn to love your life!
• Chalkboard Conversations- discussion about depression and personal stories of my struggles and successes
• Jamie's Corner- Funny short articles about life. Warning: may cause laughter!
• Monday Motivation- quotes and poems to start your week on a positive note!
• Jamie's Corner- Funny short articles about life. Warning: may cause laughter!
• Show me the $$$- getting healthy with your money with Amanda (the pro) and Jamie (the novice)! Laugh, cry, and learn as we tell personal stories and discussion this ever-present topic.

We will also be coming out with our newest column in the near future:

Weight loss and Wellness- Trying to lose weight? Or just want to feel better? Join Jamie (aka The Sick Nurse) for tips, tricks, and personal stories. You can also join me on social media:

• Facebook: Jamie Mackin Juniper and Thriving Not Just Surviving
• Instagram: thriving.not.just.surving (note: surviving is spelled "surving")
• Tik Tok @jamiejuniper