I’ve always had a thing for words. From the time I was a little girl inseparable from the E. E. Cummings book my dad gave me to my career as a journalist, words have always had a special place in my heart. So I suppose it’s no surprise that it was words that came to my rescue a few years ago.
When I was at the worst with my depression, I remember so desperately looking for the right words. The ones that help you hold on when you feel like your world is slipping through your fingers; bring you peace when you’re at war with yourself, and comfort you when you wish the hurting would just stop.
I took screenshots of inspirational quotes, bought a ton of coping books, and hung art filled with positive messages. What I finally clung to – and still return to – are the words I learned during my therapy. They kept me going when I wanted to stop, brought me strength on days I felt too weak to get out of bed, and gave me hope that things really would get better.
Every session, I wrote down the coping statements as I learned them:
Hold on
Focus on the good
Breathe
Pages and pages of notes that last year turned into the Notes to Self collection. I wanted to share them with you on t-shirts, coffee mugs and pillows. I want the bright colors to lift your spirits and the words to give you strength, peace and light.
And I want the healing to spread. For every purchase from the Notes to Self line, I Choose Beauty will donate 5% of the net proceeds to Mental Health America to educate the public about mental illness and wellness.
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Most importantly – if you’re depressed or know someone who is, please get help. Therapy saved my life, and it could be the beginning of your journey to healing.