What If I Brought Back The Blog?

Hello old friends!

It's been several YEARS since I blogged here. Omg. So long!!

And can I say WOW so much has CHANGED!

Today has been hard- actually this whole week has been hard. Around the time I stopped writing in this blog I was diagnosed with a mood disorder: bipolar type 2 disorder. I will go into this diagnosis more in a later post because today I just want to reflect. 

I have undergone years of mental health treatment, several impactful deaths in my family, new family brought into the mix through my boyfriend's family- oh, and I am dating the absolute love of my life!

There have been MANY ups and downs. I found myself in excruciating darkness and abundant life. I have felt Jesus close and overwhelming, and wondered where the heck he was because I couldn't feel anything for stretches at a time. Faith means something different and more real to me than ever before. I have worked seven different jobs, started my own nonprofit consulting business, started and completed graduate school, and moved to the Greater Boston Area all in the last several years since this blog last saw me post.

So here I am- the same me, but very much evolved, reiterated, stronger and more aware of myself and of who God is to me. I have so much to share about mental health and the spiritual space and how prayer and community have been an absolute saving grace for my life.

Thank you to my friends, family and Heavenly Father for sticking with me and loving me at all times. I am so grateful for the blessings that have come and gone and the hope that continues to carry me.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share my story and create space for myself to *hopefully* make a difference in some of my readers' lives. May I have courage to be real, raw and approachable. 

And a special note to my depressed and bipolar friends- you've got this. Wherever you are in your depressive/mood disorder management story, know that it can get better. Stick to your care plans. Lean into good mental health providers and learn to be your #1 advocate. Keep looking for a therapist until you find one that is a good fit and helps you want to improve. Don't be afraid to let people love you when you get "crazy" or when you feel unlovable because it's hard to love yourself in your low-feeling state. You are worthy of love because you are HERE right now. It's enough to exists sometimes. You don't always have to be on the top of your game. 

As someone who has always put pressure on herself to be "on" and high performing in general, I am learning that I don't need to be impressive to have people and (more importantly) God love me. And what more do we need that love? #theBeatlesRock #allweneedislove

I could go on, but I think this is a good place to stop for now. 

If you're not already following me on YouTube or Instagram, you can see more details of my bipolar lifestyle and how I strive to incorporate Jesus, wellness and my daily details:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissymarie2

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissymarie2?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

I love you all. I pray for all of you who lay eyes on this blog. If you have questions, please comment below or on any of my social media channels! I would love to provide supportive content to encourage all of us as a community to grow together!

Rooting for you,

Melissa xoxox