Hey friends!

I’ve been hiding one of my truths from you guys, and I didn’t want to voice it until I had a solution.  Thanks to a suggestion from one of my supporters, Tara, I think I’ve found it.

I’ve been carrying a tremendous amount of guilt lately. 

I speak openly and honestly about addiction, depression and anxiety online, and because of this many people turn to me for help with their own struggles.

I am so grateful to be in a position to inspire others, and spark a flame of hope in their heart, but I am struggling mentally (and physically) to respond to the incredible amount of messages I receive. I have tried my best, but the messages are so deep… so personal, so… heartbreaking—that it pulls me right in and I feel like I can’t leave without trying to help.

I am only one person however, and I am learning that as much as my heart wants to, I can’t save everyone. That is why I wanted to write this article.

I am trying my best to get back to everyone who has emailed me pleading for help and advice, but in the meantime, here are some things you can watch and read when you are stuck, struggling, feeling lost, or feeling hopeless. All of the following links are where I go when I need motivation to get out of bed, or a reminder of how wonderful life is.

I’ve broken them down into sections to make it easier to find during those moments of wanting to give up. 

 

Anxiety

If you are struggling with anxiety today, you are not alone. Here are some things that may help.

 

1. This is one of my favorite Ted.com talks. Jordan Raskopolous describes EXACTLY what it’s like to have anxiety, and it’s a beautiful thing when we realize we aren’t alone. Watch video: HERE

Screenshot via YouTube.com

 

 

2. I am obsessed with Jason Stephenson and his guided meditations. I find myself using this one in particular on a daily basis. I take a minute and a half each day to pause, put my earbuds in, and calm myself down. Meditation isn’t for everyone, but if you practice enough, it can truly change your life. Listen to the short clip on Youtube: HERE

 

 

 3. I love, love, love some of the tips Therese J. Borchard gives in her article, “11 Tips to Help Manage Anxiety” on Psychcentral.com. She shares some neat, little tricks to help alter the course of the worry and fear that often paralyzes us. Read it: Here

 

 

4. If you are struggling to understand a loved one currently struggling with anxiety, here’s a video I did awhile back, and it depicts in great detail what it’s like, and what we need from you during those anxious times. Watch it: HERE

 

Depression, Sadness, and ‘Blah’.

 

 

1. Gen Kelsang Nyema is an American Buddhist nun, and her vibe is otherworldly, (I’m honestly not even sure if that is a word, really). In this video presented by Ted.com  she talks about “outsourcing our happiness”. The video is brilliant and you should definitely take some time to watch it.  See it: HERE
   

   screenshot via youtube.com

    

 

2. In this Tedx Talk,  Jessica Gimeno, a Fashion Blogger living with five different illnesses, gives an insightful, motivating and most of all—helpful talk about getting things done while suffering from depression.  I can talk myself back into bed in an instant, so sometimes a little outside motivation is crucial while trying to make it through the day. Check out the video: HERE.

 

 

3.  I don’t know about you, but when my depression creeps in, finding motivation to clean seems nearly friggin’ impossible. Melissa Maker, the rockstar behind cleanmyspace.com has some amazing tips for us in her article, “How To Get Motivated to Clean”. The rest of her website and youtube page contain hundreds of videos to help us get our s#@$ together when it comes to doing housework. 

 

4. Here is a video from Yours Truly, about not throwing in the towel… even when you want to. Watch Video: HERE.

 

Addiction.

 

1. One of the questions I get asked the most is “How do I help (or not help) my loved one who is struggling with addiction?” In response I made a video offering some insight about enabling, based only off of my own experiences. The video received 5.5 million views and 102k shares on Facebook, so I’ll leave it here in hopes it can help someone currently seeking insight. Watch: HERE.

 

 

2. Man, listen, this is my favorite of all the videos I’ve ever made. If you are struggling with addiction and need a shot of hope – YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO FEATURING MY FRIENDS! Watch: HERE

 

 

3. I have learned a lot since I’ve been in recovery from addiction, and I often find myself repeating different mantra’s to myself throughout the day to keep me sane. I’d like to share an article I wrote containing 10 life-changing pieces of advice I learned from addicts. I believe everyone – addict or not – can benefit from this advice. Read it: HERE

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Finally, I’d like to leave you with some additional quick links I find incredibly beneficial in times of turmoil. Thank you so much to everyone for being a part of my journey, and for understanding that I can’t get back to everyone’s messages, but they mean more than you know. I hope you take advantage of the resources that are available to all of us as we navigate life on life’s terms.

Motivational videos: 

Procrastination.

Self-Motivation.

Morning Motivation.

Anthony Robbins- The Habit of Positive Thinking

Insomnia – Sleep Talkdown.

Insomnia – Unwind Your Mind.

 

Hotlines.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

National Hopeline Network: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) Hearing impaired: 1-800-799-4889.

National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

 

If you are struggling, please reach out. It’s never too late to start over, and you are never alone – even if it feels like it. 

 

To read stories of recovery from addiction submitted by members of the Juggling the Jenkins community, click: HERE.

***I’ve written a book about my own journey through addiction, jail and rehab, and it’s available now on Amazon. To read the first eight chapters for free, click: HERE then click the picture of the book cover. ***