Well, we have finally made it to Spring! It's been a while since I've written a blog for you all. Still trying to figure out the newsletters, but that's ok! Baby steps, right?
Let's talk wellness. Let's talk mental health wellness. Let's rewind to the most bizarre thing that happened to me last Friday - while I was at the gym. Hold on to your hats, this is a doozy. Heads up, there may be some triggers in this post. So, please use caution reading if you're triggered by abuse and suicidal situations.
*phone rings* *looks and sees an Ontario number*
Me: Hello?
Girl (sobbing hysterically): I can't do it anymore. I just cant. I need help. I just need help. Help me.
Me (after realizing this is a wrong number call): Ok, hold on. Take a couple really good deep breaths and tell me what's going on.
To my surprise, she had no idea that she had dialed the wrong number and was talking to a complete stranger - but did exactly what I told her to. Controlled breathing.
Me: Ok, sounds like you've calmed a bit. Are you safe? Do you need 911?
Girl: No. Yes, I'm safe.
Me: Ok, so what's going on dude?
And there we had it. Her open door to talk about what was happening. In this random conversation, I discovered she had an abusive partner. A toddler and a new baby. She was definitely in post-partum depression and really struggling as she had ZERO supports. Her mother was MIA and a drug addict, her father had passed away, and she had no friend support as her partner has made it that way. He's isolated her from the world. She was alone. She felt completely alone. She was scared. She was overwhelmed and she was burnt out. She was terrified to go to the hospital or to call for help as she immediately thought that CFS would take her kids - I didn't question WHY she thought that, but nonetheless, she was in crisis. I let her talk it out, all her feelings and thoughts and then, by simply telling her (yes, a complete stranger on the other end of the phone from ONTARIO) that I can relate all too well, being the survivor of a domestic violence relationship, and how I got out with my baby...and then more recently of my own personal struggles with rock bottom mental health, suicidal ideations and crying all day, every day for months - until I decided I needed help and talked to my doctor. Just the sheer fact that this random wrong number person (me) was someone she can relate to, in her time of crisis, seemed to offer her some sort of comfort that she couldn't get anywhere else. I was surprised. Now, I'm not familiar with Ontario's medical system, but at the end of it all, she was going to plan and try to leave the abusive partner (with the police's help if need be - God knows how much they helped me get out) and look into a woman's shelter and speak to her doctor about available reasources - like she doesn't even have a soul to help her with childcare. Now, I know it's a really scary situation to be in, but at the end of the day, I REALLY HOPE she does push through and better her situation for her and the kids. She promised me the second she started feeling like that again and that she couldn't do it any more and the thought of harm to herself or her babies (she did NOT mention that she would, to be clear), that she'd contact 911 or mobile crisis. She thanked me for being the best wrong number call. She told me that I've helped her more than I'll ever know. Things like that, I hold very dear. I didn't even get her name! So, I may have very well saved her life or in the least definitely made her feel so 'not alone', which is an amazing feeling - but why did I feel so numb? I was 'off' ALL NIGHT! Why? Well, it seems as though talking to this random person about trauma from 18 years ago, actually triggered me back into a shut down mindset. I guess having to relive the trauma in that time of my life, to help her out of her current trauma, was indeed a trigger that I wasn't expecting. Mental health sure is strange like that, isn't it? I also realized that I had forgotten to take my anti-depressant meds that morning, so things were hitting a little more than they usually do. I was better the next morning though, having slept and got all those 'memories' back into their little black box in the back of my head again - where they belong to stay.
What's the whole point of this story? MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS! Mental Wellness matters. Finding coping skills to help YOU with your traumas MATTERS!!
OUR NEW LINE IS FOR JUST THAT!!!
I'd like to talk about our new line that's coming out!!
The Wellness Line!
We have worked tiredlessly to create this line to help (even it its just a little bit) you with coping when you're tired, overwhelmed and looking for a little 'head space getaway'. These new candles are named after my favourite things to do when I'm feeling mentally drained and overwhelmed and 'just cant'. I love reading motivational quotes and do things like 'Read', 'Breathe', 'Sleep', look for 'Serenity', 'Warm Hugs' always make me feel better, 'Meditate' and find 'Strength' to keep pushing through my lows. I can't wait for you to see them and use them for yourself or to gift to someone who just really needs some relax motivation. They all smell amazing. They are beautiful 10oz candles, topped with wax pellets and a cotton wicks for a long lasting clean burn! They will also be available as tealights and wax melts in the near future!! Stay tuned for the pictures and launch date for this line. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating them!!
One last thing, if you haven't already, please head to our Facebook and Instagram pages to check out our latest announcement about our partnering up with Aulneau Renewal Centre!!
Ta-ta for now!
Ani
