Back in June, my now future sister in law asked if/when I was going to share how I met my then boyfriend. I told her, “Not until we get engaged.” I had shared about past relationships multiple times on this platform over the years, and it was always a hassle to have to delete everything (even though it was part of my story) once that relationship ended. Plus, I realized that not every relationship was destined for marriage (yes, it took me until my late 20’s to realize this), so I wanted to keep this relationship private as we discerned where God was calling us.

Thankfully, though, I can share everything with you now.

Why Not?

At the end of 2020, I found myself faced with a (much easier than I thought it would be) decision: continue to be strung along in a three year dating relationship that I wasn’t sure would end in marriage or end that relationship, step out of the boat, and face the dating world again.

I chose the latter. I was tired of being told things that never came to fruition and I was tired of putting my hope in someone who wasn’t following through. While it was heartbreaking for me at the time, I had peace about it. I knew (almost immediately) it was the right decision. 

Back at the end of 2020 (prior to this breakup), I had started a consecration to St. Joseph for my job, my future husband, and my life. You can learn more about the consecration here.

Unbeknownst to me, I finished the consecration on January 23rd, the feast of the Holy Spouses. And throughout that consecration, I got a new job, turned it down, got a promotion and raise at the company I was currently at, and then ended my three year relationship. (St. Joe knew what he was doing, let me tell you.)

A week after I finished the consecration, a friend from college reached out to me with a text that read, “Hey Maria! Are you open to meeting someone? He’s super Catholic and the best man ever, second only to my fiance.”

Have you ever been at that place in life where you think, “Well, nothing ever works out for me, so why not”?

I was there. In that exact moment.

So, I said, “Why not. I’m always up for meeting a nice man.”

“The only thing is he is my fiance’s brother.”

I laughed. And was also reassured, because I trusted this friend – she has good taste.

So, from there, she introduced us via text message, as he was in Florida and I was in North Carolina at the time.

I was blown away by how attentive and thoughtful he was, even through texting. Asking me questions and making me laugh, the conversation flowed easy and naturally and I found myself excited every time a text came through from him.

They Say 30 Is The New 20, Right?

A couple weeks later, I was with my girlfriends for my 30th birthday, and I found myself talking about him. They were all so excited for me, and reassured me that, “No, it’s not too fast. God has a plan and His own timeline.”

So, he and I continued to talk on the phone (for hours), Facetime (for hours), and text (for hours), until we decided that it was time to finally meet up in person. We settled on the last week of March to meet in Charleston, which was equidistant for both of us.

I was so excited. And nervous, of course.

But again, I was blown away by his thoughtfulness. He planned everything that weekend, made all of the reservations, paid for everything. There wasn’t a detail that didn’t go unnoticed. I didn’t have to plan a thing. And I had never been treated like that before.

I remember we were sitting at dinner and he said, “You know, even if this doesn’t work out, I want you to know how you deserve to be treated.”

LADIES. WHAT.

The weekend was absolutely wonderful, and despite some awkward nerves during that first hour, we fell into each other like we had known each other for years.

But I think my favorite moment was when he told me, “Hey, let’s get to mass early so that we can pray a rosary together.”

And call me crazy, but I think it was in that moment that I knew… this is my person.

The Whirlwind of Long Distance

We continued dating long distance over the next few months of 2021. It definitely had it’s challenges. Navigating the highs of being together and then the lows of leaving one another was really tough on both of us. But we planned wine Facetime dates each weekend that made the time go by faster and, of course, talked each day. 

And truthfully, it helped us grow deeper in love, as we learned so much about one another’s lives.

He also always made sure I had fresh flowers and would surprise me with other little gifts to let me know he was thinking about me.

Around the summertime, I had been praying pretty hard about whether I should move to Florida. I wasn’t tied to North Carolina, as I work remote and my family is from New York, so if there would be a perfect time to move, it would be now.

I continued to feel the Lord pull me there, and when I would visit, I was the happiest, most peaceful I had been in a long time.

Of course, I was really sad to leave North Carolina, but I knew that if I wanted things to work between us, living in the same state would help make that happen.

So, I took the plunge. And I’m so grateful I did.

Upending My Whole Life

As I prepared to move, I was approached by a start up company looking for a PR Manager. I wasn’t necessarily looking for a new job, but I was not happy at my current company. I decided to hear what this new company had to say, and I was in love. Plus, I was ready for a new challenge (you know, because a new relationship, a new city and a new state wasn’t enough “newness”). 

I got the job, moved down to Florida, and started the (what still feels like it’s never ending) process of moving.

Being in the same city is amazing. I cannot tell you how awesome it is to be able to pop over to his apartment for dinner whenever I’d like. And the move is truly when our relationship took a whole other, deeper turn.

Building A Life Together

We had talked about marriage pretty often in our dating relationship. I think we both knew pretty early (honestly, I knew after Charleston). We also knew we needed to take some time to discern and continue to get to know each other. 

But we’re a bit impatient and we were ready for the next step.

One Sunday, we had plans to go to mass, brunch at the beach, and then sit on the beach and read our books together. After mass, I was eager to get to brunch, because #hangry. So, we hurried over there and when we pulled up, Gus was insistent on putting our beach stuff out on the beach before we ate.

I was wearing stockings and booties, so that was a “no” for me. And trust me, I pushed back. But he kept telling me we should go out there, and he usually doesn’t push in that sort of way, so I followed, begrudgingly, of course.

We walked a bit, put the stuff down, and I turned to walk the other way when he said, “Let’s go this way.” Confused, we started walking the other way, and I saw a beautiful picnic setup on the beach, to which I thought, “We are either having a very fancy brunch today or I’m about to get engaged.”

As we walked closer, I started shaking, because what else do you do when you’re about to get engaged? He started saying all of these beautiful words that I don’t even remember because, again, I was shaking. And then, his family and my family jumped out and surprised us. I had no idea my family would be in town, so I yelled, “MOM!!!” And continued to shake.

He got down on one knee, and it was the easiest, “Yes!” of my life.

We drank champagne, ate food, took pictures on the beach, and I kept shaking until I had enough champagne to bring me back down to normal.

It was absolutely beautiful.

We have a special devotion to Mary, and got engaged on The Presentation of Our Lady, which also happened to be the feast of Christ the King. And we’re getting married on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.

Speaking of our friends in heaven…

When I was in that relationship the year before, I was very unsure if I should marry him. But I was stubborn and knew I’d say yes if he asked, even if I felt very little peace about it. I’d heard a lot of people having success with praying a novena to St. Therese and receiving flowers from her. (More on that here.)

So, I asked St. Therese, “If I am supposed to marry this guy, please send me white roses.” I said white roses, because they’re not as common and they signify purity. Plus, I knew that if I asked for red roses, they’re so common, I could see them anywhere and assume they were for me.

I prayed the novena and then eagerly awaited my white roses.

Nothing.

Not even a white carnation.

I was frustrated because I was still so unsure about that relationship and needed something, anything to tell me it was right.

Months went by and I didn’t see a white rose anywhere. So, I laid that to rest and assumed, “Okay, God is calling me to make a decision for myself. Ye of little faith.”

Fast forward 2.5 years later, I’m sitting at my desk the day after I get engaged to Gus, and I hear a knock at my door.

I open the door to see a man holding a bouquet of white roses. I grabbed them, shut the door, and screamed.

MY WHITE ROSES!

As I looked further, I saw they were intermixed with lilies (which symbolizes St. Joseph). I almost fell over.

And they were sent by the company I work for, who surely did not know I had prayed this novena a couple years ago.

I love that story, because it reminds me daily that God calls us to place our trust in Him AND His timing. And we have lots of friends in heaven praying for us.

It’s Only The Beginning

So, that’s our story, my friends. If you made it this far, thank you for reading. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

And if I can give one piece of advice from a girl who tried so hard to make every failed relationship work… step out of the boat and trust Him. It is always, always worth it.

Oh, and now I get to be sisters in law with my sweet, dear friend from college and WE ARE SO EXCITED.

The post How I Met My Future Husband appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

I’m writing this post, because if you had told me a year ago where I would be today, I’d honestly laugh in your face. Or I’d cry. Either one. It’s funny (and scary when we’re afraid to let go of our own desires) how God can pluck us right out of our comfort zones and lovingly push us into a life that’s far more fulfilling and virtuous. I’ve wobbled on my shaky legs a lot this year as I’ve relished in all the good while simultaneously asking Him, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I AM VERY SCARED.”

2020, The Year We Were All Happy to Say Bye To

A year ago, I was in a three year relationship that I thought was going to end in marriage. In fact, I was so dead set on it ending in marriage that I ignored my gut feelings. I ignored the signs that he wasn’t there either. I ignored my desire to be with someone of my own faith. I ignored the lies. I ignored just about anything that didn’t fit the picturesque future I had built in my mind with this person.

Until it all came to a head at the end of 2020, and I walked away from that relationship. It was an easier decision than I thought it would be, though it was absolutely painful. I was unwinding the life I thought I had and thought I would have and I faced singlehood again as I turned 30.

Most likely, I will never share the details, because they are private and as I’ve grown older, I’ve become a bit more private. But I will share this…

When I ended that relationship, I was in shock and did not want to be alone, so I booked a one way flight home to NY to spend time with my family as I reeled from what had happened. The other day I found my journal from that time.

1/1/2021

“You don’t know what the future holds, and yes, that’s scary. But when has God ever let you down? When? Your life has been turned into a beautiful masterpiece of His work. You are His… Maria, 2021 is going to be a very special year for you. Trust Him. Trust that He has you in the palm of His hand and He is going to guide you. He won’t let you fall.”

I don’t know where I summoned the strength to write those words. The future I thought I had – wedding planning, marriage, kids – was abruptly ending. But I do know that any strength I had came from Him and His grace. Of course, many, many tears were shed and the months that ensued were filled with a lot of healing. In fact, I’m still unwinding some of the negative thought patterns from that time and healing from the last bits of pain that relationship caused.

But it’s amazing how God takes our brokenness, our woundedness, and just when we think we can’t take one more step forward, He is there with His grace.

About a month after that breakup, a dear friend from college reached out and asked if I’d be interested in meeting a guy. I was in that stage where I thought I was destined to live life alone and figured this one won’t work out anyways, so why not.

God has a funny way, again, of throwing us into things we think we’re not ready for, because this man is absolutely amazing. Our relationship is deep, open, faith-filled, and so much fun. Those doubts and worries I had in every other relationship of my twenties? I don’t have them here. Of course, it’s not perfect, because we are human, but it is beautiful and God’s grace is abounding.

In an effort to continue to discern the relationship, and quite frankly, start over, I decided to move to Jacksonville, FL. Also, amidst that whirlwind, I got a new job. You know… just changing EVERYTHING over here.

He Will Never Abandon You

I share ALL of this with you, because while it was all painful, and there were many moments of panic and fear, God was always, always there. He never abandoned me. He called me to trust Him and to step out of the boat, and I did.

And He will never, ever abandon you. Ever. I don’t know what you’re experiencing or what you’re going through, but I do know that He is calling you to let Him in to it all. Every single thing. Maybe you’re discerning your next step and you feel plagued with fear. Take the leap. Maybe you’re healing from some sort of pain. Keep asking Him for healing and trust that He will heal you. Maybe you feel overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, or despair. Know you’re not alone. Run to Him and seek help from health professionals.

Thank you for reading this and thank you for being a part of this community. It truly means a lot, because the way I heal and process what’s happening in life is through writing.

I am praying for you. 

The post This Year Has Been One Major Life Update appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

“Leaving everything hidden in the fog because you are afraid of the danger you may find there will be of little help when fate forces you to run headlong toward what you refused to see.”

Read that quote again. Let it sit with you for a minute. Don’t worry, I’ll do it too, with you.

Did you feel that gut punch too? I did.

Recently, I had to “run headlong toward what [I] refused to see.” I ended a long term relationship – one that I thought was going to end in marriage. It wasn’t an easy decision. It was one that I was leaving “hidden in the fog,” as I ignored the warning signs and gut feeling that was growing stronger every single day.

I know. You all want the details. I don’t feel comfortable sharing them, because it’s a personal matter and I care about the other person. We’re both healing (albeit, independently) as we now watch the Lord work in our separate lives and paint separate futures.

We’ve all been there, right? Where we’ve had to make a serious, big decision that scares us. One that will surely cause suffering. It’s never easy. It’s really, really hard, actually, because we know it’s going to hurt. We know there will be a grieving process, and we don’t know what the other side holds.

But now that I’m months removed from the situation, I’m able to look back with a bit clearer vision.

Leading up to that point, I was praying many, many prayers of surrender. “Lord, if you don’t want this for me, please take it away and make it very obvious that You don’t want it for me.”

I don’t know if that’s the best prayer to pray, but I prayed it, because those were the only words I could form that led to a total act of surrender.

He made His will known. And while the decision was not an easy one, and it surely hurt, the hurt is healing, and I can see God’s blessings pouring into my life.

We can do hard things. I know it’s easy to stay in the status quo. I know it’s comfortable to keep doing what feels familiar. But sometimes, God calls us to bigger things, and the only way to get there is to leave behind past lives.

I’ve had to do that many times – with relationships, friendships, jobs, etc. – and it’s never easy. But it’s always worth it.  And He will give us the grace to get through it.

So, my prayer for you, as you’re in this period of waiting and discernment, is that you’re able to fully surrender your will to His. I can promise you that His desire and plan for your life is far better than anything you can surmise. I promise you that.

Thank you for letting me share my heart. It means more than you know. 

The post Doing the hard thing often leads to better things appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

But don’t we all that thing that keeps us humble?

2020 was, admittedly, a hard year (for everyone). 2021, on the other hand, has been a roller coaster where I’ve learned more about who I am, what I believe, and how I handle relationships and tough situations than I ever thought I would in a 1.5 month timespan.

Basically, it’s forced me to reevaluate everything I thought I wanted, brought me to my knees, and at the same time, reminded me of how strong I am, and that I can be my own best advocate.

I’m going to try to spill my heart (as I often do here) without divulging too much, because as I’ve grown a bit older, the sacredness of privacy is becoming more and more real. Guarding my heart and protecting my privacy has become a top concern in my life recently.

With that said, here’s what I’ve learned in the beautifully difficult 1.5 months of 2021:

You don’t always get what you want (and sometimes that’s a blessing)

As the type-A planner that I am, I love 3-year, 5-year, and, yes, 10-year plans. But they, truthfully, never go as planned. I think at some points in our lives, we get knocked down/humbled enough to finally realize that God’s plans are so much bigger and more beautiful than anything we could dream. That’s what has happened to me, and while it’s painful, I’ve already seen the beautiful fruits that come from following Him. It’s not always easy, because our humanly desires get in the way, but fully surrendering brings far more joy and peace than anything we could’ve planned.

Being intentional in what you say and do not only helps you, but helps every single person you come in contact with

Intentionality in what we say and do is very important. I don’t think I fully understood that over the past decade. I very often thought of what I wanted and my feelings and my desires, and I can see how that has hurt others. And I can see how it ultimately hurt myself.

Being intentional means thinking before we speak and act. It means not acting out of emotion or fear. It’s a hard practice, but at the end of the day it’s absolutely worth it.

God is ALWAYS faithful

Period. We don’t always understand what He’s doing and why He’s doing it, but trusting in His Divine Will brings so much peace. And while I’ve been going through some you know what, I can absolutely feel His presence in my life.

God is ALWAYS good

Also, period. “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:9“

It’s hard to see goodness in suffering, right? We home in on that suffering and the pain we’re feeling, without looking around to see what goodness is being poured into our lives.

And trust me, I don’t say that callously. I know there are tremendous sufferings in this life and it’s hard to see beyond them in the moment. Also trust me when I tell you that God is still working good in our lives when we’re faced with trials.

LOVE your friends and family with all that you have

Finally, love your family and your friends with all you have. Lean into them. Open up to them. Let them love you right where you are. Cry snotty tears into their shoulders and sweatshirts. Let them embrace you. I can guarantee, as someone who has done this a lot in the past couple of months, it helps you heal. And it also helps you become more compassionate about what’s going on in THEIR lives.

Writing this out has been helpful for me and I hope it brought you a glimmer of hope if that’s what you need. I pray you always know the love of Christ in your life. He is always, always with you even when life feels hard and daunting.

The post When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned… Again. appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

I have found so much added benefit from taking supplements, and I take a lot of them. Probiotics for my gut health, iron for low iron levels, B12 for energy, and the list goes on.

I recently stumbled upon Utzy Naturals, a US-based supplement company whose supplements are made with premium ingredients, doctor formulated, and tested for safety, purity, and potency (read more on their FAQs). 

So, I decided to give ‘em a try! After a fantastic conversation with someone over at Utzy, here’s what I learned:

1. The founder of this company has been in the supplement industry for over 40 years and they operate one of the largest supplement factories in the country. (Basically, they know what they are doing.)
2. All of their products are made in the US and in an FDA audited manufacturing facility.
3. They’re a family-run, Christian organization.

Of course, being Christian doesn’t determine whether their products are good or not, but this is a faith-filled blog and ministry, so meeting other brothers and sisters in Christ and sharing how they’re working in the vineyard is always a fun experience.

Want to try Utzy Naturals? Check out all they have to offer!

Okay, here is what I’ve tried (and LOVED) so far from Utzy Naturals. But before I dive in, it’s important to note that supplements are not meant to replace whole foods. As their name suggests, supplements give you added benefits – i.e. they supplement where you may be missing nutrients from your diet. They help if you’re experiencing specific needs, like Vitamin A deficiency, or are having trouble sleeping (melatonin).

So, all of that to say, make sure you’re eating a healthy, well-rounded diet that’s nutrient-dense. Then, take a look at supplements if needed. 

Okay, now let’s really dive in. 

u-Mag

I take magnesium every night before bed. Why? Well, according to this Healthline.com article it supports hundreds of chemical reactions in your body, can help fight depression, lower blood pressure, and fight PMS symptoms (among many other benefits). I find that it relaxes me at night, and has now become a part of my nighttime routine.

It’s also great for muscle recovery, which as an avid runner, is exactly what I need. Utzy’s magnesium is delicious too. All you do is add one scoop to warm water and you’re good to go!

Coll-U-Gen

Collagen is also a part of my daily routine. I add it to my coffee every single morning. The collagen peptides in this formula have an affinity for joint cartilage. This is the only formula specifically designed to address joint health, making it a little different than most generic collagen formulas. And, as an added bonus, I’ve seen an improvement in my skin, hair and nails. Of course, everyone’s experience will be different, but if you’re curious about the other health benefits, check out this Healthline.com article. 

u-Mune

I’ve always done my best to take care of my immune system, but since COVID-19, it’s been even more important for me. Utzy’s u-Mune supplement includes a combination of natural botanicals, like Black Elderberry, and vitamins like A, C, D, and various B vitamins.

Taking care of our immune systems is critical. If you want to learn more about u-Mune head over to the link below.

Inflavinol

As a runner, and someone who works out regularly, it’s imperative that I take care of my joints. Inflavinol is a blend of herbal extracts that supports a healthy inflammatory balance, while also providing natural, fast-acting relief to joint soreness. 

Vitamin K2 with D3

Last, but surely not least, is Vitamin K2 with D3, and y’all I swear by this combo. As a woman, I need to be conscientious of my bone health. This combo packs a huge punch when it comes to bone health (and you can read more on the link between K2 and D3 for bone health in this article). Not only that, but K2 and D3 are great for your immune system.

Needless to say, I’ve absolutely loved Utzy’s products and use them every day. If you’ve been on the hunt for a supplement regimen, you should absolutely check them out.

Taking care of our bodies is extremely important, and when we do, it helps us think, see, and act more clearly. It helps us be intentional, because when we’re feeling healthy, we make healthier decisions.  

Feel free to reach out to either me or Utzy with more questions. And if you start using their products, be sure to let me know!

Check them out!

One quick piece of information. It’s important to make sure your supplements are third party tested. Utzy Naturals is. They have their own in-house laboratory services that do all of the necessary cGMP testing to ensure each raw material and final product is safe. Each raw material is tested for its own unique properties. For example, they do DNA testing to ensure that the raw material is really what the vendor says it is. They test for pathogens, heavy metals and other adulterants that could harm someone. They test final products to ensure that the amounts in the capsule are the actual amounts listed on the label. They do stability testing to ensure that they meet the label claim at the time of expiration. In addition to all of this, their facilities are NSF certified, which is a 3rd party regulatory party that does annual inspection of their facilities, including the lab. You can read more about their NSF certification here: https://www.nsf.org/about-nsf/regulatory-affairs/about-nsf-certification

The post Utzy Naturals: My New Favorite Supplements appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

Women’s Intro to Running Plan

This is a novice running plan for women who are ready to start their running journeys. The plan starts with short 30 second intervals and builds so that by the end of the plan you’ll be able to run one mile without stopping.

What’s included:

• 12 weeks of workouts
• Space to write out and reflect on your goals
• Tips on how to see success from this plan
• A social media graphic you can use to proclaim to the world that YOU ARE A RUNNER!
• A guide on how to use the plan
• An Appendix filled with reflection questions, strength workouts, and a daily planner you can print and use each day!

$35.00

Shop now

When I started running, I’ll be honest, I had no clue what I was doing. I just went out there and ran to my heart’s delight. I wasn’t consistent and I surely didn’t go fast. But I loved it. And it’s brought me to where I am now – a certified run coach and personal trainer helping other women fall in love with running while taking care of their minds, bodies, and souls.

If you want to start running, but just aren’t sure how, I have a plan for you. No, really. Like an actual plan that you can use that’ll help you start from ground zero and intentionally bring you up to running a mile without stopping.

Yes, I said a mile.

Without stopping.

This plan is for you if:

• You don’t run at all, but want to start.
• You run here and there, but not consistently.
• You think running is boring.
• You aren’t able to run a mile without stopping. 
• You are looking for some accountability for your running journey.
• You don’t know where to start.

Yup. It’s for you if you are brand new, or new again. So, if you’re trying to qualify for Boston or are training for a half marathon, this plan, well, it’s not for you (don’t worry, more advanced plans are coming). The only thing we ask is that you’re able to walk 20-30 minutes without pain.

2020 has been an interesting year to say the least, and for the majority of us, our routines are all out of whack. Fear no more – this plan will help you get started and keep you accountable.

You can join our Women’s Facebook Group to share your progress, cheer on others, and celebrate your wins.

Here’s what you’ll get when you purchase the downloadable PDF – Women’s Intro to Running Plan

• Space to write out and reflect on your goals
• Tips on how to see success from this plan
• A social media graphic you can use to proclaim to the world that YOU ARE A RUNNER!
• A guide on how to use the plan
• The plan is broken out into 3 blocks.
• Block #1 – Our goal is to get moving. By the end of this block, you’ll be able to run 3 minutes without stopping. 
• Block #2 – Our goal is to build on block #2. By the end of this block, you’ll be able to run 5 minutes without stopping. 
• Block #3 – Our goal is to switch from running for time to running for distance. By the end of this block, you’ll be able to run 1 mile at a consistent pace.
• An Appendix filled with reflection questions, strength workouts, and a daily planner you can print and use each day!

So, there you have it – a complete breakdown of what you’ll get!

Once you’ve finished the plan, if you want to keep going, I work with clients one on one to build out detailed plans that help them reach their running goals. 

I hope you’ll join the RunningMyselfTogether community. I hope you’ll take that step you’ve been wanting to take to improve your physical fitness. I hope you’ll do THAT THING you’ve been always wanting to do.

Can’t wait to watch your journey and see you soar!

The post What Is The Women’s Intro to Running Plan? appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

I’m currently sitting in my childhood bedroom, wrapped cozily in my old high school sweatshirt.

It’s quiet here, and the quiet is partly why I love coming home. I can breathe. I don’t have to rush from place to place, making sure I have all my ducks in a row. I read. I relax. I laugh. 

The other part is that, well, it’s quiet here, and sometimes that quiet creeps in and awakens parts of my mind that I was pushing silent in the busyness. I’m forced to sit in the uncomfortableness and address these little parts of me that I’ve blatantly ignored. They’re not all bad, of course. It’s easy to push down the good when it feels like celebrations belittle others’ pain.

I think this year has taught me this. We’ve collectively suffered as a human race in a unique and painful way, and despite everyone’s views on what’s happened/happening, it pains the majority of us to see others (and ourselves) suffer.

Who am I to experience joy?

I’ve wrestled with that question a lot this year. It sounds insensitive and flippant to tell someone to “find the joy” when there’s so much hurt and so much pain in our world. And at various times, I’ve felt I have to carry the pain, the grief, the anger that our world has been experiencing.

I know. Little ol’ me thinking she can somehow manage the world’s pain.

But the truth is, while there has been a lot of pain, and I could rightly get angry over the way us humans have acted and reacted this year (and trust me, I have at various points in time), what good does worry do? What good does losing my peace do when these situations are seemingly out of my control?

Yes, of course, there is righteous anger. I wholeheartedly believe that and when used properly, righteous anger brings about good change. But spend 10 minutes on social media, and I don’t believe what you’re seeing is righteous anger. What you’re seeing is anger that breeds hostility, callousness, incorrect judgment, and ultimately, leaves no room for love.

I think because I’ve had the mentality that there is so much pain, and everyone is so angry, I’m not allowed to walk around with joy in my heart.

Which, shame on me, because as a Christian, that is simply not true. 

Our Joy In Christ

Sisters, in Christ, we have been given freedom. We have been given a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light (Matthew 11:30). 

The world will not see it this way. The world sees a mess that cannot be redeemed. And because of that, there is no rejoicing. There is no celebration in the peace that is to come when Christ comes again. 

But, sisters, He will come again. So, let us prepare our hearts for that coming. Let us be filled with joy. Not passive joy. Joy that pushes us to reach out to those in need. Joy that encourages us to live Christian lives, serving others, fostering change, and bringing light to a dark world.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

This year has not been easy. This year has caused a lot of pain. And we have every right to feel and work through that pain. We also have the right to foster joy in our hearts.

Because joy isn’t a feeling. Joy isn’t fleeting. Joy comes from Christ. 

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:6-9

When I initially sat down to write this piece, I prayed, “Lord, fill me with Your words. What do you want me to say?” And I thought for sure this would be another example of how I’m working through anxiety in my life. But as the words poured out, they weren’t riddled with anxiety. No. They were words of hope and encouragement. And that shocked me, because that’s anything but what I’ve been feeling recently.

Praise be to Jesus, our Sovereign Lord, who knows our hearts and loves us beyond measure.

The post Is There Joy in 2020? appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

If you’ve been here for a while, you also know that I strongly believe in advocating for your own health – mentally and physically. Little did I know, though, that when I would start opening up about my struggles with chronic acid reflux (aka GERD), I’d find so many of YOU who also struggle with this. And let me tell you, the struggle is real.

So, if you’re one of those people who struggles with acid reflux, I know your pain. In fact, I felt your pain every single day for years. Here’s my story on how I navigated chronic acid reflux, advocated for my health, and wound up finally getting surgery to fix this just plain awful situation.

But first, and as always, here’s a disclaimer. This is my PERSONAL experience. Your experience most likely is not the same. What I say and suggest here is not to be supplemented for proper medical advice. I am not a doctor. Always seek your doctor’s opinion and care. Surgery is not the right choice for everyone, and this is a major surgery.

What is GERD anyways?

About 5 years or so ago, I sat in front of my GI doctor as he lectured me (in a loving way, as if I were his daughter) on dating, seeing red flags in relationships, and getting the heck out when I do. I appreciated his words. I had just gotten out of a very stressful relationship that ended with a restraining order (a story for another day), and the stress from that situation had wreaked havoc on my body. I was struggling immensely with IBS and acid reflux, which is why I was there, and during that appointment had opened up to my doctor about what I’d just gone through personally.

My doctor called it, GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a fancy way of saying persistent acid reflux and according to the Mayo Clinic, “is mild acid reflux that occurs at least twice a week, or moderate to severe acid reflux that occurs at least once a week.”

Because I was so young at the time (about 25), he chalked up my symptoms to stress and anxiety, which, well yes, absolutely contributed to what I was experiencing physically. But as the years went on, and I healed from the mental trauma of that experience and my life became much less stressful, my acid reflux got worse even while on medicine.

If it wasn’t solely a stressful situation that was causing gastro distress, what WAS causing it? Because, when I used to hear the term acid reflux, I used to think of an overweight middle-aged man in a stained jersey eating too many chicken wings and beer on game day and having to pop some tums.

That, obviously, was not me, as a healthy, active young woman who hates the way chicken wings makes her fingers all sticky. Needless to say, I didn’t match my previous mental image and I was shocked. How could I be struggling with this? I eat healthy. I work out just about every day.

The thing is, chronic acid reflux “runs” in my family. My father has it, my brother has it, my cousin has it, and I’m sure there are others in my very large family who have it, as well. So, essentially, it could be genetics, a sphincter that’s just not tight enough, and stress/anxiety. Whatever the innate reasoning, I knew I needed to get help.

My Ongoing, Painful Journey with Acid Reflux

As the years went on, I tried all sorts of different things to help. I tried over the counter medications and prescriptions. I spent time off the medication, after hearing of the negative long term side effects of PPIs. (The pain was far worse off the meds than on the meds, so I went back on them.) I spent time at urgent care, and drinking strange GI concoctions to numb my inflamed and sore throat. I listened to my doctor and limited all the usual culprits – caffeine, alcohol, red sauce, etc. – refrained from eating 3 hours before bed, continued to take my medication, reduced stress, and slept with my head elevated. All of which, at times, brought relief, but most times, did not. I also tried all sorts of supplements, like psyllium husk, aloe vera gel, DGL licorice, and the list goes on and on. All, for the most part, to no avail.

Each morning, I’d wake up burping (an acid reflux symptom), drink some water, burp some more, take my medication, and head to my workout. Depending on what I’d eaten the day before (which was always hit or miss), my workout would either go smoothly or hurt like hell. I couldn’t eat before a workout, and I had to be super careful what I would eat throughout the day if I was working out in the evening.

I became accustomed to this. This was just how I was going to have to operate in my life, which wasn’t ideal, but I could manage.

Choking

This is, until, it became hard to swallow. I distinctly remember being at a friend’s house eating some grilled chicken and having to run to the bathroom because the chicken was stuck and I couldn’t get it out.

Then, that kept happening. I brought it up to my doctor, and he said, “We have to do an endoscopy.”

Yup. We sure did. 

Endoscopies, endoscopies, endoscopies

Soon after that appointment, I had two endoscopies to stretch out my esophagus, because scar tissue had built up from acid reflux. He also did some tests to make sure I didn’t have food allergies that could be causing the reflux – all was clear.

The endoscopies helped the swallowing issue, but the acid reflux persisted.

A couple years later (the beginning of 2020), I had a final endoscopy and a pH Bravo test that tested just how much acid was coming up.

The final answer: An astronomical amount (in the words of my doctor). Needless to say, I wasn’t surprised.

SIBO, yup, another acronym

Simultaneously, I was also continuing to struggle with bloating, gas, and IBS (I promise there is a happy ending to this story). I was tired of hearing, “It’s just stress,” from other doctors, and I’d heard great things about a functional doctor here in Charlotte, NC who does great work, especially with GI issues. So, I bit the bullet, and laid out all the issues I was having.

“I think you might have SIBO,” she said. “Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Studies have shown that extensive use of PPI’s leads to SIBO. Essentially, decreased acid production, which is a goal of PPI’s, can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine.”

I was stunned. So, not only was I struggling with acid reflux, the measures that I was using were causing OTHER issues. 

Not to mention, ALL of this – the acid reflux and the SIBO – made it very hard to run, especially long runs. And being unable to run made me feel all sorts of things, like inadequate, anxious, and sad.

The doctor ran blood work (to further check for food sensitivities) and had me do a SIBO test. My food sensitivities were minimal, but I absolutely had SIBO. Thankfully, it was a quick fix with a round of specific antibiotics.

Unfortunately, the acid reflux continued after the SIBO was cleared up.

Manometry

After the results came back from my Bravo pH test, my doctor said, “Okay, you are young. You are healthy. It makes sense at this point to consider surgery for your acid reflux. I don’t want you to be on medicine for the rest of your life.”

Praise be. 

The next step was an esophageal manometry. An esophageal manometry measures the strength of your esophagus when you swallow. I needed to get this test done to make sure my esophagus was strong enough to push food through the “one way valve” that the surgery would create.

And it was, which meant I was a good fit for surgery. So, I was then sent to one of the top GI surgeons here in Charlotte, and we moved forward with scheduling the surgery.

Honestly, it all moved so fast, especially during 2020, which as we all know has been a wild year.

Nissen Fundoplication

The surgery I was scheduled to undergo is called a Nissen Fundoplication. Essentially, they pull your esophagus further into your stomach and then wrap a part of your stomach around the esophagus tightening the sphincter and creating a one way valve. Food can pass through, but neither food nor acid can easily come back up.

My sweet parents came into town the night before surgery so that they could take care of me post-op. (I may be almost 30, but I still need my momma to take care of me when I’m sick.) I was very nervous. Needles and blood and all that stuff makes me queasy.

The morning of surgery, mom and I got to the hospital at 4 am. I got all checked in, waited in pre-op, and then at 7 am they rolled me in and the next thing I knew I was in post-op with a catheter in and all drugged up.

Side note: Going under without a catheter and waking up to a catheter is the most odd experience. I will never forget it.

My surgeon said that the surgery went extremely well, and even called it “pretty” because there was hardly any blood. I stayed in the hospital overnight and continued to be poked and prodded with shots and all that stuff. But I was so drugged up, I hardly even cared. Mom had to leave at 8 pm (because of COVID visiting hours), but was back by 8 am to take me home.

Post-op Recovery

To this day, I’m 3 weeks post-op. My recovery has gone really well. Because my stomach is smaller, and because it is healing, I can’t eat nearly as much as I used to, so I am tired quite often and have to take things slow.

The first week, I was taking the pain meds they gave me, because of pain in my diaphragm where they made the incisions. After that first week, though, all I needed was extra strength Tylenol and I haven’t needed it much the past few days. I also have a lot of gas build up, so I have to take GasX and then Miralax (sorry for the TMI, but this is reality, y’all). The gas build up can be very painful, but it typically only happens when I’ve done too much throughout the day and have not rested. 

I have 5 tiny incisions that are healing really nicely. I’ve been putting Vitamin E on them every single day, and after a few months, I believe they’ll hardly be noticeable.

And… drumroll please…

I don’t have any acid reflux!

Of course, I am still healing and still have a ways to go before I get back to my previous level of energy, but God is so good. Modern medicine is amazing. And I’m already feeling SO MUCH better.

Parting words…

All in all, I’m so happy I got surgery to fix this issue. This was a long and painful journey for me, but I’m so grateful for every step.

I completely understand that I have been afforded things (like good health insurance and a job that pays me well) that assisted in getting the help I need. And I understand that not everyone has these resources available. My journey will not be the same as your journey, nor will it be exactly what’s needed for you too. That will be between you and your doctor and surgery isn’t an option for everyone. This is major surgery and surgery isn’t always the best option depending on your health.

I also understand that this blog post (albeit long) is a condensed version of all the years of pain, questions, lack of answers, answers, ups and downs, and it may look like the journey was seamless. It wasn’t. It took time, appointments, and lots of prayers.

With all of that being said, everyone is different and there ARE things you can do on your own that help. First, there are Facebook support groups for GERD and for those getting or thinking about getting the Nissen Fundoplication. It always helps to know you’re not alone. Second, medication DOES work for A LOT of people. I always say, do as your doctor says. This blog post is only MY personal experience. Third, diet, exercise, and stress levels can all play a part in helping your body and overcoming acid reflux. The Acid Reflux Diet, while restrictive, is a very helpful diet for many people.

Seek help from your doctor. Get second opinions. Advocate for yourself. And if you have questions on my personal experience, feel free to email me at maria@runningmyselftogether.com.

Products I mentioned (these are affiliate links, which means I get a kick back).

The post My Journey with Chronic Acid Reflux appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

Today, I introduce to you Jenay Franco. She’s a mother of 4 who found peace and relief from anxiety and postpartum depression when she started running. And, friends, she’s amazing. In full transparency, she is one of my running clients. A piece of my running programs are designed to help women achieve goals outside of running. For Jenay, it was her call from the Lord to start a blog and ministry that shares her story of healing and helps other women do the same.

In her story, she details her struggle with postpartum depression, how she went from a “no way” attitude towards running to a “alright, what have I got to lose” to a “I LOVE this,” and how she has found peace in Christ and running.

She’s on fire for the Lord, for running, and for bettering her life with each breath she takes. She surely inspires me to do the same!

So, without further adieu, here is Jenay’s story. I hope you walk away feeling inspired and loved. And be sure to follow her on social media!

My chest was tight, my heart was pounding, and my patience was GONE. From the moment I woke up that morning, I felt short on everything: patience, peace, and energy. It was another Coronavirus quarantine day filled with the constant needs of my four children. All of this family time was beautiful, but wearing on my overstimulated spirit. It was late afternoon and my husband had just gotten home from work. Without much explanation, I handed him the baby and laced up my running shoes. “Freedom,” I thought. The feeling of my feet hitting the pavement and the rhythm of the music was just what I needed.

Have you ever caught yourself saying, I could never do that? Y’all know what I’m talking about. Those activities that sound horrible and are for those “really hardcore” people. Yup. That’s how I felt about running. In fact, if I hadn’t gotten so desperate for something, anything, that could help me improve my physical and mental health after my second child was born, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have given it a chance.  

Thankfully, God is so good that he knew my running journey would be exactly what I needed – not only to make it through that one really difficult season in life, but the many different seasons I’ve had since then.  It’s the thing that brings it all together for me; it challenges me mentally, physically, and even spiritually as I contemplate the way the discipline needed for running well is deeply connected to living an authentic and holy life. 

MY STORY

My husband and I are both Louisiana natives who met and fell in love in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. After finishing college and getting married, we lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Cleveland, Ohio as he pursued his dream of becoming a physician. The years spent in Cleveland were full of challenges (being a plane ride away from our families and having to shovel snow), but it was our time there that shaped much of who I am today. 

The seemingly endless winters, his long residency hours, and two babies in two years brought me to a desperate and lonely place. Mentally, I was in shambles. I was exhausted from depression, anxiety, and the demands of tending to young babies without much of a support system. I was so focused on surviving; my own physical and mental health had taken the lowest place on the priority list. Spiritually, well, gone were the days of what felt like a deep and thriving relationship with Christ. How could I pray when I constantly doubted God’s goodness? I was so focused on getting back to the fire I felt in my single years that I didn’t see a way forward as a wife and mom. How could I possibly do it all? It was all so segmented in my head and I was overwhelmed trying to figure out how to put it all together, so I just didn’t try.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

I still vividly remember sitting in our living room, holding my 6-month-old baby while my 2 year old slept, and sobbing, feeling utterly alone. I felt angry, and I hated my inability to control myself. I found very little joy in motherhood and saw no way out of this. Thankfully, in my desperation, I called a dear friend who had been through something similar, and she helped me realize I wasn’t alone. I finally had the courage to get help.

Soon after I had this breakdown in February 2014, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety, began medication (that I am still on to this day), and had a counselor guide me to make necessary changes in my life.  One of those changes was prioritizing taking care of myself. Chris and I made room in the budget and enlisted the help of neighbors and friends, because weekly time away from the kids was not an extravagance, it was a necessity. This time gave me the space to be me again. 

SEARCHING

I had lost myself so completely in the early years of motherhood that I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore. The time I carved out for myself every week allowed me to dream and explore what God wanted to do in my life. I found myself exhausted every day and unable to keep up with my two babies. I knew the first step was to begin  taking my health seriously.

A friend introduced me to the book and program, Ballet Beautiful, by Mary Helen Bowers. I always secretly wanted to be a ballet dancer, so I thought this would be a perfect start to exercising again. As I devoured her book during my coveted coffee shop alone time, I found myself being filled with hope. It was much more than a how-to exercise book. She challenged me to shift my mindset to a positive one, believing I could accomplish my goals. I had to evaluate how I felt about my body and my life. 

Most importantly, I had to decide why I wanted to change. For me, it was leaving a legacy for my children. I wanted my girls to see me be strong and resilient and full of energy for a life I loved. For the first time in a long time, I believed I could do it.

RUNNING

This positive mindset began to take root. I set my mind to eating healthier and began to lose some weight and feel better. After a few months, Chris and I were having a conversation about all of our dreams and the life we wanted to build together over the next few years. My health journey was a part of that conversation and he encouraged me to give running a try. 

Now, if you had asked me when I married my cross country trained, triathlon loving, very athletic husband if I ever wanted to run with him, I’d have answered a resounding “NO WAY.” I thought running sounded incredibly boring and an absolutely ridiculous thing to do. But here, deep in the process of changing my mindset, I knew it was worth a try. 

Slowly, but steadily, I watched myself progress. I started my running journey with an app called Couch to 5k that helped me go from nothing to being able to run three miles straight. It felt ridiculous at first, but as I went from three minutes, to five minutes, to twenty minutes of running, I was in awe of what I was capable of.  Every time I ran farther than the day before, I believed in myself that much more. Soon, I was ready to find a race and sign up. It felt odd, because at that point I still hadn’t run three consecutive miles, so I was committing with hope in the future I was creating for myself. 

I still have a vivid memory of one crisp, late summer evening leading up to that race. My husband pushed our two kids in the double jogging stroller so I could focus on running three miles for the first time. Just typing this now brings joy to my heart and a smile to my face. I was struggling and kept looking at my phone wondering how much further I had to go. I wanted to stop so badly, my legs were sore and my breathing ragged. Though my mind said I was done, I knew my body had more to give, so I pushed through. I cannot begin to explain my exuberance when I saw that I had done it! I was ready to go!

RACING

On September 20th, 2014 I ran my first 5k. The air was extra cool that morning, and Chris was able to bring our two girls to watch me race. When the shot went off to start, I was filled with adrenaline. I went out a little faster than intended, but pulled back a little once I got to the first mile sign and realized how far I had come! I took it all in. I watched the people around me and listened to the sound of my feet on the pavement. I thought about my form and keeping a steady pace. I thanked God for all the things He had done in my life through this challenging sport. As I neared the end, I caught sight of my husband and girls. 

I was filled with gratitude and joy. I was a new person. I was changing my life, and we were all better for it. 

Crossing that finish line ignited a fire in me. A couple of months later, I ran a 5-mile Turkey Trot (with my husband, I might add!). I was in LOVE. Running connected everything for me. It drastically improved my physical health as I began taking care of my body in new ways. My mental health had also greatly improved; as I felt renewed having an outlet for stress doing something I loved. Spiritually, I grew in ways I never could have imagined before. 

In January 2015, I ran my one and only (so far) half marathon. I was motivated to sign up for the race after I stumbled upon a training guide by Corinne Baur, Running By the Book. In the introduction, she stated that she began running “with three small children at home.” I had small children too, and no longer believed that this would hold me back from my dreams, but instead give me more reasons to achieve them! Her program combined new runners’ education on form and mental challenges with Scriptures to meditate on each week as you approached your race date. I began to see how my own spiritual life was much like running a race (or even a training run). 

LIFE LESSONS

I had to learn to be more self-controlled in all areas of my life if I wanted to live my vocation out to the fullest. The habits and discipline I used to actually lace up my shoes and get out there when I didn’t want to, push through a mental wall during a run, or recognize when my body just needed rest, applied to my home and spiritual life too. I needed to show up in prayer when I didn’t feel like it, live in the Scriptures that spoke the truth I needed to hear, and be as present to my husband and kids as I was focused during my runs.

So that’s my story, the beginning of it anyway. As with any good story, it’s always in progress. These are lessons I continue to learn every day of my life. I hope you have found inspiration in these words. I hope you have heard that you are worth fighting for, and that your dreams are worth dreaming and sharing with the world. Most of all, if you find yourself deep in the throes of depression or anxiety, I pray you will know you are not alone. You have a community around you who will walk (and maybe even run!) with you along the way!

Know a mama who could use this message? Please share the love!

Interested in more of my story? You can find me at www.jenayfranco.com or on Instagram @jenayfranco

The post One Mom’s Journey From Anxiety to Peace and Running appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.

An Open Letter to Those Struggling with Their Mental Health at Work Right Now

You’re not alone. 

You’re not a bad employee.

You’re not destined to fail.

And it’s not your fault.

As someone who leads a ministry that deals heavily with mental health, I’ve noticed that since COVID-19 started, far more people are experiencing mental health issues. And rightly so. What we’re living through right now as a collective whole is daunting, and leaves us feeling unsafe, unsure, and on unstable ground. 

Maybe you’ve gotten laid off. Or you’re working from home. Or you’re unsure how you’re going to make ends meet. Or you’re scared of a loved one catching the virus. Or you’re impacted heavily by the civil unrest. Or you’re afraid of leaving the house. Or you’re stuck at home with your abuser. Or you’re carrying other burdens that have only gotten heavier since this started.

All of these (and whatever else you’re experiencing) are real and valid, and it’s not unnatural for those difficulties to spill into the workday hours. Why? Because you’re human. 

But there ARE things you can do to help address whatever you’re experiencing mentally so that it doesn’t have to drive your day, and so that you can feel some semblance of control in your life once again.

(Of course, I’m not a doctor. But I have wrestled with anxiety and depression and have found the below to help in times of peril.)

Seek help

Whenever anyone reaches out to me asking for advice on handling anxiety and depression, my first response is always: Seek help. There are many avenues where this can play out. I typically always suggest therapy, but you might find that talking to a loved one is a good place to start. Whatever path you choose, stick the course. These issues do not magically go away. They take work, consistency, and diving deep into what you’re experiencing. Many companies offer EAP, which can provide you with short term counseling. Check with your benefits provider to see if this is available to you.

Looking for a therapist? Here’s a great place to start: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists.

Take breaks

Give yourself a break – mentally, physically, and emotionally. I try to build intentional breaks into my day where I focus on something else that isn’t work related. This helps me poke my head out of the sand, connect with coworkers, breathe, and find that inner peace, so that when things pop up unexpectedly during the day, they don’t consume me.

This also means taking breaks from technology. Now, taking breaks from technology may be difficult during the workday, so I always recommend starting your day without your phone, and spending quiet time in prayer, reflection, or meditation. This practice has been extremely helpful for me, because I begin my day with intention and purpose and not the noise of the world.

I also take time off of work. Yup, I said it. You need a vacation. A healthy vacation where you disconnect completely from work. Delete email off of your phone. Say goodbye to Slack. Put up your out of office. Then, decompress and spend time with those you love. Your mental health will thank you for it.

Breathe

Deep breathing (yes, that simple act that keeps us alive) helps tremendously with anxiety. Spend time throughout your day paying attention to your breathing. Does it become shallow when you get stressed? This might exacerbate your anxiety without you even realizing it. 

Personally, I love the 4-7-8 method, and try to intentionally add this in throughout my day. Read more here: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324417#how-to-do-it

Understand that you feel like this now, but you won’t feel like this forever

I had an old therapist who used to tell me, “Maria, you’re catastrophizing the situation.” What she meant was I was ruminating and building up whatever it was in my mind to the point that it was causing extreme anxiety. In other words, because I was overthinking it, it was becoming bigger and bigger.

This isn’t to say what you’re experiencing isn’t real and valid. It is. But there is value in bringing those things to the light (with someone you trust) so that you can parse through what you’re feeling and why, in the hopes that the pain will be lessened.

And you will not feel this way forever. Stick the course. Keep getting help. You will get through this.

Add structure to your day… as best as you can…

I’ve found that when I have a (somewhat) organized day, I feel a bit more in control, which helps mitigate any anxiety. For me, this includes a morning routine, a systematic approach to what I need to get done during the day, breaks, and time in the evening to myself.

Now, this might not look exactly the same for you as it does for me, and that’s okay. It takes time, trial and error, and will not be perfect. Finding a method to the madness of any given day can help keep stressors at bay.

Need some help? I really love the bullet journal method, the pomodoro technique, and Cal Newport’s approach to planning every minute of your day.

Dig deeper into what sets your heart ablaze

Find your passion. Sounds… cliché and overused at this point, right? But honestly, it does work. Having hobbies, a sense of self-worth, a sense of purpose (whether tied to your day job or outside of work), can help you look at your life with a brighter eye.

You know, some may say, “This topic doesn’t belong on LinkedIn, a professional network.” And I agree. 

It belongs in our hearts, in our one on one conversations, in our workplaces. And it is more important now than arguably any time in recent history to talk to our colleagues, employees, and employers about mental health.

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. I understand and my heart goes out to you. You will get through this. 

Maria

The post An Open Letter to Those Struggling with Their Mental Health at Work Right Now appeared first on RunningMyselfTogether.