Moving tips for the extremely stressed & sometimes depressed

I can't believe we are moving again this year! (previous blogs about moving here, here & here) and also timing is crazy as we are gearing up for a visit from Eddie's family AND doing fertility treatments at the same time!

pink bedroom is complete!

We have made numerous changes for the better in our lifestyles, moving across the country from San Francisco to Traverse City, Michigan being one of them. but I have to keep in mind I also still, and always, will have depression and anxiety lurking in the background and I need to keep them in check! My depression is cyclical, so I can pretty much count on the black dog to be back at some point. So here's some things I am doing lately that also help with the stress of moving into our new house!

1. Don't be afraid to put in HARD work! We bought a super cute house and it's incredible but we wanted to make some finishing touches that made it personal for us. and some comfort as well.  We picked out paint and and fresh carpet for the bedrooms.  My on-going color pallet seems to be green and pink in all different shades.  We also purchased a hot tub and wanted to create a beautiful space tucked in the back of our property to place it.  We had no idea what we were in for.  We had to move a large wood pile (and stacking wood is actually pretty hard! our piles kept falling!) between that and yard work (we are first time yard owners!) my fitbit has been applauding me for working so hard.  I know the hard work will make the move so worth it.  
2. Keep going to therapy Honestly, my opinion is that if you've had debilitating, bed-ridden bouts of depression in the last six months (ME!), you NEED to be going to therapy. Pills alone are not going to cut it.  Don't waste your time trying just pills and no cognitive behavioral therapy.  How can you learn how to prevent future episodes? Also keep in mind you don't want to be on anti-depressants forever.  Eventually, if you are so lucky chemical balance wise, it would be nice to come off meds and use the tools we learn in therapy.
3. Move your body Everyday I have to move my body like my life depends on it. Because it does.  I don't count my panic attacks as cardio, although I'm sure it burns calories. How can they not? Anyway, it's good to get my heart pumping from actual exercise and not just anxiety. I have been swimming in most of my free time. Sometimes with my husband and sometimes alone.  It's so cathartic. I'm moving my whole body and I also swim at a pool that is outdoors and with the blue sky and sparkling water, it's almost like a vapor-wave (ＡＥＳＴＨＥＴＩＣＳ) experience sometimes.  I absolutely love it. Also the yard work. Sweating like crazy!
4. Budget I don't want to be a turn-off to some of my readers but lately we've been really into Dave Ramsey and using his tips and tools for budgeting. Thanks to my parents and their teachings of debt free and frugal living, we also finished our Financial Peace University class and I am telling you that everyone should go through this 9 step class!  I may do a an entire blog post dedicated to our journey of paying off all of our debt (spoiler alert, it was A LOT)
5. Creativity I keep blogging and I keep creating and planning. I keep materials I need next to the couch to create things while my husband watches TV.  I love putting together little paper houses and other things that keep my mind active at night.  I am always pushing myself to write, write, write!  and thanks to everyone who reads because I get a little bit of money and more importantly, feedback and camaraderie.

Thanks so much for stopping by and stay tuned for my next blog that will continue the story of Eddie and I!