Why do I write about mental illness and trauma? I’ve been asked that a lot lately. Most people appreciate the information, but don’t really understand why I write. “Shouldn’t you be…?” followed by a huge list of things they think I need to do, or “isn’t too painful?”, they ask. And just like I wrote in my review of Broken by Jenny Lawson, aka the Bloggess, yes there are things that are probably more “useful”, but writing is necessary for my mental health. It’s a way to cope with my mental illness. “Wait a minute,” some of you might think….
Tag: mental health
Week in Review 2 – I’m late, I’m late, I’m very, very late
For all you Alice in Wonderland fans, I’m sure you recognize this. The White Rabbit running around with his pocket watch, hurriedly exclaiming, “I’m late, I’m late, I’m very, very late!”. The whole I planned and God laughed theme just kept right on, right onning, this week. So here’s the week in review week 2. Or more accurately, the week in review part 2.5 because, well, I’m late. The Foundation The good The biggest news: The site has finally migrated to WordPress. Of course I would’ve built this site directly in WordPress if I hadn’t listened to the “authority”. I…
Week in Review 1 – I planned and God Laughed
The short version: yes the first week was successful – both for the Jeffry Stijn Foundation and me personally. But it came with a LOT of unexpected twists and turns! What’s that saying? We plan and God laughs? For the first week of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation my plans were pretty simple. Basic start-up things needed for any new venture. Begin the process of incorporating the foundation at the notary. Pay the deposit for the notary. Put on paper the ideas that have been rattling around in my brain for more than a decade as the basis for things such…
4 Years and 9 months for an online intake for possible fitting treatment
I have cPTSD (complex post traumatic stress disorder). I have probably suffered from it since pre-school. Though I was treated in my mid twenties for PTSD in the Netherlands (e.g. my acute traumatic experiences), I was not diagnosed with cPTSD till 2019. It’s taken 4 years and 9 months to get to an online intake for possible fitting treatment abroad. I realized I was heading toward a complete breakdown halfway through 2018. I informed my employer, and asked to come up with solutions in order to prevent said break down. My boss suggested I quit. I protected myself and called…
A perfect inaugural day
Today was a day of firsts. The first forms filled out for the incorporation of the Jeffry Stijn Foundation. The first pages of its site live. The first emails sent and received bearing a logo. The first day I became the founder of something I truly and passionately believe in. Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Julie, I live in Aruba. Though I am Dutch by birth, I’m international by parentage and past residency. I love dancing, reading and writing. I love learning new things. My home is besieged by pets, filled with books, surrounded by greenery. My…
