“I failed the mental health test today,” I told my dear one.
We were in their van, and I was looking down at my body as my dear one drove.
“Not only did I fail to wear rings, a bracelet, or a necklace,” I continued. “But I also failed to put on socks.”
I stared at my naked ankles.
“It’s a hard time,” I continued. “It’s a wonder I can get out the door at all.”
wellness
Do you have a mental health test?
My mental health is on a wave. It depends on…
- my hormones
- what’s going on with my projects
- my stress level
- Ming’s stress level
- the seasons
- pain, allergies, air quality, and other health struggles
- emotional anniversaries including deathiversaries
- how much time I’m in nature
- how much time I’m on my phone
- what’s happening in my close relationships
- how loved and supported I feel
- faith
- current events / the mood of the culture
Many of these factors I can affect, some not so much.
jewelry
Jewelry helps me feel protected and gives me a chance at being known. Most of the necklaces I wear, I made myself, so there’s creative expression. I’m proud of the bee necklace which is red with a metal bee and has delicious asymmetry.
Some of the bracelets I’ve made too. The bracelet I wear the most, me and Ming made together with blue as Ming’s favorite color and protection, red for my mom’s favorite color and her protection, and then purple and lavender for the Emperor energy I’ve been working on. It’s simple, beautiful, comforts me, and is so lightweight that I almost don’t feel it, which is the perfect amount of sensory stimulation.
As for the rings, Ming made me that copper wedding ring I like so much, with the help of their friend. The rings all have spiritual / emotional significance, one way or another.
As for socks, they just keep my feet ok in my shoes. Socks are pretty terrible, but shoes without socks are worse, so we do our best.
Yes, I’m the anti-sock type of autistic, but if I need shoes, socks are the necessary evil.
questions for discussion
- What helps you feel protected?
- Who made most of your jewelry?
- How often do you fail your mental health test?
- When you see your mental health taking a dive, what do you do?
I like to rest, reduce my stress, list what’s bothering me in my journal, see what I can work on, and ask loved ones for support.
