Chocolates and Tissues

    A blog about mental health, finding joy, and living life to its fullest.

    Category: Blog Posts

    • First Day of School Jitters

      First day of school jitters are not only for students. Yes, teachers get them, too. This is the start of my 14th year as a university faculty member. I really love teaching. I have always been excited for the beginning of the fall semester and all the hope it brings. This year, however, I feel…

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    • New Year, New Focus

      I know, I know, it is a new year and everyone always asks “What did you pick for a resolution?” To put it simply, I never do. They don’t last and my ideas of what is important change by the moment. So, this year I want to change my focus to what is really important…

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    • New Week, New Focus

      As we are on the verge of beginning a new week, I urge you to go forth with new focus and curiosity. So many of us lose focus on what is really important because we are so busy meeting the next deadline. My calendar is bursting at the seams as we hit week 3 of…

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    • Stop Catastrophizing!

      It has been a long time since I last posted. I feel like the months, and summer since my father’s death have been jumbled. There have been a lot of emotions, activities, and life-changing events. I am one of those people who worry about everything. And, some of those worries get catastrophized beyond need. WE…

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    • The Aftermath

      Life is sometimes tricky. In the aftermath of two family deaths, two funerals (one I was unable to attend), my daughter and grandson moving to their own place, and planning on how to assist my mom with details to get her set up for a future move I am feeling frazzled. I have been neglectful…

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    • Time Passing

      I know there has been a lot of time passing between my posts. I apologize for that. Life has been hectic for the last few weeks as the semester ended. It is incredible the amount of grading that comes with the end of a school year–papers and projects and journal entries and discussion posts. Don’t…

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    • Feeling Angry

      I have been feeling angry for the last 4-5 days. I want to yell at everyone and everything! While I am not exactly sure why this is I can surmise that it is related to my dad’s death and the upcoming life transitions that I am processing. Do you ever feel angry for no obvious…

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    • Getting through Grief, What a Girl Wants

      What is grief? How do you measure it? Getting through grief is different for each person experiencing it. There are many causes of grief from losing a loved one to the sadness that comes from a significant life event such as moving far away from family or ending a friendship. No two experiences are the…

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    • Caring About Elderly Parents

      Back at the beginning of February, I wrote a post about caring for elderly parents. Today I want to talk about caring about elderly parents. You see, my father is dying. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but sometime soon. He got home from the hospital about a week after I posted that last blog about…

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    • Time Change, Mood Change

      Since I was a young girl the daylight savings time change has been a focus of spring and fall. My mom and I have always jested, “It is now 3:00 but it is really…” I do well with gaining an hour in the fall (I love sleeping), but not so well with the springtime change…

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    Meet the Blogger

    Lenore Cortez, MSN, RN, PMH-BC

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    This site is not a replacement for professional help. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency please dial 911. If you need to talk to someone call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): (800) 662-4357. SAMHSA runs a 24-hour mental health hotline that provides education, support, and connections to treatment.

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