AEIOUY

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I’m reading “The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are” by Brene Brown. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a perfectionist. Much of my self worth is wrapped up in what I do and what I accomplish. Since I am in a treatment facility with no project to work on but myself, I’ve come painfully close to the limitations that my perfectionism has placed on my psyche.

As a trainer, I love mnemonic devices and Mrs. Brown references a good one that I’m going to try and start using: AEIOUY.

  • A = have I been Abstinent today? Regarding anything that I over-consume or over-utilize.

  • E = have I Exercised today?

  • I = what have I done for myself today?

  • O = what have I dine for Others today?

  • U = am I holding on to Unexpressed emotions today?

  • Y = Yeah! What is something good that happened today?

I’m about halfway through her book and much of it feels like a personal attack on my way of life. There is no way I leave this facility without making some changes to my thinking patterns. In 2016 it was anxiety that pummeled me until I figured out better ways of managing it. The end of 2019 is a return to battling depressed thoughts.

I’m grateful to have readers who find value in what I write. I plan on continuing to write my observations about mental health, and sharing the resources I find and the books I read so we can all live better lives.

First line of Mary Oliver’s poem: Wild Geese. Click my tattoo picture to read the full poem.