BREATHE... a journal

This blog is a preview for my memoirs. Sort of a journal. I like to post some of my ideas and inspirations here.

The journal has about 145 pages written so far and will also feature some of my artwork and pictures. Not a book. Not a comic book. CHAOTIC, like me.

As you can see, I am not writing in a typical format. The pages might look like poems but it's simply because I like things short and simple. Clean.

If you have ever experienced depression, you know that reading a book with pages filled with words is discouraging and you quickly lose interest...

BREATHE focuses on what I have learned and experienced so far, after the loss of my dad and the depression that followed.
I started writing to vent, but it has led me to knowing myself a bit better-- my limits, my dreams.

-Janie

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Torn

About a month ago, I spent a week in Quebec city
and have never felt more at home... away from home!
This city has everything I've ever dreamed of.

The atmosphere, the people, the old charm
The brick streets, the art galleries and lovely cafes around every corner
People are friendly, people are happy!

Proud of our history and culture
Working hard to preserve it, cherishing it.
For the first time in weeks I was inspired.

Now I find myself back here...
Running circles again.
Uninspired.

Wanting to go back.
But scared to leave what I have worked so hard for behind
Not wanting to leave the little family I have left.

I am torn... once again.


Thursday, June 26, 2008

GO GO GO!

Why do you think there are so many energy drinks around these days?
People are tired. Drained.
Trying to cope and achieve a healthy balance between work, family, chores...
Activities & sleep are always last on the list.

It's always GO, GO, GO!
I cannot survive in that world anymore.
I tried again & again.
It can't be done anymore.

Health care problems were never such an issue.
The amount of prescribed drugs each year is phenomenal!
Insurance companies can't wait to get people back on their feet.
But I think it will only get worse before it gets better.

The world needs a break.
People are stressed, infertile, depressed!
Barely surviving!

I met so many people who are not even 30 yet,
Who have suffered burnout or depression.
THIS IS NOT NORMAL!

People are always pushed to achieve more
With less time and resources.

Is there hope?

Friday, May 30, 2008

Not so good day...

I know I'm a bum...
I rarely post on any of my blogs.
It's just that I'm trying and working so hard on getting a normal life back!
It may seem trivial to any other person,
but each and every day for me is a triumph in itself.

...

Is it normal that it still sometimes takes all my will and energy just to get out of bed?
I don't feel like painting.
I can't get myself to read a book.
Nothing motivates me at the moment and I just keep getting angrier at myself.

All I can think is:
"How can you allow yourself to be so lazy?
What would you do if you were working right now?
Don't you think it's time you started again?"

And I find myself disappointed again...
Frustrated and discouraged.
It's a daily struggle.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Breathe... a title.

Why 'Breathe'?

Well first, under stress
or if you have lived your whole life with asthma like I,
you have to focus on your breathing.

It is the source of life.
Whatever lives, breathes.

I have also recently taken an interest in yoga
and breathing is the base for a successful session.

To me, the word also inspires SIMPLICITY.
When I design something, less is more.
A good BALANCE between light and dark.
The opposite of suffocate: BREATHE.

When Drew Barrymore enters the ball at the end of the movie "Ever After", she is just petrified! What does she tell herself? Just breathe.

Ever heard the song "Breathe" by Telepopmusik?
The lyrics are so simple...
Another day, just believe.
Just breathe. just believe. 
Just breathe.
Lying in my bed,
Another day, staring at the ceiling.
What about "Breathe Me" by Sia.
Help, I have done it again
I have been here many times before
Hurt myself again today
And, the worst part is there's no-one else to blame

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
and needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Ouch I have lost myself again
Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found,
Yeah I think that I might break
Lost myself again and I feel unsafe

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
and needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
and needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

For the people who know me, those songs have become 'me'.
They are now part of the SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE.
Because as you may already know, music, movies and art have help me define myself.

To be continued...

Upcoming posts?
The soundtrack of my life. Songs that have inspired me and kept me going...
Cinetherapy. Movies that have touched me.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

I'm loving angels instead...

Some PEOPLE are meant

to be in your life forever.


Others are just

ANGELS passing through...


:)


Thursday, March 13, 2008

Breathe... an idea



I sometimes feel like I have a story to tell...

but I’m no story teller.

I create!

When I can...

It comes and goes.

Like depression.


It’s not the first time that’s happened to me.

But it’s the first time I know what it is, what it feels like,

how it empties you, dries you out.

It only leaves behind an empty shell of yourself

that you have to work hard to refill.


This time I realised I couldn’t do it alone...





************************************************************



There it is, the first page of my memoir...

"Breathe: a journal about my depression".

It's a work in progress...


My main language is French, so why am I doing this in English?

My therapist only speaks English. I have therefore, come to manage, study and express my emotions in English.


I am first and foremost, doing this for myself.

If this should ever see the light of day, in the form of a book, I hope it brings hope to people who read it.