Welcome to my blog!  I am so excited that you have decided to drop by.  We are going to have an epic time here. We being me and my (hopefully) future faithful followers.  I know I mentioned this blog idea to a few very close friends a while ago, but I had no idea it was an ENTIRE 3 months ago. (clue #1- I'll explain the clues in this intro in a future entry).

 Lately, I've felt moved to share my life experiences with others. Why? YOU have no idea; it's not like my life experiences are anything special or extraordinary that haven't been many others' experiences as well. I've loved, been broken hearted, suffered loss of MANY critical (and non) loved ones, been in financial crisis, been unemployed, been addicted, raised a child, felt hopeless (clue #2), recovered, etc.....do I need to continue? 

What makes me different?  It's the fact that I consistently need to add the component of taking care of my mental prosperity during these daily stressors.  Some people can cope, and some people can't.  SomeTIMES they can cope, and sometimes they can't.  Sometimes the people that love and care for them can cope and sometimes THEY can't, and then they too become broken.  Some people have support systems, and some don't.  This is now my support system.  No, OUR support system, because I am certain that I am not alone here.  This is my reason for sharing, so that others who feel like they are afraid to face their illness can be empowered in a number of ways.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so I decided that today was the perfect day to introduce my Lifestyle Blog ('they' made me classify it; and since I'm not a mental health professional, I can't call it such).  Anxiety, depression, social disorder, bipolar disorder, and alcohol/drug abuse, are some examples of mental health disorders, and/or stressors that lead to mental health crises.  We are here to break the stigma and help each other thrive AND survive by operating in our mental prosperity. We all put a lot of emphasis and hard work into our financial prosperity (as we should!) but not enough into our mental prosperity. I just returned from a work related conference, and we had an excellent motivational speaker on the last day.  Normally I would try to head out a little early (hey, it's a lot!), but I did the dutiful thing and stayed, despite the heavy rains making me nervous about going over those bridges I hate (clue #3).  

But of all of the quotes, taglines, and anecdotes from his speech, I took away this nugget:  I AM NOT INTERESTED, I AM COMMITTED!  Therefore here, we are committed to taking care of ourselves and taking care of each other!  Trust me, I need your help with this journey, so please return often. 

 Visit often for new posts that cover every facet of your well being and personal development sure to improve your life first and foremost, but also the lives of those who need and love you.  Let's grow together!  

If you feel you are suffering a mental health crisis, immediately contact your health professional oryour local crisis center; Suicide Prevention Hotline -1-800-273-8255.

Kim is a real estate professional from New Jersey who lives near the DMV area.