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New Shoes Make Me Happy In The Pants

I spent a lot of years in active addiction, wearing yesterday’s clothes and grime. When I first got clean, I did a lot of dressing up so that the outside looked good, in hopes that you wouldn’t see past the facade to realize that the inside was a fucked-up, shitty mess.

Today my outside is more of a reflection of what’s going on inside. I feel whole, I feel worthwhile, and I feel good, therefore I try to look good.

There’s something to be said about the feel of a well-made cashmere sweater or pair of silk sweatpants, or even an uber-comfortable cotton t-shirt that fits like it was made for me. There’s just something nice about wearing fancy pants and fancy shoes to go grocery shopping. I lived too long in the filth and desperation of addiction to deny myself some little luxuries today. 

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #Help With Addiction
    • #A Dose Of Happy
    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #happiness day
    • #Addiction
    • #Recovery
    • #happiness
  • 1 month ago
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Project Happy: Summer Camp Memories

February is all about The Happy.

We here at Band Back Together know that winter and the holidays can feel overwhelming, The Depression starts rearing its ugly head.

We’re saying goodbye to depression and hello to Project Happy.

So, The Band, what makes you happy?

What brings a smile to your face? Is it a memory? The thought of the future? The brilliance of a sunset? We want to know!

Last summer, Mr. E went outside and I caught a whiff of the air on the porch. It smelled like rain, which means that six drops probably hit someone’s windshield and the weatherman was calling it the storm of the century. My olfactory memories kicked into high gear and the next thing I knew I was awash in the relatively distant past and thinking about camp.

SUMMER CAMP!

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #childhood
    • #A Dose Of Happy
    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #Project Happy
    • #things that rule
    • #happiness
  • 3 months ago
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One Day I’m Gonna: No More Holding Back

Dreams.

We all have them. Some dreams are as simple as getting a full night’s sleep or getting an extra twenty minutes in at the gym. Others are more complicated - going back to school, making partner at your firm, taking that dream cruise through Alaska.

But we all have them. Sometimes, our dreams are what keep us going through the very darkest of times.

So what are your dreams, The Band? What will you do one day?

I have a lot of fear.

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #eye of the motherfucking tiger
    • #fear
  • 3 months ago
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Look How Far We’ve Come, The Band

2012 - what a year.

For some of us, it was a year of dreams fulfilled, questions answered and our way, at long last, found.

For some of us, it was a year of loss, sadness and longing for what we once had.

For all of us, it was a year in which we learned, loved, and grew.

What did 2012 mean to you?

Look how far we’ve come.

For some reason, that phrase makes me think of those Virginia Slims ads from the 80s. You know the ones: “You’ve come a long way, baby!” Then, I think of those ads for Sterling Cigarettes that said shit like “Bang & Olufsen is just a stereo” (What does that even mean?!) or some shit like that, but all of that is irrelevant.

I have now traumatized myself with fresh memories that I should probably go back and address in my letter to my younger self. The 80s were truly a decade that keeps on giving, huh?

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #with the band
    • #addiction
    • #recovery
    • #feelings
  • 4 months ago
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One Day I’m Gonna Dream

Dreams.

We all have them. Some dreams are as simple as getting a full night’s sleep or getting an extra twenty minutes in at the gym. Others are more complicated - going back to school, making partner at your firm, taking that dream cruise through Alaska.

But we all have them. Sometimes, our dreams are what keep us going through the very darkest of times.

So what are your dreams, The Band? What will you do one day?

I’ve been sitting here trying to decide what I want to do “One Day” for days now.

I’ve had wish lists for as long as I can remember, but some of those things have changed since I got sick. Losing Misty had me screaming at the injustice of a life cut so very short.

Last night, I read of another fellow spoonie who had lost their battle. She? Had Rheumatoid Arthritis. I went to bed terrified of my illness for the first time in a year.

And suddenly, it all clicked.

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • #chronic illness
    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #happiness
  • 4 months ago
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New Beginnings

Dreams.

We all have them. Some dreams are as simple as getting a full night’s sleep or getting an extra twenty minutes in at the gym. Others are more complicated - going back to school, making partner at your firm, taking that dream cruise through Alaska.

But we all have them. Sometimes, our dreams are what keep us going through the very darkest of times.

So what are your dreams, The Band? What will you do one day?

New Year’s has never really meant much to me.

Sure, it’s the day I hang up a new calendar, but that’s about it. I have been Wiccan for decades so my New Year is celebrated at Samhain (Halloween), so my cleansing/new beginnings thing usually happens then.

This year is different.

For one thing, at Halloween I was in the process of moving. I had to be out on the 31st and the entire month was chaos. November wasn’t any better as I tried to settle into a life of living with my parents and dealing with the fact that I was too sick to work or do anything productive. December was spent sleeping and trying to heal.

Now I am finally settling in and my brain is doing what it is supposed to do: find solutions. 

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #health and wellness
    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #anxiety
    • #happiness
    • #mental illness
    • #schizophrenia
  • 4 months ago
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One Day I’m Gonna: Be Awesome

Dreams.

We all have them. Some dreams are as simple as getting a full night’s sleep or getting an extra twenty minutes in at the gym. Others are more complicated - going back to school, making partner at your firm, taking that dream cruise through Alaska.

But we all have them. Sometimes, our dreams are what keep us going through the very darkest of times.

So what are your dreams, The Band? What will you do one day?

Misty was a wonderful person and an awesome Band Mate - I consider myself lucky to call her a friend. Even when she was having a less-than-stellar day, she always made time to pick up someone who was down (even if it ended up giving them a craving for pie).

She had so many dreams of the things she was gonna do one day, in honor of Misty, I’ve put together a list of my dreams; the things I’m gonna do:

This one’s for YOU, Misty.

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #eye of the motherfucking tiger
    • #happiness
  • 4 months ago
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BB2G World Tour: January #onedayimgonna

Dreams.

We all have them. Some dreams are as simple as getting a full night’s sleep or getting an extra twenty minutes in at the gym. Others are more complicated - going back to school, making partner at your firm, taking that dream cruise through Alaska. 

But we all have them. Sometimes, our dreams are what keep us going through the very darkest of times.

So what are your dreams, The Band? What will you do one day?

I should probably be like this all year, and not just in January when everybody is making New Year’s resolutions. One thing I’ve learned in recovery is that every day is a chance to start over. Every day is a new start on life.

I think Misty would want me to live like I believed that. I think Misty would want me to think about the shit I’m gonna do one day and then do it today.

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #Friendships
    • #with the band
    • #fear
  • 4 months ago
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BB2G World Tour - One Day I’m Gonna: Because One Day I’m Gonna

Dreams.

We all have them. Some dreams are as simple as getting a full night’s sleep or getting an extra twenty minutes in at the gym. Others are more complicated - going back to school, making partner at your firm, taking that dream cruise through Alaska. 

But we all have them. Sometimes, our dreams are what keep us going through the very darkest of times.

So what are your dreams, The Band? What will you do one day?

In honor of my friend Misty and her blog One Day I’m Gonna. This is for you, my beautiful friend. 

One day I’m gonna…

…fully confront and overcome my insecurities.

…stop doubting myself because Misty believed anyone could do anything.

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #how to cope with anxiety disorders
    • #how to increase self-esteem
    • #Bringing the Happy Back World Tour
    • #hope
    • #self esteem
    • #loss
    • #anxiety disorders
    • #anxiety
    • #generalized anxiety
  • 4 months ago
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Pulling Myself Up

The effects of bullying can last long after the abuse has stopped.

This is her recovery:

It’s been nine months.

Nine months since I was bullied and verbally abused with the full knowledge of my superiors. Nine months since I tried to get away from it, only to have those same people follow me and steal everything from me.

As a result, I had a major breakdown, the kind with paranoia, hallucinations, the whole shebang.  My shrink encouraged me to apply for disability because he was afraid I wouldn’t be able to work anymore. I was paralyzed by my fears, afraid to leave the house, afraid I might see someone or something who could hurt me again.

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #adult bullying
    • #Workplace Bullying
    • #Help With Bullying
    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #hope
    • #recovery
    • #agoraphobia
    • #mental illness
    • #stress
  • 4 months ago
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Look How Far We’ve Come: Responsibility

2012 - what a year.

For some of us, it was a year of dreams fulfilled, questions answered and our way, at long last, found.

For some of us, it was a year of loss, sadness and longing for what we once had.

For all of us, it was a year in which we learned, loved, and grew.

What did 2012 mean to you?

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #economic struggles
    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #recovery
    • #happiness
    • #shame
  • 4 months ago
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Recovery For Me

Recovery.

Such a simple word with such a variety of implications, not a one of them simple.

In November, the Band focused upon recovery - from anything. Part of getting through the traumas, the addictions, the mental illnesses is to focus on the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel and focus upon new coping mechanisms, new ways of life, and recovery.

So, The Band, how are YOU recovering? What are you recovering from? How are some ways you cope while recovering?

Adjustment Disorder…I constantly forget what it’s called. I seriously just had to google it.

I’m recovering from my divorce. I can’t get over it, honestly.

To keep this brief, I can say this: ultimately, it was the right thing for my marriage, ending it. My husband abused me emotionally. We weren’t meant to be.

And, yet? I.can’t.get.over.it.

I’m the one who asked him to leave. I’m the one who filed. I’m the one who took all the steps, who did all the right things. I should feel empowered and healthy and happy.

Right?

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #abuse
    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #divorce
    • #self-image
    • #self esteem
    • #grief
    • #recovery
    • #anxiety
    • #cognitive distortions
    • #depression
  • 4 months ago
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DOH: My Sailor Is Home!


<a href="http://bandbacktogether.com/post/3533//"><img src="http://static.bandbacktogether.com/media/images/2012/03/DOH_Button.001_1.jpg"></a>

There’s not much else to say, except:

HE’S HOME!!

He came home in time for Thanksgiving and we’ll enjoy every minute he’s home until he has to leave again. 

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

What’s your Happy?

Don’t think you have one? Look harder. Something will make you smile today. 

We want to know! 

Share it with the world on your blog and then link up below, tweet it out (hashtag #DOHMonday #WithTheBand) or share it on Facebook. Whatever you want to do, do it. Just find a bit of happy in this Monday! 

1.Make This World Mo Betta’ 

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #Marriage And Partnership
    • #A Dose Of Happy
    • #Bringing The Happy Back World Tour
    • #Happyness
    • #Love
    • #Military Matters
  • 5 months ago
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Dose of Happy: Koshka


<a href="http://bandbacktogether.com/post/3522//"><img src="http://static.bandbacktogether.com/media/images/2012/03/DOH_Button.001_1.jpg"></a>

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Source: bandbacktogether.com

    • #A Dose Of Happy
    • #Bringing The Happy Back World Tour
    • #Happyness
    • #Happiness
  • 5 months ago
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What Can I Say About Recovery?

Recovery.

Such a simple word with such a variety of implications, not a one of them simple. 

This month, the Band is focusing upon recovery- from anything. Part of getting through the traumas, the addictions, the mental illnesses is to focus on the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel and focus upon new coping mechanisms, new ways of life, and recovery.

So, The Band, how are YOU recovering? What are you recovering from? How are some ways you cope while recovering?

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    • #bringing the happy back world tour
    • #eye of the motherfucking tiger
    • #addiction
    • #drug addiction
    • #recovery
  • 6 months ago
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About

Band Back Together is a group weblog that provides educational resources as well as a safe, moderated, supportive environment to share stories of survival. Through the power of real stories written by real people, we can work together to destigmatize mental illness, abuse, rape, baby loss and other traumas so that we may learn, grow, and heal.

On Band Back Together, we put a face to things not normally discussed. We are the face of depression. We are the face of baby loss. We are the face of mental illness. We are the face of abuse. We are the face of rape. We are the face of SURVIVORS and we are proud to be here. We wear our scars proudly, like battle wounds because everything we've survived has made us who we are today: better, stronger, and smarter.

It's time to pull our skeletons out of the closet and make them dance the tango.

We will no longer let our secrets fester inside. We will no longer live in the dark.

All are welcome.

Me, Elsewhere

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The Band Back Together Project, its host, editors, moderators, staff and volunteers are not responsible for any decisions you make directly or indirectly as a result of content on this site. This site does not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical or emotional problems. The site is not intended to replace the care of a doctor, psychologist, counselor, or other health-care professional, nor the advice of legal counsel. . Effector Theme by Carlo Franco.

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