You learn a lot about yourself during the down time of a deployment. You learn even more when you have COVID and quarantined from everyone else other than those who also tested positive.

This bogus study basically said doctors who post photos of themselves in bikinis is unprofessional. FEMALE doctors of course. The ridiculous stigma of being intelligent and sexy at the same time still doesn't exist with females. Well, young doctors didn't sit quietly.

Seriously, if you can't pick yourself up there won't be someone there to do it for you. I struggle with this and I have to smack myself with that hard fact. If I can't put effort into coming out of a slump, then even with help I won't get any better.

A column from the Wall Street Journal discusses peace of mind. I think we can strive for that, maybe even experience moments of it, with the help of self-care.

"The Elusive Quest for 'Peace of Mind'" by Stephen Miller

Back from my trip and full of worries. We all get stuck in these moments of anxiety about everything and it feels like you're the only one. It doesn't take much to realize other people have issues too. Then it's kind of comforting knowing it's not just you. Self-care shouldn't be a chore. It should be something that doesn't have an end result, but ultimately frees your mind.

*I'm not a therapist. I just see one and like to share.

After really thinking about what I've experienced, it's more than I had thought. Fortunately, I have more times when I shut it down or had it taken care of by leadership. It's an unfortunate reality no one likes to talk about. This doesn't mean all soldiers are bad. There's a lot of good ones who've helped me and keep doing the best I can to help others and prevent things that have happened to me. There's a lot that I didn't get to in this one, so stay tuned for more on this.

Shaming the fat shamers. Is this really necessary? Heidi Klum is getting accused of fat shaming for hitting the x buzzer on a fat teenage dancer. *eye roll* People have a right to their opinion, just as people have a right to dislike those opinions. Validation is something I work to not need or even desire. Other people don't need to approve of your thoughts and opinions. It can be a process to be okay with yourself and unapologetic about it, but it's worth it. You don't need people living rent free in your mind giving you approval to be yourself.

Fireworks have been a regular thing in my neighborhood and I still hate it after all these years. Reading 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking' by Susan Cain has been eye opening. The more I learn about myself the more I can handle myself. Because sometimes I feel like the most difficult person to deal with is myself.

YouTube channel After Skool had Jim Carey on several years ago, but the message still applies to today. When your ego gets in the way of being your true self. Why do people try SO HARD to live up to those impossible standards manipulated by computers? I've learned to recognize when I spiral into the 'gotta be perfect' mindset and then I realize - it's time to chill and take a step back.

Yes, that was a reference to Bill and Ted - who also have another movie coming out. J.K. Rowling has a crappy tweet to make her point. I'm so tired of cancel culture. It's scared people into not having real conversations anymore. The brave ones that do get 'canceled' and actually fired for daring to be on the 'wrong' side.