clothing for mental health Archives

Two Mental Health Warriors Share What It Means To Be Fragile

Do you consider yourself to be fragile?

I recently collaborated with Katya and Cait, the founders of The Fragile Club. One thing we have in common is our shared passion for raising mental health awareness. We recognize that in order to do that, we need to encourage the conversation around mental illness. The more people who are brave enough to speak up about what they are battling, the less stigmatized it will be.

On both our sites, those suffering from mental illness are invited to speak up and share their stories, no matter how scary it might be. The Fragile Club also offers a line of merchandise, with profits going towards mental health organizations around the world. These simple pieces, including clothing, hats and even an adorable fanny pack, are branded with a single word “fragile.”

I took the opportunity to interview these two incredible women and find out more about what it means to be part of The Fragile Club.

1. What is the Fragile Club?

Katya: The Fragile Club, first of all, is a community. The place where we share our stories and support each other.

Cait: The Fragile Club is a socially conscious brand created to bring awareness to mental health. For every item sold we donate the profits to one of our partnered Mental Health Organizations. We know that everyone has their own powerful story that can impact individuals and we encourage sharing as a core way to empower and support.

2. In what ways does the Fragile Club help raise awareness for mental health?

Katya: We are building a network of people with social influence (celebrities and social media influencers) who share their experiences dealing with mental health-related problems in order to show that it is okay to be open and talk about it. Also, we donate part of the profit from sold products to Mental Health organizations around the world.

Cait: Through our ambassadors, collaborators, partners and community we aim to bring mental health into normal conversation. And it’s through sharing our individual stories that we can raise impactful awareness.

3. How do you two know each other?

Katya: We both work remotely in the area of digital marketing and advertising. We met not too long ago through friends in common during our travels in South-East Asia and stayed in touch since then. We have a lot in common – modelling, that we both do, remote work, travel, etc. Cait helped me with the content for a few projects and during one of the brainstorming sessions, the idea of The Fragile Club was born.

Cait: As Katya explains, we both have lots of experience working remotely and we met via mutual friends during our travels in South-East Asia and have stayed in touch since then. The first time we worked together I was creating content for some of Katya’s projects and we really enjoyed working together.

4. Aside from the Fragile Club, what kinds of things are you interested in?

Katya: As a full-time job, I do digital marketing and advertising and I’m absolutely loving it! Besides that, I’m interested in fitness, art and travels.

Cait: Both Katya and myself have been in the modeling industry. I love fitness, health, personal growth and content creation.

5. What inspired you to start the Fragile Club?

Katya: As an entrepreneur, I always wanted to create something that would bring some value to society. As I personally have experience with depression and anxiety, I want to support people who deal with mental health-related problems.

Cait: Katya and I both are very passionate about creating positive change and our biggest conversation has been around mental health. We wanted to create something in the mental health space and the Fragile Club fell into place.

6. Tell us more about your personal experiences with mental illness.

Katya: I had depression, hypochondria and anxiety. After my first thought that suicide isn’t a really bad idea, I went to the psychiatrist on the same day. Had to go through the therapy and course of antidepressants to get to the point where I am now. I lived with it over 3 years without understanding what’s wrong with me (most of the time I was thinking that I have some kind of disease and I’m dying). I’m happy it’s over.

Cait: My sister’s story has had a huge impact on me and is a big reason why I care so much about Fragile. She grew up a middle child of 4 girls and always felt like the underdog in our religious family. Along with being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, this lead to her drinking and getting into drugs by the age of 12, pregnant by the time she was 16, and leaving home at 17. Years later, when she was 22, my family learned that she had become addicted to heroin two years earlier. This was devastating to my whole family. My mom has been amazing in helping her rehabilitate and she’s been safely on methadone for the past few years.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried over my little sister and how much I just want her to know she is loved and she doesn’t have to feel so alone and outcasted. I want anyone who’s felt the way she has to know that it’s okay to be vulnerable, and for the people around them to know how to help the people they love.

Personally, I’ve been through periods of depression, anxiety, self-hatred and multiple mental breakdowns. I’ve had anemia and endometriosis which both has fed periods of depression. And I know what it feels like to feel like no one supports you and you don’t know what to do.

7. What does being “fragile” mean to you?

Being fragile means that you are human. We want to highlight that everyone around us has gone through situations that we can’t understand, much less judge. Being fragile means that you accept your pain and become stronger by owning it. It also means that we need to remember that the person next to you has struggles and pain of their own, no matter who they are.

8. What do you feel is the biggest barrier to proper mental health care?

There are many barriers, but the biggest we believe is the stigma surrounding mental illness. This is why we care so much about our mission to raise awareness and funds for mental health. We need both community and government to support each other as well as the funds to bring about proper treatment and research.

9. What do you hope to achieve in the future with the Fragile Club?

We want to bring this important issue to the forefront of conversation in society and culture. That is our biggest hope and dream.

10. How can others become involved in your mission?

Simply by making a single purchase donates funds to mental health organizations we’ve vetted and believe in their work. By someone wearing Fragile it helps to bring mental health to conversation in their daily life.

11. Anything else you’d like to add?

By removing judgement, we have room support and encourage each other to be the best versions of ourselves, and that includes understanding and supporting each other in our darkest moments.

For more information about The Fragile Club, to share your story on their site or to make a purchase and support mental health initiatives around the world, please visit http://fragileclub.com.

12 Mother’s Day Gifts That Will Encourage Self Care

Mother’s Day is a holiday where we recognize moms for all the amazing things they do for others.

Mother’s day makes us think about all the diapers changed, meals cooked, loads of laundry washed, books read and baths given and wonder how a mom finds time to do it all in one day. And it becomes very clear that she’s given something up in order to achieve that. That “something” is usually self care.

Self care is so important, but in the struggle to reach perfect mom status, we spend more energy than we have. This leads to mental health issues, stress, anxiety, rage, insomnia and even physical pain. In other words, it IS a big deal. And there’s no better occasion than Mother’s Day to focus on mom’s needs for a change.

This year, consider these Mother’s Day gift ideas for the mom in your life who might need a little extra help getting in that self care time.

Mother's Day Gifts That Will Encourage Self Care — *This is a sponsored post, meaning that I received compensation in order to promote some of these products, and it may contain affiliate links. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust.

Self care is so important for hardworking moms. And it’s not uncommon if she has neglected herself in order to take care of the needs of her family instead. Check out some of these self care inspired gifts to remind her that she is loved and recognized for her hard work.

Sleep is one of the best gifts you can give to a mother. Let her sleep in, let her stay in bed all day binge watching Netflix and get up with the kids in the middle of the night if need be. If you really want to prove how important her sleep is to you, invest in a brand new mattress. This one from Nectar comes with a forever guarantee plus a 365 day free trial so you can’t go wrong.

BlanQuil Weighted Blanket — BlanQuil by Nectar

If an entire new mattress is not an option, at least splurge on a luxurious weighted blanket. Using a weighted blanket has been proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress and insomnia. The deep pressure touch therapy will also help over touched moms find relaxation at the end of the day.

Shine The Light On Clothing — Shine The Light On

The modern, casual clothing line from Shine The Light On is perfect for lounging around the house, but also great for running errands, doing school pick ups or watching soccer practice. Bonus points for helping to spread mental health awareness! Use coupon code RUNINTRIANGLES15 for 15% off your purchase!

Essential Oil Diffuser Kit — Rocky Mountain Oils

Aromatherapy is an easy way for moms to experience healing benefits. Use a diffuser in the bedroom to induce better sleep, the office to encourage productivity, or the living room where she can go about her day and let the essential oils work their magic. And an aromatherapy diffuser that comes with a set of the most popular essential oils makes gift giving super simple.

Cowin Noise Cancelling Headphones — Amazon.com

One of the best (and only) ways for a mom to relax in a house full of children is by with some noise canceling headphones. A wireless, Bluetooth version will ensure she can go anywhere in peace and quiet. Make sure to create a playlist for her on Spotify and let her escape to a world away from snack making and diaper changing.

Thermea by Nordik Spa-Nature — Read more about thermotherapy here

I will promote a spa day for every single holiday, but a spa visit might not be an option this year. A Spa Finder gift card is always available and can be used at so many locations that when quarantine is over, she can have her pick.

Skin care is often neglected by moms due to the cost and time associated with it. So skin care gifts can mean a lot to a mom in need of some pampering. If you’re not sure where to begin looking, then consider products that are popular and trendy such as this Anti-Aging Vitamin C Serum that has over 3,000 positive reviews on Amazon. Or, the ever popular Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. If you’re looking for something organic, try the TOHI Skin Care Line from Rocky Mountain Oils.

HoMedics

She’s on her feet all day long so a foot massage is an awesome Mother’s Day gift idea. Not only does it encourage her to sit still for a little while, but it works out all the tension she’s been holding onto. This shiatsu food massager from HoMedics has various different controls plus heat!

Journaling can also be a great outlet for creativity. Bullet journals are all the rage right now and combine writing with art for a wholesome experience. A One Line A Day journal can help a busy mom keep track of her moods, memories and document exciting changes as the kids grow. It’s a great gift that would be easy to incorporate into any mom’s lifestyle.

Mama Bear Necklace Mother's Day Gift — Sincerely Silver

A main reason why moms neglect self care is because they feel guilty. So this Mother’s Day, make sure that she feels proud to take care of herself. Get her this mama bear necklace to remind her that she is like the mama bear, who stays strong in order to take care of her babies. And that taking care of herself is one of the best ways she can take care of her family.

7 Ways Moms Can Look and Feel Good This Spring

Putting effort into our outward appearance is not a sign of vanity. It has a significant impact on how we feel inside.

Being happy means aiming to both look and feel good, but it’s not always easy to do. For mothers, how we look is not always representative of how we feel (and other times it is all too accurate).

We may feel young and sexy and full of life but we look tired, worn out and as though we’ve given up on ourselves. Or alternatively, we may feel like we’re dying on the inside, so we overcompensate by layering on makeup to give the appearance that “everything is fine.”

This spring, as the weather begins to warm up, we should challenge ourselves to match how we look with how we feel.

7 Ways Moms Can Look and Feel Good This Spring — *This is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links which means that if you click on one of these links and buy a product, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Rest assured that I only recommend products that I love from companies that I trust. Furthermore, I am not a medical professional and nothing in this post should be taken as medical advice. I am simply a mother who has been there and lived to tell the tale.

Start From The Inside

How we look on the outside all begins with how we feel on the inside. Self esteem comes from within and if we are happy with who we are, it shows in a physical way. If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or substance overuse, then the first place to start is therapy.

Working with a therapist, either in person or online, can help you manage everything that is creating self-doubt or a poor self image. Online therapy in particular, is extremely convenient, especially for moms.

Schedule your online or video therapy sessions over the winter, ensuring that you get the most out of spring and summer.

Shine The Light On Clothing | My Dog is My Therapist — Shine The Light On – The Leah

Focus on Health

Weight issues are some of the most common hurdles to looking and feeling good. As mothers, we’ve stretched and shrunk, been cut open, torn apart and pieced back together. Our bodies have changed in so many ways and it can be difficult to accept it as it is now.

One way to look and feel good is to forget about the extra skin on our stomachs or how much we weigh and just focus on being healthy. Exercising to stay healthy is different than exercising to lose weight or tone muscle. Don’t worry about counting calories or inches, just try to eat healthier food and incorporate vitamins and nutritional supplements to avoid deficiencies.

If our main focus is on being “healthy” rather than being “fit” there is less pressure on us to meet certain goals and we can learn to love our bodies again.

7 Vitamins and Minerals All Women Need To Be Healthy — .

Find Strength

In addition to being healthy, we also need to feel strong. Strength comes in many different forms. We can train ourselves to be physically strong by joining a gym, lifting weights, swimming, or playing a sport. It’s important to find emotional and mental strength, as well. Try meditation, journaling, art or aromatherapy.

Being strong, both physically and mentally will inspire confidence and a sense of pride in ourselves.

Meditation Tips for People Who Hate to Meditate — .

Make a Statement

Your outward appearance tells the world about you, so what is it you want to say? Make a statement with your appearance by choosing clothing and accessories that speak to you. This “Be Kind” Necklace is a simple and elegant way to remind yourself and others of the power of kindness (get 15% off with code FRIENDS15).

Clothing lines like Shine The Light On create pieces that help raise awareness about mental health. Modern, minimalist messages imprinted on soft, luxurious fabrics make it simple to spread messages of hope and acceptance wherever you go.

In addition to looking good while making a statement, a portion of the proceeds from the Shine The Light On collection goes towards mental health initiatives – so you can also feel good knowing that you are helping to end the stigma of mental illness.

Click here to see the stunning clothing line from Shine The Light On and get 15% off with coupon code RUNINTRIANGLES15

Shine The Light On - Be You.Bravely — Shine The Light On

Take Care of Your Skin

You don’t need to do your hair and makeup to look and feel good this spring, but you should always take care of your skin. Glowing, healthy skin looks good from the outside and can make a person feel good on the inside.

As mothers, when we feel over-cuddled and overstimulated after a long day, it’s our skin and sense of touch that suffers. This is why caring for our skin plays such an important role in how we look and feel. Plus, the act of massaging lotion onto our skin can stimulate our lymphatic system and help keep our bodies healthy from the inside.

So splurge on a good, all natural skin care line to make sure that you’re not coating your skin in chemicals. Soak in a bath filled with Epsom salts to help soften and relax your muscles. Use sunscreen all year round, especially when you plan to spend longer amounts of time outdoors.

And make sure that you schedule yourself enough time each day to perform your daily skin care routine.

How to Reset When You're Feeling Over touched — .

Change is Good

Try a new look this spring. Cut or color your hair, try out a new clothing style or color that you would never normally wear. Get a piercing or tattoo, eyelash extensions, permanent makeup or micro-bladed eyebrows. You don’t need to go so far as getting plastic surgery, but if there are specific problem areas that have always bothered you, then consider booking an appointment with a doctor or dermatologist to discuss your options.

Don’t be afraid of change, though it might take some time to get used to. Only make changes that are truly something you want to do, and never in an effort to please anyone else or be someone other than yourself. Changing something about your outward appearance can make you feel mysterious, spontaneous and empowered.

Deciding to change something about your appearance should remind you that you are in control of your body and what happens to it.

Comfortable Is Beautiful

“The mom look” is normally one associated with comfort and function. But comfortable can also be beautiful so don’t feel like you need to trade one for the other. It is entirely possible to look good and feel comfortable at the same time, as long as you choose the right pieces.

If you feel uncomfortable in your clothing, whether it’s shoes that pinch or a waistband that’s too tight, you will act uncomfortably. So just bite the bullet and get rid of anything that you hate wearing, no matter how expensive or “designer” it might be.

Being comfortable in your own skin is the best way to show the world your confidence and beauty.

Shine The Light On - The Struggle is Real — Shine The Light On