Linda Burby

I’ve lived 72 years, and in that time, I’ve gathered a wealth of life experience, knowledge, and skills. I consider myself fortunate to have known the joy of deep, meaningful relationships, both with those still in my life and those who are now cherished memories. I believe strongly in the healing that can take place […]

Sometimes we say, “I’m falling apart,” or joke, “I’m like a car losing one part, then another!” But let’s be honest—that ship has sailed. My fifth fall on April 5th at 6:30 took care of any counting game. And fall number five? That one was rough. I ended up with a T12 compression fracture and

“Self-care” is a phrase that has evolved over time, carrying different meanings depending on context. In the realm of mental health recovery, it encompasses every aspect of our well-being—cognitive, physical, emotional, and spiritual. On top of that, we each have unique variables—age, gender, health conditions, and life circumstances—that shape our experiences. At any given time,

Have you ever had a symptom that just wouldn’t go away, but you ignored it? If you’re aging like me, you don’t want to overanalyze every little thing that pops up. And if you have Bipolar II, like I do, monitoring that alone feels like enough to track! For months, I had a sore on

Journaling is a powerful tool for processing thoughts and emotions. Over 35 years ago, it was recommended to me as a way to better understand myself and my mental illness. My initial diagnoses were Generalized Anxiety and Depression, yet I had little understanding of how the prescribed medications were meant to help me. Over the

Three days of rain in a row. If the Black Dog hadn’t already been nipping at my heels, it came running now, teeth gnashing. It sunk its teeth into me, and it won’t let go. Do you know what the “Black Dog” is? It has symbolized depression as far back as Victorian times, referring to

Falling into a dark state is like descending into a place where time feels endless, and the weight of despair seems unbearable. It can last days, sometimes weeks. Occasionally, it’s so severe that I find myself questioning whether it’s all worth it. What’s especially difficult is the unpredictability—sometimes I can sense the change creeping in

I have many ideas and experiences that I’d like to share on my blog. Affirmations, quotes, and stories have helped me survive, heal and recover. Some days it may have been one quote, like a lifeline. Dear to my heart, “Hang on! This is the one. I figured out what it meant to me and

My first panic attack hit me when I was just 16, sitting in a high school history class. It was a bewildering and terrifying experience, and it marked the beginning of ongoing episodes of anxiety. By my early twenties, I was also battling severe depression, which would eventually lead to major diagnoses and the start