Fern and Fog

You know you’re on my mental health plan when…

1. You Don’t Just Have “A Routine”—You Have “A Routine That May or May Not Happen”
   Plans are great in theory, but life usually throws a wrench in them. If I can cross off even one thing from my to-do list without my world exploding, I count that as success.
2. You Get Really Excited About “Do Nothing” Days
   You don’t understand what a gift it is to just sit and not do anything. No emails, no responsibilities—just peace and quiet (or as much peace as you can get with kids and pets).
3. You Don’t Trust Your Brain to Remember Anything, So You Write Down Literally Everything
   Grocery list? Written. Dentist appointment? Noted. Random thought at 2 a.m. that could’ve been a genius idea? Jotted down in my phone. Forgetting anything is a disaster, so my calendar is my best friend.
4. You Spend More Time Trying to Find Calm Than Actually Being Calm
   It’s not about feeling calm, it’s about searching for calm. You know, like “Okay, I’m going to try deep breathing while my dog barks at the neighbors.” Or maybe lighting a candle and pretending everything’s fine.
5. You Use Humor to Survive, But Also Realize It’s the Best Coping Mechanism
   Some days, I find myself laughing at the chaos. I mean, what else can you do when everything’s spinning? If you’re not laughing, you’re probably crying, and that’s a much harder mental health plan to manage.