Happy Places, Happy Faces

Those with PTSD need an escape. Sometimes we suck at making healthy choices- I feed my feelings fried food & chocolate- I'm also a recovering addict of 13+ years (GO ME!!! Keep comin back, it works if ya work it). I hit a nervous breakdown of EPIC proportion in April. The kind that will be remembered in my family for years to come. Legendary, epic, total & complete meltdown. I had one escape- docent training at the local zoo. 13 people, all passionate about animals & conservation, keeping my mind away from the DANGER!!! signs. 

I've since graduated the docent program. Actually graduated May 9, left for Europe May 10. Happy place #2 but my first choice ALWAYS is Europe. I spent a week in the Czech Republic (meh), 4 days in Vienna (stunning), 8 days in Berchtesgaden & Salzburg, 3 days in Füssen where Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau castles are located, 5 days in Amtzell where my family is & my incubator was birthed, & 5 days in Hamburg saying good bye to my tante (aunt) & seeing my older but sufficiently cooler cousins. All that travel. All. By. My. Self. 

If you're a survivor reading this, I've just graduated to a level of badassery that one only dreams of. It was amazing. It was empowering to maneuver my way thru strange places, different languages, really weird food, all left to my own devices. Bad. Ass. 

I realize that Euorope isn't practical for all y'all. I realize for some, happy places are in your 4 walls. Some PTSD sufferers are agoraphobic. I've been there. I have to watch myself to NOT get there. Point is, we all need to find that one spot that makes us tick, makes us feel anything other than fear/anxiety/depression. 

What's yours?