Posts by Cole Swanson
How to Listen With Compassion and Understanding
I’ve come to realize that one of the most important forms of connection is communication and how we communicate with one another. I don’t simply mean by speaking or being verbal – you can convey connection through your body language and vulnerability. For those struggling mentaly, it may be difficult for them to provide any…
Read MoreBe Thankful for Yourself
It’s the time of the year where we remember what we are thankful for. While Thanksgiving itself is a controversial holiday, the idea of giving thanks is quite nice. So, in honor of this, I want to talk about gratitude toward yourself, others, and what we each have. Personally, I have much to be…
Read MoreLiving with Suicidal Ideations
I’d like begin by saying that if you or a loved one have thoughts about suicide or ending your own life please reach out the Crisis Prevention Hotline at their new number: 988**. The topic of suicide is sensitive and nuanced. It’s something that we whisper when speaking about, as if it’s a terrifying…
Read MoreBeing Alone with Anxiety
I’ve decided to write this in the present moment rather than attempting to articulate what anxiety feels like and what being alone with anxiety feels like. If I try to think back on moments when I was anxious they become elusive, as if my memory was erased and I never experienced it; the moment simply…
Read MoreMental Health in the Workplace
7am: Wake up, make breakfast, relax. 8am: First meeting of the day. 9am: Write your to-dos from updated emails over the weekend. 9:30am: Second meeting of the day. 10am: Begin your first task of the day. 11am: An unexpected situation arises that requires your immediate attention. 12pm: Finally back to your to-do list and still…
Read MoreFinding Pride in Being Bisexual
June is Pride Month. For these 30 days we recognize those who have fought – and are still fighting – for LGBTQ+ civil rights. During June, there is an extra amount of self-expression, and many come together in solidarity with those in the LGBTQ+ community. But, what happens after these 30 days? Life doesn’t change…
Read MoreAm I Bad at School or Am I Struggling With My Mental Health?
At 21 years old, I was diagnosed with ADHD. For most of my life, up until that point, I had been flailing about, working extra hard to meet standards that other kids were meeting easily. Middle school and high school were exhausting, and college presented its own issues. For all those years I dealt with…
Read MoreWhy Men Ignore Their Mental Health Out of Fear of Being “Weak”
Men: strong, unfearful, brave, logical. As a man, these adjectives are what I think of when I think of society’s version of men. We are painted as figures that are gargantuans to fear and never stymied by anything. We persevere; we are strong and courageous all the time. But when it comes to dealing with…
Read MoreMen & Mental Health: How to have an effective conversation
It’s a Sunday afternoon, you’re feeling uneasy and some type of anxiety is bubbling. You’re not sure where it’s ascending from, but it’s becoming harder to keep to yourself. You want to talk to your roommate about what’s on your mind, but you’re nervous. Men aren’t supposed to talk about their feelings and you think…
Read MoreFind Long-Term Self-Love through Vulnerability
There is a small – but significant – difference between self-love and self-care. You can care for yourself without loving yourself, but you can’t love yourself without caring for yourself. A paradox? Possibly. I have personally experienced moments where I care for myself by exercising, trying to eat well, or doing other things that are…
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