How It All Began...
Updated: May 1, 2021
PEAK+PINE Apparel began, when the world as we knew it ended.
When COVID struck in March 2020, both my husband (Clay) and I were working full time jobs, trying to save our newly established mobile marketing business, and homeschooling our two daughters (ages 7 & 5).
Clay was working out of the home office, while I was sequestered to work at the dining room table along side my two daughters.
That went as well as you can possibly imagine...not great!
Needless to say, my mental health took a devastating turn for the worst. I felt like the walls of my house were closing in on me and I couldn't breathe. Sitting at the dining room table, I had a bird's eye view of the main level of our house. There was clutter everywhere I looked making it very difficult to focus on my job and saving our business. I became irritable and frustrated. I was snapping at my family over the smallest stuff.
That's when Clay asked me if I was okay, and by asked, I mean he very lovingly said "WTF, what is going on with you?" To his defense, with the way I was acting he had every right to ask me that question, in that tone.
I knew in that moment that something wasn't right. Clay encouraged me to reach out to our family doctor to seek some advice. My family doctor took no time at all diagnosing me with Severe Anxiety Disorder. She said I likely always had it, but that pre-COVID I had coping skills to manage it. When COVID hit, all my coping strategies were removed.
With the love and support of my family, I sought professional help and reached out to a psychologist. FYI, my psychologist ROCKS!
She encouraged me to pinpoint my non-negotiables for my mental health. They are:
Physical Activity: I've been in the health and wellness industry for more than half my life. Moving my body every day is essential.
Time in Nature: There is something about being among the trees and mountains where my mind feels rested and my soul is grounded.
Alone Time: Believe it or not, I am a introvert. Well, I'm an introvert/extrovert. When I'm feeling overwhelmed or anxious, its a tale tell sign that I need some alone time to to re-energize.
I find a way EVERY SINGLE DAY to do one of the 3 things above. On a great day, I get all three at once. But discovering what I needed in order to cope, was absolutely essential to living with my anxiety.
PEAK+PINE Apparel was born to encourage more people to engage and connect with the things that matter most life: family, friends and nature!
It is my hope that by sharing my mental health struggles that it removes the shame of admitting that you are struggling and to seek help!