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Welcome 

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Hi! I’m C.

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I’m a 34-year-old creative empathy who lives with Mental Illness, trying to live a dopamine life here on the Central Coast/Darkinjung Land.

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I live with Depression, Anxiety and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I’ve been in ‘recovery’ for a loooooooong time and I wanted to create this platform to share, to create, and to be a source of inspiration for all the people out there just like me.

I am not a doctor, or a therapist, I don’t have a degree in anything but my own lived experience, and the lessons I have learned a long the way while trying to reprogram.

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I was once told ‘you need to be wealthy to be healthy’ and I think that is the farthest thing from the truth. While a lot of mental health supports out there can cost a pretty penny, there are so many alternatives, lifestyle choices, activities, and practices that can be implemented in your life that don’t cost an arm and a leg or ones that are free! I wanted this space to be where I share resources, supports, tools, activities and lessons learned and discovered. I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers, but there is so much information out there that hopefully this can be a place where things can be compiled for you to explore. I will always source the information I share so you can check out the original site.

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So, what is ‘Dopamine Living’ – according to ye old Google ‘Dopamine Living is a lifestyle that is healthy and engaging in activities that increase dopamine levels. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that affects mood, motivation, and movement.’

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For me it’s a play on words for living a healthy, fulfilling, safe, balanced, caring, contributing life. For me it is about functioning when I am good and functioning when I am not. It’s about having supports in place, knowing where I can seek help, and knowing how and when to refill my cup. It’s about being able to function in my relationships and give to those I care about and to my community, to show up at work, to maintain my home, and to do all of that I need to do to take care of me so I can continue to give. This used to feel like such a selfish thing, that I was trying to focus on myself, but I now know that I can’t pour from an empty cup. I can’t support others and be present with others if I have nothing to give.

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The way I think about it it’s like being a plant. I can give oxygen and shade and sustenance, but I can’t do that if I’m all shrivelled and dehydrated. In order to give I need to have sufficient sunlight, to have plenty of water, I need nutrition, healthy soil and no pests. I need those things in order to function and to give. To be my best self for others I need to take care of me.

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Mental health and mental illness can suck! But there is always hope and you are not alone.

It’s nice to meet you, and thank you for joining me.

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We acknowledge Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. ​

We recognise the individual and collective expertise of those with living and lived experience of mental health, alcohol and other drug issues and or suicidal crisis. This also includes those who love, and have loved and care for them. We value the vital contribution they make by sharing their unique experience to achieve better outcomes for all.
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