Nick Ouellette
Why the title, “Out Of My Mind”? As life went on, I found myself getting progressively quieter. Not in a humble and calm kid of way. But in a fearful and anxious kind of way. My deep rooted fear of man created a pit of anxiety that completely shaped the way that I viewed myself and the world. My words and actions became rooted in a desire to self-protect and maintain an image that I believed kept me safe. I felt like I was on the outside looking in almost everywhere I went. I knew I had struggles that I needed to talk about but I worried about the potential rejection I would face if I were to talk about them.
In 2024, I found myself at a breaking point. I knew that I needed to get help yet I was still trying to control the narrative. I started opening up but the anxiety only increased as I knew the deeper rooted issues needed to be talked about. In June of 2024, I had a mental breakdown and was quite literally “out of my mind”. By God’s grace, this is exactly what needed to happen for me to truly get better. Through intensive counseling and therapy, I began to share my story. My deepest fears and my most distressing thoughts. It was in the sharing of my suffering that others opened up about their suffering. This gave me incredible hope as I found that what I was facing was not unique to me. Yes, the situation and circumstances looked different but the story was the same: Life is hard and I am not meant to walk it alone. God is faithful and He is with me through it all.
Being “out of my mind” lead me to the realization that I need to get things out of my mind, which has helped me stay in my right mind. It is my prayer and hope that by sharing the stories of my suffering through this blog, you would find hope and be comforted in your suffering.
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Hope for the anxious mind
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Categories
My identity is as a follower of Christ, therefore my worldview is the Christian worldview. Follow along for personal stories and reflections on walking with the Lord through the many ups and downs of life. Biblical minded and gospel-focused.
“Mental health” was a topic that I didn’t give much attention to. It wasn’t until I found myself in a “mental health crisis” that I really started reflecting on what it means to be mentally healthy. Not being a mental health professional, I am not looking to provide mental health advice. Every story is different. Follow along as I continue to understand more of what this means for me personally, what I’ve learned so far, and misconceptions I’ve had.
Getting married at the young age of 21 was a joy. However, just like most people, I entered into marriage with unrealistic expectations. There has been no greater experience in life that has challenged me and grown me more than that of the marriage relationship. Each day is an opportunity to love selflessly and lead boldly. Follow along as I discuss the lessons learned and the stories that continue to be written.
Work is hard. No surprise, as life itself is hard. Working in a corporate role has been filled with many ups and downs. What does it look like to glorify God in your work? How do you find peace when the pressure increases? How do you wake up and get your job done when you’re barely hanging on?
I love to read. Whether fiction or non-fiction, I love the way that stories can connect your experience to the experience of another. Reading exposes my incorrect beliefs, reinforces correct ones, and helps me think outside myself. Follow along for reviews on the books I’ve found significant and how they have challenged me to grow.
Journaling has become a daily habit. It helps me get my thoughts out and think clearly. Follow along for personal reflections on life. No specific topic, no specific plan. Just food for thought.