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Sarah Elizabeth McMillan

MA, MSW, RSW

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trusting your sight

The TTC: a blessing and a curse

Posted on February 6, 2013December 31, 2018 by Sarah E. McMillan

Empty seats inside a subway car

One of the biggest drawing features for living in Toronto is the TTC. What a scary concept, but it is true for me and it seems to be true for a lot of others as well. When people have asked me how I am enjoying life in the big city my answer usually involves something … Continue reading The TTC: a blessing and a curse

Tagged accessibility, car culture, defensive, emotional stress, Toronto, trusting your sight, ttcLeave a comment

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This week I’ve noticed so many people starting to wear darker colours, long sleeves and sweaters. Seems like I’m not the only one who feels the end of summer in the air? I found myself this morning reaching for a black pair of pants even though it feels like 30 degrees today! I’m really excited for September and fall is my favourite season 🍁, but I don’t want to wish summer away. So instead I chose a light, colourful dress 👗 to remind myself to enjoy what we have while it lasts. #summer #seasons #consciousliving #presence #thrifted

Today is Ms. Isabelle Bun’s 8th birthday! 💗 Bringing her home was the best decision I’ve ever made. We’ve gone through plenty of ups, downs and health stuff together (including each of our eye surgeries). I am so lucky to have her by my side and let’s face it, to be owned by her 😸. Sound on for purrs! Xoxoxo @bravebun_ #catsofig #catsofinstagram #pettherapy #catlove #oneeyedcat #specialcat #permakitten

It’s only been 25+ years of living with #migraine but I’m excited to finally be on my way to (hopefully) getting a proper diagnosis and a better understanding of how to prevent and treat them. The only reasons I’m able to do this is because: 📌 I did my own research and asked for a referral to this specialist clinic 📌 I choose to live in a city where I am in close proximity to world class academic health care institutions 📌 I have a job that allows me to take time off in the middle of the day to attend medical appointments These decisions come at a price and that gets me down sometimes but I want to recognize that I have the #privilège to make them when others may not. #wayfinding #chronicillness #systemnavigation #accesstocare

Ohh, Monday. This past weekend was the first in over six weeks where I had no plans. Even though I've been really enjoying summer, last week I was starting to feel a bit burnt out. I was looking forward to spending some time in my own space with @bravebun_ , resting and taking care of myself. I've always loved my own space, but the other two do not come easy to me. Probably because so many of my recovery periods feel like they've been forced upon me (hello, 15 #surgeries and life with #chronicpain). I have a hard time quieting my mind, turning off my intellectual brain and not continuously imagining or strategizing for the future or re-living the past. At the same time I'm trying to hold #compassion for these tendencies. They are/were #coping strategies that helped me deal with the circumstances at hand. They also happen to be viewed as productive qualities (okay, maybe not re-living the past) which doesn't help, either. So what does restorative rest and recovery truly look like? I'm still learning that part. But an RMT appointment, a blank calendar, grocery shopping, apartment organizing and most importantly, cat cuddles seem like a good start. #weekend #mondayreflection #trauma #traumatherapy #selfcare

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