Tag: Ashley Smith

Case Study: Ashley Smith Part Three

Case Study: Ashley Smith Part Three

Give us ideas on how to cope with setbacks and bounce back. It couldn’t have been all sunshine for you every day. How can we survive the rainfall to see the rainbow?

When I was diagnosed, my doctor recommended two pieces of advice: 1) control my stress and 2) take my medication. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with doctors and therapists to uphold effective treatment plans. In addition to working with my health team I’ve developed self-care rituals to help me stay accountable to my wellness demands.

I encourage you to consider counseling and practicing a wide range of those stress reduction techniques that works for you to minimize daily stressors. For instance, exercising, getting enough rest, journaling, talking to someone, listening to inspiring talks, meditation, taking care of a pet, and working on personal hobbies and projects.

To overcome my bad days I take a moment to reflect on my issues then practice healthy coping tools to reset and restore my energy. This helps a lot and demands commitment. Sometimes after I’ve utilized a lot of coping skills I still can’t manage. Then I go back to my treatment team to tweak my medication regimen in order to get back on track. This might not work on the first attempt, but I’ve kept at it and right now I can say I’m in a good mental space.

Also, self-awareness and self-care routines are essential to mastering recovery. When you can identify your triggers and warning signs you can better equip yourself and loved ones on how to best support you on bad days. Developing plans that help restore better days by examining what works for you to recover from medical setbacks. I hope you will continue to use your coping strategies even when you’re feeling well. Recovery is a lifestyle.

I’d like to end here by having you give followers a favorite positive affirmation.

“We can. We will. We must.” – Eric Thomas

Then tell us how they can buy your new and other books and read your blog.

After self-publishing seven books, I wrote: In Her Own Ink an author’s guide to achieving a well-crafted manuscript. After publishing my first blog book, What’s On My Mind? A Collection of Blog Entries from Overcoming Schizophrenia, Foreword by Christina Bruni (2014) a few people approached me with their book projects. Ever since then I’ve facilitated writing workshops.

What distinguishes this creative workbook, In Her Own Ink is I’ve interviewed five authors who share their writing secrets at developing books. The objectives of In Her Own Ink are to help writers minimize the many challenges to creating, organize manuscripts, structure their chapters and keep readers hooked with our quality material.

I offer tips on creative ways to engage readers and to enrich the book development process with a friendly approach to creating your rough drafts. I encourage you to purchase In Her Own Ink. Take the leap to thrive in 2025 with your book design. In 2025, I started In Her Own Ink Publishing to resume my book coaching classes. Here are some ways to stay connected:

Case Study: Ashley Smith Part Two

Case Study: Ashley Smith Part Two

Do you think peers can succeed as Entrepreneurs with their own businesses and why?

I believe everybody can manage their own businesses and be successful at it including my peers in recovery. Managing our own businesses will help us juggle wellness and work schedules better. Also, because we are capable and competent to enhance work performance. It’s better to work harder for ourselves making money based on something we love, are skilled at and can manifest.

Currently, I’m working as an independent contractor and peer counselor (certified peer specialist). I work with individuals who have a diagnosis and encourage them to tackle health and personal goals. I’m able to create my own work routine and avoid being micro-managed.

In fact, I start my day with self-care practices. I get ready, worship and listen to motivational speakers to boost my energy. I dive into my work in the afternoon. Then rest. Return to work for a couple of more hours in the evening. Afterwards, I shut down my workday and regroup in order to do it again the next day. Having control over my time throughout the day allows me to incorporate self-care and aim to find a balance between work and personal plans.

As entrepreneurs we can properly dictate our work schedules, recovery and lives. Working helps build skills which can boost self-confidence. Peers would be successful at entrepreneurship because we will master a skill that we created and control the work day. Permitting time to include wellness habits. That way we can maintain our wellbeing and strive for ongoing success.

What specific habits and skills should a peer utilize to earn an income on their own?

To be a great entrepreneur we must uphold a strong mindset. Valuing determination, self-motivation and have a thick skin. We must be able to accept “no” and keep going despite setbacks. Therefore, we must master the skill of resiliency.

Being self-aware and holding a wellness routine helps me press forward through my work days. Specifically, I use various productivity tools. I keep an agenda and organize my thoughts early on in the day.

I manage my wellbeing and work progress by keeping a “realistic journal.” Aside from the typical Things to Do List. In the realistic journal I record accomplished tasks. Opposed to be overwhelmed by my long Things to Do List. The realistic journal motivates me to keep striving to complete duties. It’s a confidence-booster. Also, a record that we can refer back to. I might note I’ve responded to certain emails, printed documents in preparation for review and took a walk – those activities among others helps me stay productive, focused and well.

I’ve coined the term that you can Be Your Own Boss even if you work for another company not your own. What can you tell peers from your own experience as a paid Peer Specialist about how to survive and protect your mental and physical health when you work for and with others?

Finding balance between wellness demands and work is still something I’m working on. However, I’ve improved at it over time, and you can too. Here are some tips you might consider practicing in the workplace.

Sometimes I take a quick walk to transition from one task to another. In the past, I’ve done that in the parking lot of my employer. Other times I’ve journaled. Get to work a little earlier and journal prior to the start of your work shift. That way we can regain clarity to proceed with different assignments. Also, I’ve had office accountability partners. Checking in with them helps because it can be therapeutic for oneself to reflect on emotional concerns and daily wellness goals.

Identifying stressors before they become significant obstacles is key to overcoming daily challenges. Knowing when to pause, take a moment to digest your day and reset can increase productivity. You can reset within a small amount of time. For example, taking a brisk 10 minute walk on your break, journaling before starting work or on lunch. Sitting in meditation or prayer at your desk for a moment at work can help reset and recharge energy and focus. Develop self-motivation skills. I do this with affirmations and listening to motivational speakers daily. By taking care of our needs throughout the day we can be more efficient at work and feel good about it.

Case Study: Ashley Smith

Case Study: Ashley Smith

Altruistic and Ambitious Advocate

In this blog I’m going to feature Case Studies of peers living in recovery who are role models for forging our own path in life and succeeding at a career. Our first Case Study will be in 3 parts to cover the full story.

In 2008  Author Advocate Ashley Smith started her anonymous Overcoming Schizophrenia blog. Since then she’s used her real name to blog and publish 7 books. I met her at a film screening for a video on recovery that she was featured in.

Ashley studied business in college before her breakdown. Altruistic while ambitious she’s not afraid to share her story to give peers a shot of confidence to pursue our own goals unabashedly.

I’m taken in by her choice of the purple outfit for the cover of her new book. Purple is a color that symbolizes royalty and spirituality. How fitting for a peer whose devotion to Spirit and using affirmations has helped her get ahead.

Part One:

It’s been 17 years since you first clicked publish on your first blog entry. What exactly enabled you not to quit and keep going?

My blog, Overcoming Schizophrenia, started as an online diary about my diagnosis and to recall my experiences as an advocate. Now I blog for others wholeheartedly. I aim to be a beacon of hope and offer a sense of direction and motivation to keep pressing onward.

However, it’s hard to be consistent with blogging for me but I’ve challenged myself this year (2025) to write one blog article each week. I want to continue the conversation on ways to trump the stigma of mental illness. Further assisting peers and caregivers on their paths to wellness. I’ve grown a lot in my recovery and want to share my life story. Leading others to understand and believe that a fulfilling life in recovery is possible.

What can you tell peers who have a dream or goal of their own just starting out?

Recovery is a lifestyle and your goals are attainable. Remember to take small steps until you gain momentum and are comfortable increasing your progress. Aim to develop a routine to maintain balance between self-care and your responsibilities. Self-care is essential to managing ourselves. To be our best and well to tackle work and goals full force.

Talk about the role that support plays in our lives—either through our family, friends, treatment providers, or a chosen family or others we interact with.

Having a support system is vital to staying committed to my wellbeing. My family plays significant role in my wellness. They’ve been my foundation of strength. They keep me accountable and give me the support I need to keep pressing forward.

I’ve worked with the same treatment team; my doctor for over 12 years and my therapist for over eight years. They understand my needs and are dependable during crisis.

I have a lot of peer support too. Participating in organizations such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and the CURESZ Foundation. NAMI allows me to partake in different leadership roles. I’ve facilitated workshops and support groups.

I encourage you to get involved in a group that you can grow with. A place outside of the home but feels like home. This type of support is challenging to find but consider your church, 12 step support groups, local NAMI affiliate, and organizations where you might volunteer to gain assistance and someone to confide in. Everybody needs support to survive and thrive in life.

Fighting for Recovery at Work – Part 2

Guest blogger Ashley Smith continues her series on 5 Steps to Fighting for Recovery at Work:

Third, ask for accommodations at work. When my symptoms were bad, I reduced workhours. While this option is controversial because we may not want to disclose the fact that were having health issues, seeking accommodations should be considered. Accommodations may look like reducing hours, workload, taking more breaks, and sick leave.  How can somebody work when they cannot function?! Also, some companies offer mental health or self-care days, employment assistance programs, and benefits that is family and medical leave. 

Steps 4 and 5 to follow in second blog entry.

The fourth step is vital to the recovery journey. That is your support system. When going through it at work it is important to stay connected to others. Loved ones may ask: are you okay? You looked stressed out? Do you need to take a break?  Therefore, let your friends and family know that you need more support. Lean on more than two people that way you’re not putting too much on one individual. Stay in the loop with people by text and other electronic channels. Send a selfie picture for them to see your hair, eyes, and facial expression—these may seem like subtle cues, but your loved ones know when you’re off balance by your presentation, which other people might overlook.

Also, your punctation in text messages may seem different. Do a video call or just talk on the phone. Your tone of voice could let your closest supporters know you are going through something. When you visit them in-person carry out activities that you both enjoy. For example, cooking, playing cards, walking, watching your favorite shows or movies, etc. Other ways to get involved may include getting involved in a support group, going to the park, and coffee shop, etc. Staying connected is very important. It is critical to the recovery journey because we all need support to thrive in life.

Finally, acknowledge the need to change your routine. In the past, I recognized how my self-care routine was not a priority and this effected my overall wellness. Therefore, I practiced the tips I outlined above: 1) look at your early warning signs, 2) discuss concerns with your health team, 3) seek accommodations at work, 4) gather supporters for assistance, and 5) develop a new routine. Being intentional about self-care needs, support, and treatment are essential to fighting for wellness at work.

Again, I encourage you to look at therapy to strengthen coping strategies. I’ve created many coping tools with my therapist over the years and even though I may become challenged at work or in other areas, I recycle wellness activities. In fact, my top self-care priorities right now are prayer, therapy, journaling, walking, checking in with a family and friends, and resting. Everybody’s focus may be different, but the struggle is real, and symptoms are too. Still, stay hopeful and connected with your network. If necessary, ask for accommodations. Continue to believe you will overcome situations with mental health and get back to work in a good place.

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To learn more about Ashley Smith visit her blog, Overcoming Schizophrenia and purchase her lasted blog book, What’s on My Mind? Volume I, Revised Edition. The blog examines her life in recovery. Ashley discusses symptoms and alternative coping strategies. She empowers others with hope. Her blog book, What’s on My Mind? Volume I, Revised Edition, is a collection of blog articles from Overcoming Schizophrenia (2008—2013), that explores how she learned of her diagnosis, became a mental health advocate, and manages recovery. Ashley Smith is a former state NAMI Georgia board member, state trainer, and group facilitator. She serves on the advisory council of the CURSZ Foundation. Ashley works as a peer counselor known as a certified peer specialist (CPS) in Georgia. Read more about Ashley Smith:

Blog: http://overcomingschizophrenia.blogspot.com/ Books: www.amazon.com/author/smithashley

5 Steps to Fighting for Recovery at Work

Today I’m featuring a two-part series of blog entries that guest blogger Ashley Smith is taking over to post. She has been blogging on her own for over 10 years. Here Ashley writes about how to fight for recovery at work. Steps 1 and 2 start off the series.

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5 Steps to Fighting for Recovery at Work:

Fake it till you make it. That’s how others tried to motivate us to get the job. This mindset motivates us in the short-term, however, it doesn’t meet the demands living with mental illness. Symptoms vary, but no matter the struggle they are all severe because it effects the ability to function in the workplace.

I understand the challenges all too well. Despite living with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, which is schizophrenia and bipolar disorder combined, I aim to manage employment. Yet, working continues to present problems because the illness affects my thought process and behavior. Some of the symptoms I experienced over the years included suspiciousness, anxiety, bizarre beliefs, catatonia, seeing and hearing things that others don’t, high energy, and depression. I take medication, but pills can’t control all the complexities of a brain condition. Still, I fight for wellness and tackle symptoms with support.

What do you do when symptoms make your job difficult to manage? Here are five steps to pressing forward in your recovery: 1) Identify the early warning signs, 2) talk to your treatment team, 3) discuss accommodations with your employer, 4) rally your support system, and 5) create a new routine.

First, common early warning signs of mental health may look like poor sleeping patterns, a change in appetite, challenges with maintaining house chores, and a shift in moods that effects relationships and performance at work. Whenever I’m not sleeping and eating well, I suffer through the workday. How can someone work long hours, concentrate on tasks, and complete their job duties effectively when they don’t feel well? Generally, I keep my home presentable. However, a cluttered house can translate into a cluttered mind. Eventually, poor management of self-care, house chores, and eventually work performance. Prior to symptoms at work, you may have exhibited some of the early warning signs of imbalance. Seek professional support.

Second, discuss changes in meeting daily self-care needs, work deadlines, and other challenges with your treatment team. I’ve had to adjust the dosage of my medication. And later recognize that I wasn’t taking my medications as prescribed. Once, I took a medicine that is best taken at night with other prescriptions in the morning that effected my energy level at work. Other times changing dosages and medication didn’t resolve issues. In addition to that, I increased therapy sessions to process daily stressors. I encourage everybody to consider therapy because it is a great asset to recovery.

Steps 3, 4, and 5 coming up.

Reentering the Workforce After a Breakdown

Ashley Smith blogger extraordinaire is featured today as my Guest Blogger talking about:

Reentering the Workforce After a Breakdown.

In her own words she’ll talk about her experience plus give tactics that could help peers.

How to Reenter the Workforce After a Breakdown:

I worked many jobs prior to my first breakdown at age 20. I started working when I was 14 years old. I struggled to maintain jobs, but didn’t understand why. I didn’t know I had a diagnosis. My last breakdown occurred in 2018. There were a series of stressful events that led to my meltdown.

After the hospitalization I participated in weekly therapy sessions and developed an extensive health plan. I worked hard to build myself up to return to work. I carried out a range of steps to restore wellness. I managed a daily routine which consisted of walking around my neighborhood for 15 to 45 minutes, journaling, listening to entrepreneur empowerment talks on YouTube, and reciting affirmations along with my prayers. I kept all doctor and therapy appointments and continued to take my medication.

I developed a variety of projects such as my book, Coping Takes Work. I also took on small jobs as a freelance writer and blogger. When I built up my confidence I steadily applied for jobs. I utilized my network and let associates know that I was looking for work. A great resource that I utilized for my job search was reading Christina Bruni’s book, Working Assets. The book is filled with important tips and strategies on how to re-enter the workforce while living with a diagnosis.

It took several months to get back into the workforce due to my health concerns, COVID-19, and job availability. I didn’t take the first job that was offered to me, because I weighed my pros and cons. I was mindful of my family needs and the demands of the position. When I accepted my job I made a commitment to focus on stress management techniques to maintain wellness in order to work.

Yet, keeping a daily self-care ritual is challenging. However, I learned to recognize when it’s time to change my routine. Currently, I manage my health by practicing stress management skills. My stress management plan consists of self-reflection time, confidence-building activities, and participating in therapy.

Finally, as I reflect on my experience I urge peers to create an individualized plan of action to maintain their wellness and jobs. I support alternative healthy coping skills that help people. Lastly, I define recovery as staying in your good place, therefore, create that good place by managing your stress and taking control of recovery and life as best you can.

–Ashley Smith

Read her blog at Overcoming Schizophrenia here.

Coping Takes Work

I gave Ashley Smith the author of the book above a review of her book for the back cover.

I recommend you buy What’s on My Mind? Coping Takes Work. The book gives great information about coping with challenges while living in recovery.

While I do reveal details of my own life in my 3 blogs I carefully choose what I write to send out to everyone in the world.

Ashley Smith’s unvarnished honesty is the selling point of her blog and her books.

Coping Takes Work is even better than her first book that I wrote the Foreword to.

We need more peers like Ashley Smith who are willing to stand up and speak out to tell our stories

You can read her Overcoming Schizophrenia blog. I have been reading her blog since 2008 when she first starting keeping it with no photos and using an anonymous name.

For 12 years she’s been going strong as a go-to blogger on the topic of mental health and recovery.

Coping Takes Work Amazon page.