Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain and the Giant Elephant in the Room 

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Every Wednesday I send a newsletter to my subscribers including deep thoughts about life and what’s happening in the world.

After I sent the below newsletter, a few subscribers requested I add the verbiage to the blog. They were hoping to send the link to their loved ones.

If the below thoughts helps one person, then I have done my job as a blogger. If you are interested in joining my newsletter entourage click here.

I hope you will join the community!

Read below for my thoughts on suicide and depression.

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Are You Okay?

My initial plan was to write about my Nashville trip and really get you guys pumped about summer travels.

My editorial calendar for June literally reads “get readers excited about summer explorations.”

But then Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain committed suicide, and I realized a more important topic needed to be covered. Many of you have written me your personal stories / struggles and I couldn’t ignore the topic. Depression is that giant elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about.

So this newsletter will be different. 
I hope that’s okay with you.

As a member of the media and a blogger with a platform, it’s important to take a stance. I read so many conflicting theories about their suicides that it really grinds my gears. We don’t know what’s going on in a person’s head and speculating get us no where.

Remember that good ol’ fashioned saying “don’t judge someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.”

We all have shit going on in our lives.
I have shit, you have shit, we all have the shits. 
But seriously, do you want to be judged for what you are struggling with internally?
No one does.

People love to judge and talk about other peoples problems, but we never know what someone is battling internally.

The conversation that needs to happen is how can we move the needle on mental health.
With school shootings and an increased suicide rate, the opaque veil on mental health needs to be lifted.

Let’s remember the good about Kate and Tony and their contributions to our society. Regardless of how they left our world, they made an impact in many of our lives.

Kate Spade was someone who embodied cheer and sparkle. Her fashion house created a cult religion for our generation and adorned the arms and desks of people across the globe. She was a mother and someone who wanted to empower others through her art.

And Tony, yes I called him Tony as I watched him span the globe for years. I would literally tell friends “gotta go, Tony’s on TV” because watching him became a ritual. I had a mild obsession with his show, didn’t you? He taught us compassion for different cultures and united the world through food and conversation.

Two legends.
Their lives seemed flawless.
But depression doesn’t discriminate.
It’s an invisible bitch. 

We need to start asking our loved ones “are you okay?”

As we saw with Kate and Tony, it doesn’t matter the show they put on for the world, if we see something different in our loved ones we need to reach out.
Once we open up we will begin to see real struggles.

Many people don’t seek help because they are ashamed of their situation.

It’s okay to ask for help.
It’s bold. 

Let’s begin asking the questions we’re afraid to ask. That’sthe only way we will move the needle.

So let’s keep Kate and Tony’s spirits alive – buy one of her colorful bags, plan that trip you’ve been wanting to take, and eat that weird looking food!
Remember to treat yourself and others with kindness and compassion. 

We are the only hope we have if we want to see change.

But more importantly, you know I’m here for you in your brightest hour or during your darkest hour, because I would be nothing without you.

+ Read more Deep Thoughts  
+ And crack a smile and read about my First Kiss with Ryan Gosling

XO
EV

** If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, The Suicide Prevention Lifeline has 24/7, free & confidential support for people in distress, prevention, & crisis resources: 1-800-273-8255

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