A Notebook of Love: A Tale of Balancing Your Personal Life Amidst Challenges
Amidst several challenges that include mental health illness, past trauma, and struggling to settle into life after deployment; there is a lot that needs to be balanced. If not taken care of on time, a lot of damage can be done to a person’s relationships, reputation, and mental health.
Reaching a similar conclusion, Luis Trivino decided to write his book, A Notebook of Love, as a tribute and sign of affection for his wife in the hopes of saving their marriage. As a US Army veteran suffering from PTSD and bipolar disorder, Trivino understands the importance of tackling daily life and balancing his relationships. Here’s some advice given by Trivino in his heartwarming book that can help you balance your personal life and relationship in the face of all adversities.
Love the Person, Accept the Illness
In most scenarios, we tend to accept the person with their illnesses and try to grow affectionate about their struggles. In his heartfelt account, Trivino reiterates the fact that it is important to keep loving the person and accept that their illness is a part of their life.
Trivino’s wife struggles with PTSD and borderline personality disorder, which can be extremely difficult to handle on some days. Trivino realizes she needs more assurance, time, and attention to feel loved. He accepts the symptoms, the struggles, and the results of her illness while continuing to love her as he did when he didn’t know she had the disease.
Breaking the Stigma of AMI
People from all walks of life can be exposed to any mental illness (AMI). However, there seems to be a stigma attached to men talking about their mental health. In his book, Trivino talks about how it’s important to remove the stigma and be comfortable saying that we have a problem and need help. Men need therapy and a support network just as much as women do. He talks about breaking the patriarchal expectation of men being strong on their own and how eliminating the concept of “being a manly man” is crucial.
Words are Weapons
Trivino places great importance on the use of words in his book. According to him, words can bruise and heal. Therefore, it’s extremely important to issue words with extreme caution. It’s important to think of harmful words before you say them and try to hold them back. It’s equally important to understand that saving relationships and healing is impossible without communication.
If you want more pearls of wisdom, like the one we discussed in this blog, it’s time you take a look at Luis Trivino‘s A Notebook of Love. Gain insight into his and his wife’s struggles, by placing an order for your book today!