Falling Shorter Than You’d Like

There are so many things in the world that we are amazing at, average at, and terrible at. Now, I like to focus on the things that I’m amazing at, and I’m sure you do too (and I’m sure there are a lot of things that you’re amazing at,) but no matter if you’re great at something or awful at it, there is always the chance that you’ll fall short. Whether it’s a test that you thought you got a 100% on but you actually got a B, or you were working on a project at work that didn’t go as planned, we’ll occasionally fall short. For the longest time, I couldn’t get passed that and would hold myself to the unrealistic task of being perfect all the time, but I’ve recently had a change of mind. In this episode, I talk about how it’s okay to fall short on things, and it can actually be something that really helps you figure out what you are good at, and how to prioritize your time.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg Also, I wrote a book! https://www.amazon.com/Trying-Myself-Scott-Christopher-McKinney/dp/1735125105/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HJRD1Q2OGBG6&dchild=1&keywords=trying+not+to+kill+myself&qid=1595216485&sprefix=trying+not+to+kill+m%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

Mentally Preparing for the Future

Hi! I hope you’re ready to sit back and relax while we talk about the future. A friend of mine recently told me that to feel better about the world and their current situation, they just stopped thinking about the future, and instead focused entirely on the present. That inspired me to make this episode, where I really dive into how I look at the future, how it’s probably not the most productive way to do it, but how I’m hoping to change my mindset to be a more happy individual. The future can always look scary, especially when you have so many things that you hope to accomplish in life, but taking it one step at a time, knowing that what you’re doing is the best thing for you in the moment, is probably the best way to fend off those fears. Thanks for listening.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Also, I wrote a book! https://www.amazon.com/Trying-Myself-Scott-Christopher-McKinney/dp/1735125105/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HJRD1Q2OGBG6&dchild=1&keywords=trying+not+to+kill+myself&qid=1595216485&sprefix=trying+not+to+kill+m%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

Setting Deadlines for Yourself

Okay, hear me out with this one. No one likes deadlines, I know. At work or school, they stress you out. If you miss one, it can feel very defeating. But dang, when you accomplish whatever deadline you have, it feels pretty good. That’s what this episode is all about! Setting realistic deadlines for yourself is a great way to give yourself a reason to get out of bed and do something. In the past, I’ve talked about setting the goal of simply getting out of bed and showering, and although that is a worthwhile and very difficult goal on some days, it’s important to have other things that keep kicking you in the butt to keep moving forward, too. If you don’t you might not be able to find a way to move beyond simply getting up and showering.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Also, I wrote a book! https://www.amazon.com/Trying-Myself-Scott-Christopher-McKinney/dp/1735125105/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HJRD1Q2OGBG6&dchild=1&keywords=trying+not+to+kill+myself&qid=1595216485&sprefix=trying+not+to+kill+m%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

When Your Motivation Takes a Vacation

We all know the feeling. You feel inspiration to chase something new and exciting in your life, and the second you get ready to work on it, the motivation disappears. This thing that was driving you mere seconds ago is gone, and now you feel empty and directionless, a fleeting feeling in its place. That’s what this episode is about. I talk about what happens when the motivation vanishes without the courtesy of saying goodbye, and you’re left with nothing but the desire to lay in bed and eat chips.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Also, I wrote a book! https://www.amazon.com/Trying-Myself-Scott-Christopher-McKinney/dp/1735125105/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HJRD1Q2OGBG6&dchild=1&keywords=trying+not+to+kill+myself&qid=1595216485&sprefix=trying+not+to+kill+m%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

Lessons From the Avatar

I’ve been watching Avatar: The Last Airbender, and through all of the awesome fighting and world building, the character that sticks out most to me is Uncle Iroh. The once great Fire Nation General turned tea-loving mentor is a complex man, and no matter the situation, he always brings the calming presence of wisdom. In this episode, I talk about some of the quotes he had throughout the show, and how applicable they are to our lives on the outside. I never thought I’d make an episode of a mental health podcast about a children’s TV show, but hey, I think it turned out pretty great! Thanks for listening.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Also, I wrote a book! https://www.amazon.com/Trying-Myself-Scott-Christopher-McKinney/dp/1735125105/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HJRD1Q2OGBG6&dchild=1&keywords=trying+not+to+kill+myself&qid=1595216485&sprefix=trying+not+to+kill+m%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

What It Takes to Be Happy

Ever wonder what the “Scott McKinney Solution to Happiness” (Patent Pending) is? Well here it is in all of its glory! But for real, I talk about what combination of things make me happy, how I discovered this magical combo, and how with work and hope, you can find what things you need to feel better too. Plus, my book, Trying Not to Kill Myself, is coming out on Friday, July 17th, so please check it out then!

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Feeling Like a Burden

There is no clear-cut definition for depression that encompasses everyone who struggles with it since it affects everyone differently; however, there are similarities that exist within most people that have it. It’s easy to feel like you’re going it alone, especially when swamped by suicidal thoughts, but I learn each day that most people are more like me and you than you’d think, such as feeling like a burden to those around you.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

The Effects of Burn Out

We’re all stuck at home. We’re all tired of being stuck at home. We’re all stressed for a multitude of different reasons, whether it’s from being unemployed and searching for a job, missing family, or just exhausted at our jobs. It’s a hard time for everyone, and in this episode, I talk about what’s been a struggle for me and how I’m trying to overcome it.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

The Joy of Progress

Hello and thanks for tuning into another episode of Acceptable Madness! In this episode, I talk about progress, and how progressing or improving in something that you care about feels delightful – and maybe even happiness-inducing. Yeah. It’s that good.

I also talk about how the Carousel of Progress broke down when I was riding it with my family, creating the most ironic thing that I’ve ever lived through.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Why People Like Things

Hello and thanks for checking out another episode of Acceptable Madness! Although the title of this episode seems kind of weird and super not detailed, this episode is about exactly what it says. People like different things for different reasons, and for the first time in my life, I was able to understand that instead of quantifying or questioning it, simply accepting that people like something is enough – and there’s no reason to fight that.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

What If You Don’t Have Hobbies?

I know that in the past, I have talked about hobbies as almost entirely creativity-based ventures, and I believe that that is shortsighted. In this episode, I talk about hobbies of all shapes and sizes, ranging from watching the massively overrated Tiger King documentary to baking, and how no matter what you do with your free time, the only thing that ultimately matters is finding things that make you happy.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Trying Not to Kill Myself

This week, I talk about the new eBook that I’m going to publish in the coming weeks titled Trying Not to Kill Myself. I read a few of the shorts that are in the 100 story compilation and talk about what compelled me to write them, along with how they made me feel. I hope you like what you hear! If you do, keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram to hear updates about the project. I’ll also mention it here so that all of you wonderful podcast listeners are kept in the loop. Thanks for your support over the years and for the coming years as well.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Thinking of Those That You Miss

As we enter another week of quarantine, I talk about how I’ve been holding up so far and how I’ve coped with the isolation. Along with that, I look for the positive in the mess that the world seems to be in right now, and then decide to never talk about Coronavirus on my podcast again because information is coming from all directions and I want this to be more of a break from that as opposed to another source of worry. Thanks for listening, and keep an eye on my Facebook page (link below) to see when I release my first self-published book, Trying Not to Kill Myself. Stay safe and healthy out there.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Quarantined and Cooped Up

It’s a weird time for everyone right now. Stores, restaurants and businesses are closed, people are stuck at home, and most everyone is scared to leave their house, even if it’s for the most essential of items. Right now is a hard time on everyone, and trying to stay happy through all of it is difficult as heck. So this week, I talk about how I’ve been trying to stay happy and healthy while I’m locked in my apartment with Alex, a cat and a dog with more roundworms than I ever hoped to see in my whole life.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Living Amidst the Coronavirus

I know everyone has already been talking about COVID, but I thought I’d throw my hat in the ring too. Stay healthy out there and try not to let this thing scare you too badly. It’s obviously a big deal, but so is acting rationally and doing everything in your power to handle it responsibly and without screwing over your neighbors (stop hoarding toilet paper.) Here are my thoughts on the virus and how it’s affected me mentally.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Old Happiness Vs. New Happiness

In a recent episode, I talked about what happiness means to me and how I see it affecting other people. In this episode, I talk about why I was at least partially wrong in that belief, and how I’ve been trying to evalute what happiness really means to me now.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Simple Things Pt. IV

Why part four? Well, because I’ve written about the simple things in the past in a book I’m currently editing with Alex. Hopefully it’ll be edited in the coming months but I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself, plus, I don’t want this to be an advertisement. I just wanted to let you know I wasn’t going crazy. This week, I talk about the simple things that make me happy. I’ve been having a rough few weeks and this podcast isn’t a platform for me to vent, but rather a platform to share tips and tricks on how to be happier. So, I want to talk about what’s been making me happier. I hope it can help you like it helps me.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

The Depressed, Anxiety-Filled Thoughts of Scott

Welcome to another episode of Acceptable Madness! This week, I just talk. I know you’re probably thinking, “but Scott, all you do is talk every week.” Well, that’s obviously true, but instead of following some theme, I go over what’s been going on in my life, how it’s been making me feel and how I’ve been trying to cope with it. Depression isn’t a sexy topic, but I think sharing some of the most unpleasant thoughts straight from the source can beincredibly helpful. I hope this episode can give you insight into my head, and proves to you that, no matter what, you’re never by yourself. I care for you. Lots.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

Learning to Stay One Step Ahead

When I started this podcast, it was a mess. The volume was too low, I lost my train of thought to often and I didn’t really know where to put it. Now, one year later, it’s gotten significantly better, so much so that it feels like someone else entirely is making it. The only thing that blows my mind more than that is how different I know it will be in another year.

This week, I talk about learning and how getting better at something can be a rewarding experience that can take your mind off of the depressed thoughts that you might be struggling with.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg

What Does it Mean to be Happy?

Since I made this podcast, I’ve explored different aspects of depression and how it has affected me. It hasn’t always been a peaceful ride, and it certainly hasn’t always been fun, but it’s helped me to better understand my mind. While I’ve made all of these revelations, something has stayed constant that I will never be able to escape entirely; I’m still depressed. Recently, I’ve thought a lot about what it actually means to be happy, and wondered if I’ll ever be able to feel what others define as happiness, or if it will be some modified, duller version that I’ll be forced to live until the end of time.

In this episode, I talk about how I feel my life is different from those that don’t struggle with depression, and how difficult it will be to move forward.

I am not a doctor, so do not treat this as therapy or medical advice. I just do this podcast with the hopes that it can help some people.

If you’re interested in other content by me, follow me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcceptableMadness

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acceptablemadness/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpiT4JjAzziR-EODaBDPaJg