The D.R.E.A.M. x Sypher collaboration will be live soon so make sure to leave your e-mail below in order to get exclusive news on the release date.
Nothing is more uncomfortable than change. We all love our to operate within our comfort zones and for some of us who battle with anxiety and adjustment disorder, it can be much worse to deal with. These past (7) months have been some of the most tumultuous months in my life. The growth of this brand has been very welcomed.
The fact that we have already raised over $67,000 in 6 months (last year was $82,000 in total) and that we have been able to work with multiple Charitable Organizations to help facilitate numerous Mental Health causes while also providing free therapy for those in need is mind-boggling. Never did I think in my wildest dreams we'd be where we are right now. I can never take my own advice of believing and trusting in myself but we did it. We are here and now I need to admit something.
I've lost sight in what DREAM truly is.
The best part about DREAM was community. Whether it was hopping into our affiliates streams to chat and donate subs to supporters or speaking one on one to people who are struggling with their mental health or even when we used to reach out to all supporters who purchased something with a personal call or text saying thank you...it was the best. Unfortunately, it has been so hard to do all this while maintaining the brand.
I have messed up. I have not been myself at all lately because I have been dealing with the swarm of change happening right in front of my eyes and I was too stubborn to bring on people to help me with all this growth and change. I was scared...but do you blame me? I didn't want to let this go in the wrong hands and have someone or something destroy everything I have built. However, by holding on myself for so long I did just that but now the time has come to step back a little bit.
This is my message to you all that the everyday work of all the lifting I have been doing the past 7 months will now be given to the people I trust around me. With double the customer service staff on board, a new social media manager, two people in our warehouse, a social media coordinator, and three of the best designers I have ever had the pleasure of working with are now taking a lot from me so I can get back to what I used to do...and that was inspire and build this community.
My relationships with day one supporters and sponsors feels like they've all gone away from me. I wasn't able to put time into people because I was so worried about everything else. If you are reading this and are thinking to yourself "is he talking about me?" you are probably correct, I am. I'm sorry I've been missing. I'm sorry I didn't come into your streams and do more to interact and build with your community. I'm sorry I didn't reach out to you to tell you how much you mean to me and this brand. I'm sorry I wasn't able to put my foot down on my emotions and these mental blocks that stopped me from taking a proactive approach in our relationship. I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you that buy you buying even something as small as a sticker that YOU helped not only contribute to saving a life but helped improve mine. I'm sorry I lost sight and I will never do so again.
In the coming weeks I will be training this team to make sure they run this the way I did, with love and passion. The brand owner should never be doing everything because it is a recipe for chaos and disaster. I will be going back to my regular role of building this community. Reaching out to supporters. Working closely with our NPO's to create programs to better assist you all. Hopping in streams and donating subs and giving out merchandise. Reaching out to creators to help make some awesome designs for a good cause. Also, giving my love and attention to Nightmares because I truly believe that it has the potential to do what DREAM did for a different audience (and some of the same from DREAM).
There is nothing I would love more than to make sure everyone I ever meet or work with is happy with me and what I can do for them. I have a hero complex and I always try to save others but I never focus on myself. It's time I do so and focus on doing the things I love.
DREAM is more than a clothing brand, it's a lifestyle and it's time I live that lifestyle with you all.
If you made it this far, thank you. If you didn't then here is a recap.
TL;DR
DREAM is still owned and run by me but our newly hired staff of Dreamers will take over day-to-day operations that made everything extremely hard for me to juggle with what made this brand special. Also, Nightmares is dope too.
Never Stop Dreaming,
Sammy C Sucu
]]>What I do need to tell you is that there is something wrong with me and I can't shake it anymore. It almost feels like no matter how much good happens to me or people around me I still feel awful. I go through episodes of imposter syndrome the way we all went through TV shows on Netflix in the beginning of quarantine.
I feel like I am nothing, a nobody. Sometimes I don't even feel my soul in my body. There is this emptiness that is consuming me like a black hole and I can't figure out why. Why is this happening? Everything is going so well. Everyone around me is so happy with everything me and my brand has done for them. But why me? Why can't I just smile? Why can't I let the past go? Why do I still search for more when I have everything I've ever wanted in front of me.
My kids, my wife, whatever friends I have left, all my family...they keep me happy but sometimes I feel like I'm just a disappointment to all of them. I should be able to do more but I can't. It's hard to be able to express these emotions without feeling invalidated all the time either because I'm not someone people would really look at as someone who deserves sympathy. I have it all. Beautiful wife, amazing kids, a roof over my head, a growing brand, a vision to keep pushing things forward, and a mind that never stops working.
But it's not enough....it never will be.
I relate so much to Superhero movies and protagonists in video games because I always want to be the one that saves the day. Even if it is going to negatively affect me I want to make sure that someone else is happy before I am. Maybe that needs to stop? But how? Have you ever noticed how the superhero really never gets their happy ending? It's happened before but it's all usually due to something that will only take place in a fantasy world and not in real life. Where is my happiness? What is my happy ending? Do I deserve one?
Maybe it's the pandemic. Maybe it's my constant battle with imposter syndrome. Maybe it's the fact that I keep comparing myself to people who are way above me. Maybe it's the major gap left by the friends I've lost contact with. Maybe it's the fact that so many bridges were burnt with people I love and respect. Maybe it's my culture. Maybe it's the fact that I get so much torment from people about the fact that I share a name with a famous content creator. Maybe it's the nasty troll comments on our Instagram. Maybe it's the fact that the biggest thing I fear in life is dying. Or maybe I was never meant to be happy.
As of this writing I am currently sitting in my new office with the lights turned down with a sad piano playing in the background off this YouTube playlist and this was the only way I could get out what I was feeling. This may be a cry out for help but I don't want anyone to worry about me. I am so fearful of losing my life that I promise to never cause any harm to myself or anyone around me. I'm just lost and I'm not sure where I can go from here.
Staring at this screen seeing all the things we need to do in order to keep people happy and get them their products on time weights on me heavy too. You have no idea how hard I work and push people to get things done faster for DREAM. It's so rare that you find a clothing brand (especially in streetwear) that cares so damn much about how fast they get items out. It's not about the hype here, it's much more about validating this idea that I can take this backwards industry and create beauty out of it that brings people together.
But why? Why did I bother if all I'm going to do is sit around and worry so much. I know I was always meant to work for myself but why didn't I just tuck my tail between my legs and rise up the corporate ladder. Maybe then I could have just shut off at times and not have to worry 24/7...but I know that wouldn't make me happy either. It all goes back to the idea that I will never be satisfied with anything and that is such a terrible feeling.
I'm not sure where this is all going to go but I really hope that whether it is me, my wife, or my kids running this that they can keep this message going until the end of time. I hate that I constantly feel this way and I know I'm not alone in this. I know a lot of you who are reading this are relating to most of the words I am saying and I want you to know that we are going to figure this out one way or another.
When you are done reading this please take a step back and evaluate where you are right now as I am about to do and figure out where you need to go in order to find happiness and make a plan to achieve it by any means necessary. I will do my best and fight as hard as I can for it and I hope I survive on my way to doing so.
Thank you for reading this and just know that I am working extremely hard to move mountains to make great things happen for not only the people reading this, but for the rest of the world. Together we will change the world, I am going to make sure that I bring my best self to make that happen.
Until next time,
Sammy C. Sucu
]]>It’s weird. COVID-19 was one of the biggest disturbances we had in the history of our world and it has thrown a wrench into so many peoples lives. Outside of the millions of people who have been sick because of the virus and to the thousands who have lost the fight to it, there are millions of people affected in other ways.
At DREAM, I have done everything I can to aid people in this fight. Whether it be donating masks, funding COVID-19 research, helping NAMI with creating their programs to help combat Mental Health initiatives in regards to COVID and so on. However, I know it can never be enough to help everyone out during this time and that’s what pains me the most.
As hard as I try, as much I do, it will never be enough...but I hope that changes. In April, during the worst part of the year for everyone, DREAM had it’s best month. Maybe it had to do with the TikTok that went viral, all the new drops, or maybe even the quality of designs I released but it taught me one thing, I can really do more to help. $8000+ donated, $1000 worth of masks, and more all in one month. That is 3 months worth all in one month.
DREAM needs to grow more. I don’t know how, but I do know when...and that’s now. Unfortunately, with the growth it has also caused a huge issue for me as now I have a lot more on my plate. The more people come in and learn about us the more people I have to potentially disappoint. The more people that may not understand how small this operation actually is. I take the good with the bad, but the bad hurts me a lot more than the good helps and I guess that’s thanks to my anxiety.
No matter what happens this month, or next, or the one after...I know one thing is true. DREAM is going to survive and thrive through these times.
Hopefully 2 years from now I can read this blog post and laugh while I am helping people by offering them world class benefits, live-able wages, and more. And hopefully, in 2 years I am building my own Mental Health programs to help remove the luxury boundary of therapy and help people get help when they need it.
One can dream big, and that dreamer is me. Although I have never felt more stress in my life, I know that this tough guy will last, and I know al of you will too.
#NeverStopDreaming
]]>2 years ago on Dec 1, 2017 I launched the DREAM website. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I had a cool logo and a really cool few designs to start with but I had no idea where it was going to go. My goal for the first year was to raise $5,000 in sales and I ended up donating $18,000 instead. Now I sit here proudly praising the fact that I’ve donated over $52,000 to multiple non profits organizations not only dealing with Mental Health Awareness but multiple other NPO’s that help raise awareness for other causes as well.
Originally, I thought DREAM would just be something I do on the side as a hobby. As of today, I wholeheartedly believe that I will be doing this full time in 2020 at some point.
It hasn’t really been announced yet but DREAM did partner up with Evolved Talent Agency who represents SypherPK, Benjyfishy, Clayster, Kitty Plays, and multiple other big names in gaming. This will be opening up a whole new world for DREAM in 2020 that will likely have me working on a lot of new projects in 2020.
Something else that is going to keep my time is this big announcement I have been teasing for the last few weeks on Twitter. Let’s just say there will be a new non profit organization and one that I can actually work closely with in order to make a HUGE impact in the likelihood of achieving all of DREAM’s goals.
I’ve worked tirelessly. I’ve had sleepless nights. I don’t really have much of a social life but I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world. DREAM really did change my life and I have to thank each and every single person who has ever supported this movement.
If you told me 2 years ago that DREAM would be where it is right now I wouldn’t believe you. I’ve tried and failed at so many things in life that most of my friends and family thought this was likely another of those things I try and quit at a few months later. Not this time.
2020 is going to be the biggest year for DREAM. There will be collaborations, events, pop up shops, and hopefully ways to interact with me and the brand at gaming and street wear conventions.
Thank you to all the Dreamers who have helped make this dream a reality. We are just getting started.
Never give up on your dreams.
]]>We at D.R.E.A.M. are very happy to announce this special Collaboration to Help Raise Mental Health Awareness with one of the most genuine streamers and content creators; SypherPK.
We will reveal all the designs soon. We wanted to share this with you all to let you know that we are all very happy to bring you something special to not only upgrade your closet but also bring more attention to our mission to help break the stigma.
The D.R.E.A.M. x Sypher collaboration will be live soon so make sure to leave your e-mail below in order to get exclusive news on the release date.
November 2017 was when Dreams Rule Everything Around Me (D.R.E.A.M.) was born. Two months before was when I came up with the idea to give this another try after trying to do something for raising Mental Health Awareness failed five years ago. Originally, DREAM was going to be HLD (Happiness & Love > Depression), but I was never able to fall in love with the name.
As mentioned before, I decided not to pursue Psychology and went into law. This decision was something that I wanted to do for all the wrong reasons. I never felt like I fit in. I felt like I was out of place and just on a different level compared to everyone around me. In March 2012, I decided to drop out, and that was my second time battling depression, and it was much worse than the first time.
During my battle with depression, I used a simple coping mechanism where I would stay up late at night and write down the things I wanted to accomplish in the next five years. "What do we have going on tomorrow?", "What do we have going on next week?". "How can I get to where I want to be and make everyone around me happy?" These questions helped me because I would do this every night. Eventually, I got to where I wanted to and knew I had to do more to help people who went through what I went through. Had it not been for my loved ones by my side, I don't know how I would have made it through those times.
Those things I wanted to accomplish went from dreams to realities. A husband, a father, a son that makes my mom and dad proud, and recognition of my skill set in the workforce. However, none of that was enough because the one thing I wanted to do was raise awareness for something I truly believed in; the importance of mental health awareness.
In November 2017, I kept thinking of what name would capture the message of my struggle. As a fan of hip-hop and street culture, I'm always inspired by the message of my favorite artists and personalities. I even recorded a hip-hop album when I was 16 (not dropping the Soundcloud here). After I thought of using the name Dream, I felt like it wasn't powerful enough. Then came to mind the name that stuck with me like a pimple on my nose when I was 12 years old during Class Picture Day; Dreams Rule Everything Around Me.
Quickly I made sure to trademark the name; I came up with a logo that would be basic enough to understand and fit. The logo is a cloud, but most people think it is a mountain, so I kept it up for everyone's interpretation.
As much as I loved the logo, I could never fall in love with it enough because it didn't portray the struggle, the passion, and the love behind D.R.E.A.M. So that is why I am proud to announce our new logo, The Dream Maker.
The Dream Maker is the new logo for Dreams Rule Everything Around Me, and it represents everything we stand for.
Astronauts don't become astronauts because they're forced to. Astronauts are a prime example of Dreamers. The idea of going to outer space to explore and discover new things is an incredible feat, and one that should be met with praise and that is why we chose to use a Space Helmet.
The Dream Maker is our symbol of faith, perseverance, and the desire to go beyond your wildest dreams.
The crack on the helmet is a symbolism of all the struggles we have had. We featured it on the Dream Maker to show how we're not afraid of showing those scars because it is a part of what makes us who we are.
The stars glaring in the visor represent all the opportunities that are ahead of us. We used stars because stars represent opportunities and hope. The stars are on the opposite side and in a more prominent place than the crack in the helmet because we should always prioritize what is in front of us rather than focus on our scars.
The smile not only represents happiness but a sense of eagerness and poise for what is to come in the future.
The Dream Maker represents what we stand for here at Dreams Rule Everything Around Me and we hope it inspires you to never give up on your battle and to always dream beyond your wildest dreams.
Shop our Dream Maker Collection and help us raise funding for Mental Health Awareness.
]]>
As a hip-hop artist, Logic has done it all and took over the game ever since his first Young Sinatra mixtape. In 2017 he released 1-800-273-8255 that helped raise a lot of awareness towards the everyday struggle millions of people go through. This was not only a hit on the charts but also brought a lot of attention to the importance of Mental Health.
Our Favorite Part of the song comes from young artist Khalid.
Pain doesn't hurt the same, I know
The lane I travel feels alone
But I'm moving 'til my legs give out
And I see my tears melt in the snow
But I don't wanna cry
I don't wanna cry anymore
I wanna feel alive
I don't even wanna die anymore
Oh I don’t wanna
I don’t wanna
I don’t even wanna die anymore
We miss you, Chester. May you forever rest in peace.
Heavy is a challenging song to listen to if you are battling with depression. Heavy depicts depression in such an accurate way. Even though we hold on tight to everything in life that is supposed to keep us going after a while it could get too heavy to hold on also. That is why we sometimes need that extra love and attention in our life to carry the burden off of us. I hope that Heavy can inspire people to help do just that.
This song is about suicide prevention, and Good Charlotte does a great job in providing so many reasons to hold on and never let go of your life. The sad part about this song is the first graphic that says "Every 18 minutes Someone Dies from Suicide in the U.S.". That number is 16 minutes now. We need to change that all together.
Hold on if you feel like letting go, hold on it gets better than you know.
Although a happier sounding song, Adam's Song is another song about depression and suicide. This song is all about the feeling of loneliness even in a world full of people and opportunities. Throughout the song, the sense of isolation is discussed, but the ending is where you feel a change in the tone.
I never conquered, when you came
Tomorrow holds such better days
Days when I can still feel alive
When I can't wait to get outside
The world is wide, the time goes by
The tour is over, I've survived
I can't wait till I get home
To pass the time in my room alone
No matter how hard the days are...survive because tomorrow is a better day.
There is no song better than In My Blood for people who suffer from anxiety disorder. The entire song paints a perfect picture of the constant battle with anxiety. The music video also depicts this feeling perfectly. However, the best part of this song is when Shawn Mendes sings "Sometimes I feel like giving up, but I just can't...it isn't in my blood".
Anxiety is a tough battle and one that's not understood by everyone. Find that person that does understand and have them help you through the battle. Also, never give up no matter how much the walls cave in on you. There are so many avenues to get that help. For every person who can't help you, there is another waiting to help.
These are our five favorites, what are yours? Let us know in the comments below.
]]>This is an important message I want all of you to take in and understand. Being nice is not a difficult thing to do. Being nice doesn't mean you need to sacrifice everything for someone or to do something beyond your means for a person. No, being nice means merely not being rude, ignorant, miserable, or any other politically correct synonym to the word "asshole" to others.
Simply put, being a nice person to someone might help them if they are feeling down on themselves; especially for someone who may suffer from a mental health issue that you are aware or unaware about. Your impact on people is more significant than you think and it's important to be mindful of your importance.
Ask yourself, what was your last interaction with someone close to you? How did that go? Think about how much time you spent with that person and what you discussed. Did you compliment more or tear down more? Were you more apathetic or compassionate? Were you even actively listening to them or were you pulling out a few words of what they said and responding with blanket responses like "Oh weird" or "Oh awesome"?
If you were not compassionate or complimentary of that person think about how they might feel about that. Spoiler alert, probably not good at all. If you're asking yourself "Well, why does that person still associate with me?". Here's your answer; that person is comfortable with you and is either scared to lose you as a friend because it will take them out of their comfort zone or that person is used to being torn down that they don't know any better.
September is Suicide Prevention Month and it's important to ask yourself if you think anyone in your life may have contemplated self-harm or suicide. Have you had that conversation with that person about it? Are you scared to do so? Do you live in a bubble where you think things like this don't occur? Find your way out of that bubble and do more.
Compliment. Build people up. Make jokes and fool around but make sure to balance that out by giving your loved ones your utmost attention and love. You have NO IDEA how valuable you can be to that person, and you can even save their life. There are countless cases of people who have stopped themselves from committing suicide because of one event, one call, one sentence, even ONE WORD. Now ask yourself again, do you know how important you can be in saving someone's life by just being a nice person to them?
Simple. Stop being an asshole. Stop trolling others excessively. You're not as funny as you think you are. You are causing excessive harm to someone's mental health by tearing them down regularly.
Now I'm talking to you. The person reading this post and thinking, "Yes, why is it so hard for people to be nice to me? Why do people take advantage of me? Why do I let myself get hurt by people so much?". I'm with you, and that is why I am writing this, and I want you to stick with me and know that the reason I started DREAM was to give myself a voice to help people have these conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. I have also hurt others in the past with my words. I've been a bully unknowingly sometimes because I thought I was funny. However, I become aware of the things I was doing, and I went back to that person and apologized. It may not have seemed like it was a big deal in retrospect but I know that the people I have apologized to in the past for going too far have appreciated my level of empathy.
Recently, I came out to everyone about my mental health battle. A lot of people have started to understand why I am the way that I am but a lot of people still do not understand, and that is okay. We can't expect people to change overnight, but if we make changes to the way we react, then we might be able to help them while also helping ourselves.
The most ironic thing I see on social media, politics and even pop culture is people who are known to bully one another posting about how bullying is wrong. These are the people you immediately need to separate yourself from until they figure out their level of hypocrisy. It may be hard to get out of your comfort zone but DO IT. Don't be afraid. Don't let people break you down. I know it's easier said than done but instead of holding it in and making it eat away at you stand up and fight back. Tell that person you love that they are not a nice person to you. If you elicit a negative reaction from that person, I want you not to back down. Keep going until that person realizes their mistake. If they never do then you know it's time to move on from them and find people who respect you. I guarantee you will be happier every day when you realize you are surrounded by people who understand and respect you for who you are despite any issues you may have.
Starting today, I want you to do three things:
1.) Open up to people about what you are going through.
Are you battling depression? Have you thought about harming yourself? Has suicide crossed your mind? Open up about it to everyone you can. I guarantee you will find someone to help you. If you can't find someone in your circle, then get out of that circle and look deeper. Come to me...I'll listen to you...I'll help. You're not alone in your battle.
2.) Don't repress your emotions, let them out even if you feel that you will be judged.
People will call you sensitive. People will call you an emotional wreck. People will also tell you that you're overreacting. Guess what...who cares? Let people know about these issues because over time it will hit them that they might be a problem.
3.) Reach out to others if you feel they are in trouble.
You can turn that person's day around. You can increase their level of happiness. You can even save a life. Be aware of your surroundings and your actions and understand how important you are to people and I promise you that you will help create a better world.
Thank you for reading and hopefully, this will impact your life in someway. DREAM is more than just a clothing brand. I want to help be the change I want to see in the world and that change starts with being nicer to one another all the time.
Never stop Dreaming, Dreamers.
]]>This is a valid question and one that I have received multiple times from friends, family, loyal supporters, and mentors of mine.
As of September 2018, I can honestly say I did not think DREAM would be at the level it is right now. Over 3,000 supporters, multiple designs that have become fan favorites, the incredible connections we've made with popular personalities who are also passionate about Mental Health Awareness, and of course, and the fact that by the end of September we are likely going to have hit a $7500+ donation mark.
At this point, I am now as confident as ever that we will be growing rapidly and that I need to make some changes. People who ordered during Labor Day will be getting their order in the middle of September with some of those new changes. Some of the new changes include a change in our packaging and our tags. Our new tags will not only give washing instructions but they will also be sewn on so that you could easily see our message and the size of your garment.
We are also going to do our best to increase turnaround times to make sure preorders are sent out quicker than ever.
Finally, we are going to start expanding the product line even more by now adding backpacks, side bags, tracksuits, athletic wear, and more.
In terms of the fashion portion, the end game is simple; we want to be the first choice in a brand you support for your casual and streetwear needs and have the whole world learn about us and what we are all about.
In terms of the end game with DREAM, there is no end game until I fix a problem that I have noticed for years. No one reaches out to help one another. Communication is awful. Men talking about their mental health issues comes with a lot of insecurity. Women are too afraid to speak up about their issues as well because they might be labeled as "attention seekers" or "victims".
Enough is enough and it's time for a change. The end goal of DREAM is to open up that conversation and make our world connect like no way before. In 5 years I want DREAM to be the hub for people to come in and find a way to talk to someone about their mental health issues and be walked through it rather than to be ignored. I want DREAM to provide value to our entire world in that way and I will not stop until we do. I also want to go around from campus to campus around the world discussing the importance of not bullying or triggering others in a way that may produce a negative outcome for two parties or more.
At DREAM, the mission has and always will be to connect our world in a way to help keep the dream alive for everyone no matter how difficult it will be to do so.
]]>Typically, we say thanks to our parents, friends, family, significant others, co-workers and colleagues. Today I am going to take a different approach as I will discuss why I couldn't have accomplished anything without the discouragement, frustration, and the betrayal from people I've had relationships with in my life. If it wasn't for the list below, I would never have the courage to do what I've done in my life and be the person I am today.
1.) High School Teachers
Thanks to 90% of you for completely writing me off because I was terrible at math and science. Special shoutout to my 11th grade English teacher. Instead of honing my writing skills and creativity you laughed me off when I said I have the ability to take Honors Writing.
2.) High School Classmates
Thanks to a select few of you for also writing me off and treating me like some buffoon with no future. Although I love to bring out the best in everyone it was a select few of you who made sure I never felt good about myself. Thank you for motivating me to always to do what I do and make sure everyone I ever interact with leaves me with nothing but positive emotions and an uplifted spirit.
3.) Extended Family
Most of you don't even know what I do or care to know. Growing up as the youngest in the family I was never treated with any respect at all. Hearing all your stories of failure and betrayal motivated me to never be like a good portion of you. Thanks for paving the way and never giving me the time of day even when I'm nearing my 30's.
4.) Law School Classmates & Professors
Thank you. Thank you for being boring robotic people who convinced me every single day that the position I was in as a law student was the biggest mistake of my life. Thank you for also telling me that being a writer will never make me any money. Thank you for telling me that law school is not for creative people. Thank you for making me feel bad about myself because I didn't understand a case from Contracts. Special thanks to my legal writing professor for laughing at me and saying "you're supposed to be a good writer, huh?" because of my lack of legal writing skills. Thank you law school, you might have cost me 7 months of my life but after living in hell for so long I had no choice but to claw my way out of it and find daylight.
5.) Previous Employers
After I dropped out of law school I got a job at a software company ran by a family. This experience was so terrible but it shaped me unlike no other. Thank you to Mr. Surani for telling me I'll never make over $60,000 in my life and that no company would ever want to deal with someone as overly passionate as me. Thank you for calling me annoying, stupid, and lazy. Thank you for never showing up to work to grow my potential. It's because of your lack of attention I spent 6 hours a day watching videos on how to be the best online marketer I could be and if it wasn't for all the videos I found on YouTube I wouldn't be as successful as I am today. Thanks for being a total jerk, you really changed my life.
*Spoiler Alert* I make way over $60,000 now. Don't get into professional gambling Mr. Surani, you're not great at seeing future outcomes.
Honorable mention to Mr. Hayward of your classic online marketing firm for firing me of me on my birthday after stringing me along for 6 months while trying to find an employee who was considerably cheaper than me. You're a real piece of work but you motivated me beyond belief the day you told me I was "overpriced". Thanks to my diligent efforts, the company who hired me after you let me go has done over $2.5 million dollars in sales and went viral across the Internet thanks to my ideas and sales abilities. Take that for "overpriced".
It's important to take all the negative you've had in your life and turn it into a positive. Find strength from your failures. Find power from those who put you down. Let all the negativity burn you up and take that inferno of pain and make something positive of it.
Let's not let people who hurt us define who we are in a negative way. Let's instead lay the bricks of our foundation with their negative comments and emotions towards us.
Now it's time to give you my real thanks to the people I love. 8 months ago I started D.R.E.A.M. because of a multitude of reasons. My passion for fashion and Mental Health Awareness needed to be translated into something. For years I worked my tail off for other people. I've helped grow their dream and decided to put mine aside. 8 months ago I said no more and took the plunge and took what was burning inside of me and put it into practice.
8 months later and D.R.E.A.M. has raised over $4000 for Mental Health Awareness with our two great partners at the ADAA and BBR Foundation. Our goal in 2018 was $5000 and we're more than 75% away in 7 months.
Thanks to my beautiful wife for sticking by my side through all this. Thanks to my son for motivating me to be a harder working person. I hope in 16 years you will inherit D.R.E.A.M. and continue my vision side by side with me. Thanks to my parents for supporting me and especially my father for telling me I shouldn't sleep on this idea. Thanks to my friends who have helped me set up everything and support my vision, you know who you are.
However, none of this is possible without all of you who have supported my vision. Thank you to all the e-mails you send praising my designs, my writing, my creativity, and everything else I do for D.R.E.A.M.
Nothing makes me happier than when one of you reach out to me and tell me I helped impact your life and your struggle. As I've said, my DM's and heart is always open to all of you. As someone who struggles, together I know we can help each other out and ensure that none of us stop dreaming.
If you'd like to support my vision at D.R.E.A.M. check out our shop. From today until July 5th we are having a 35% off sale for Independence Day. Use promo code DREAM4TH to save.
]]>I've always felt as if I am better able to help others when I explain my situation. If you are my friend and have interacted with me you probably know the type of person I am. I'll list off my negative traits for you to paint the perfect picture.
I bolded the last point because that really explains all my actions and why I am the way that I am. Do you feel like you don't belong? Do you feel like the person you call your best friend doesn't reciprocate it? Do you feel like the person you have a crush on likes you as a friend? Do you feel that you love your job more than your job loves you? Do you ever sit in a group of people who discuss plans they've had in the past or future and know you weren't involved nor will be?
It's an awful feeling. Feeling like you don't belong sucks.
Let me give you a few reasons as to why I feel like I don't belong and tell me if I am wrong.
Disclaimer: My feelings on these topics may have changed in the past few months or years but I have to draw examples for why I feel this way and what I’ve been through that attributes to my deteriorating mental health.
I can go on and on. I know I sound whiney. Shit, I know it sounds like I'm playing the victim card here and I am. I'm not going to deny that I have issues. However, I am trying to be an open book and explain everything that goes on in my head despite how many eye rolls and head scratchers you’ve probably had reading this so that I can help YOU and myself (eventually).
I'm well aware why of all the reasons the above issues happened. It all stems from my sense of feeling like I don't belong. When I feel like I don't belong I act out improperly towards others. That sense of feeling when I get when I'm not part of a dynamic eats away at me like a vicious disease. What do people do when they don't feel well? They don't act like themselves.
So if I've said something irrational, ignored you, didn't invite you to a certain thing, didn't give you the time of day when you needed me, or if I was super nice to you so much but then started to tail off drastically later on...it's because of my sense of not belonging.
Why have I not opened up about this to any of you in person? For all the reasons stated above. I'm terrified of conflict lately. You have no idea how many people say things (unless it's sports arguments because they keep my argumentative side alive) that I want to react to but don't. I was always scared of being talked bad about behind my back but I just laid out all of my issues so I don't fear being talked about anymore because I have the guts to publicly say negative things about myself. However, I plan on being more confrontational with everyone. If I'm going to lose touch with you, I might as well go out swinging and let you know what you did (or what I did) was wrong.
When it comes to my end, I put my best foot forward to make people feel like they belong. I leave open invites to my home, my heart, and my phone to anyone who wants it. I compliment people on anything I can. If I sense someone feels embarrassed I quickly help diffuse the situation. This is the type of person I try to be and I URGE you all to do the same.
Your words are so powerful to others and your actions are even stronger. When someone is insecure about their place in your life, define it. If someone is worried about how they are doing at their job, provide honest feedback. Stand up for a friend or loved one who is being mistreated and stop living your life on autopilot mode.
You never know what someone is going through because as I've perfectly laid it out here people are too afraid to speak up. Give that person a voice or use your voice to do so for them. You have no idea how you can not only change a life but also save a life.
Make everyone in your life feel like they belong, it's not a difficult thing we ask for.
I love you all and never ever stop Dreaming.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. If you're having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). If you are located outside the United States, call your local emergency line immediately.
]]>In a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, they found that 7.9 million people in the United States experienced a substance use disorder and mental illness at the same time. With a clear connection between these disorders, researchers find that either disorder can come first. Someone can start with a mental disorder and turn to addictive substances, or in some cases, someone may develop symptoms of mental illness after drug use.
People may use drugs to temporarily relieve painful feelings and anxiety. Many depressed people smoke marijuana to boost their mood. An alcoholic may drink alcohol to reduce social anxiety. Some people take cocaine when they need more energy get through their day.
Unfortunately, alcohol and drugs do not cure underlying mental health issues. Alcohol and drugs will always create new problems and worsen the original mental health symptoms. Cocaine, opiates, and methamphetamine can cause seizures and psychotic behavior—negatively affecting the physical and mental health of the user. This tendency toward self medication is one reason why it’s important to raise awareness for mental health issues. By lessening the stigma against addiction and mental illness, people may be more likely to seek appropriate treatment.
Because you’re treating two disorders, it’s important to look for treatment centers that will address both addiction recovery and mental illness. For example, if you have a dual diagnosis of major depressive disorder and alcohol addiction, you will want to look for an alcohol rehab facility that offers psychiatric counselling and support. According to the Midwest Institute for Addiction, “improved status after treatment is more likely when clients have access to a range of mental health and medical services.” With a comprehensive treatment plan, those with co-occurring disorders have a much better chance of recovering from addiction and improving their health.
While there are several treatment options for substance abuse issues, prevention will always be the best option. If your mental health issues become overwhelming, look for ways to practice self-care and don’t hesitate to seek outside help. Work toward building a network of support and rely on others in your moments of struggle. And if you’re struggling with addiction, know that what you’re facing affects millions of people—and recovery is definitely possible.
References:
National Alliance on Mental Illness
The Connection Between Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
]]>In order to continue our mission, we knew that we had to expand our donation partners. Today we are proud to announce our partnership with the BBR (Brain & Behavior Research Foundation).
The Foundation funds the most innovative ideas in neuroscience and psychiatry to better understand the causes and develop new ways to treat brain and behavior disorders.
These illnesses include
As you may know we hit our donation goal in March a week before the month was over. We have now raised over $500 for the ADAA which means we are now officially able to fund cutting edge research for research and programming for anxiety, depression and related disorders. As someone who suffers from anxiety and depression this means a lot to me and our entire cause.
It’s quite ironic how much anxiety D.R.E.A.M has given me so far. I have been pouring all of my free time into this and plan on putting more work into it because I know the more I grind the more people we can reach out to and help.
1.) April Plans & Donation Goal
At the end of April we want to have raised at least $1000. In order to accomplish this we have expanded our product line to now offer beanies, more hats, iPhone covers, and more t-shirt designs. We will also start discounting winter items as the weather gets warmer.
2.) Mystery Boxes
We have had plenty of requests to start doing Mystery boxes with our clothing. We plan on doing this later on in Spring or Early Summer.
3.) Summer Clothing
Our Summer Collection will be announced right before Memorial Day and we will start taking pre-orders then. We plan on adding new shirts, tanktops, etc.
4.) Women’s Line
This has been a priority for me and I plan on announcing this very soon. Although I consider all of our clothing unisex, I plan on making exclusive designs for our women’s line.
Also, we plan on working with other non-profit organizations very soon in order to expand our overall reach globally. Although we are a streetwear and fashion company, the mission will never steer away from spreading Mental Health Awareness and doing our part into helping the whole world keep their dreams alive and not give up.
Thank you all...never stop dreaming.
]]>This is not the end as we are only getting started. We hope to hit this goal monthly and provide as much assistance to our partners as possible to not only bring more attention to the importance of Mental Health, but also in providing funds for Mental Illness research.
With your help we can continue to make our dreams come true by trying to keep the dream alive by doing our part in spreading Mental Health Awareness.
As a special gift to all of our Dreamers, we are now offering this special edition DREAMER shirt in all black to signify us coming out of the dark and finding the light within our dreams.
For every special edition shirt we sell, we will donate $5 to the ADAA (20% of sales). We appreciate all of your continued support and remember to never ever stop dreaming.
]]>It was another day at the beach with two of my friends and our parents. We were sitting under the Lifeguards' tower laying on our backs with our legs crossed with our Gameboys in our hand. This eerie feeling entered my body like some sort of poison. I don't know why but I started freaking out. I crawled under the tower and just started running towards my mom. I've never told her this story but that was the first anxiety attack caused by the fear of death...and it definitely wasn’t the last.
For the next few months, I would be triggered by those thoughts. Sometimes it would happen at school, during basketball practice, while watching wrestling, and especially while I was at the beach. At the age of 11, I realized I suffered from anxiety and I was not proud of it at all. There would be nights that I would be sitting awake in my bed with this cold feeling gripping my neck. I would get head rushes when I thought about my inevitable end. For an 11-year-old, my mind was not right. For about 2 years I had to silently suffer because of my fear of being laughed at if I discussed my issues.
It wasn't until I was 13 years old that I finally found a coping mechanism; writing. All day and night I used to write poetry, lyrics, and short stories in my notepad that had a picture of Eminem from 8 Mile on it. Everything I wrote reflected how I felt. As a 13-year-old, you could imagine just how scattered my thoughts were. My writing reflected that.
I never brought up my problems with my friends or family out of fear that I would be judged. In my culture anxiety and depression is not really seen as a real problem because most Armenians and Middle Easterners are prideful people and mental illness was not something a "proud and macho" person would really talk about. I kept the notebook to myself and would occasionally record music from the lyrics from my notebook. For the next 7 years or so I was able to mask my anxiety behind my thoughts and dreams.
I still had nights where I would get out of bed and start pacing around my room because of my dark thoughts. Throughout my whole life, I always could remember my dreams and nightmares. Some of my dreams used to put a smile on my face when I woke up and some would ruin the entire outlook on my day. As I got older and more experienced in life, everything got worse.
There were a lot of changes in my life in my early 20’s. It was the time where I started making new friends, shedding a lot of weight, losing close friends because of silly arguments, getting closer to marriage with my girlfriend, and figuring out what I wanted to do with my life once I get out of college. Naturally, I opted to become a psychology major to learn more about how the brain works and how to cope with my issues. At that time, I found out that a close member of my family also suffered from anxiety. That tore me apart. I realized that this issue I have is serious after seeing what she was going through. I still didn’t bring up the fact that I go through the same thing out of fear. Even with a beautiful fiancé, a college degree, a group of loyal friends, and a law school acceptance letter, I found out that my anxiety led me to the point of hopelessness and depression.
The issue with me never telling anyone about my anxiety & depression was that no one really understood my mood swings. Every day was a different day for me. Whether it was my insecurity or my fears, something would trigger me and cause me to not act the way most people expected me to. This drove some people away and forced me to push myself away from everything. I finally was admitted to law school after telling myself that was the right path for me. For a kid that was at the bottom of his class in high school, I felt that going to law school would show everyone just how smart and accomplished I am. One semester in and I realized that until that moment in my life I only lived for other people and not for myself.
The 8 months I spent in law school was the darkest moments of my life. The way I started coping with my depression in law school was dreaming about a future after law school and all the other things I could have done. I used to get triggered by seeing my classmates from college and all their success in psychology after school. It caused me to unfriend most of them on social media. Although I lived with my best friend who went to a neighboring law school, I found myself alone in my room at nights either crying or biting off my fingernails because of my illness. After Winter Break I knew I had to drop out of law school for my own sanity. Even though it would upset my parents, friends, and fiancé, I had to do it for myself.
In March of 2013 I did the unexpected and withdrew from law school with no future. At the time, I got an internship as a writer for a popular sports website. I even found mild success doing it. However, being alone in my house without any family around started to trigger me again. As I prepared for life without law school those dark thoughts reared their ugly head. At age 22 I thought my life was over. I had no distractions keeping my mind at ease. I was seeing classmates from high school enjoy success in their field while I was sitting at home sulking.
At this point, I started to slowly open up to select people about my problem. I heard a lot of “it will pass” and “it’s all in your head” being thrown around. That didn’t make me feel any better. Most of my friends would tell me I’m lucky to have a good family, a fiancé, and a college degree. Unfortunately, no matter how many things I felt that I had I still couldn’t escape my issues.
One night before I slept I had one of the best dreams ever. I had just finished watching an episode of a TV show that really helped me get through the dark times out of law school. I woke up and quickly ran to my desk and started writing down what happened in that dream. I started to do this a few times a week. I never shared it with anyone. Some of my dreams were dark, and some of them were bright. Even if I didn’t write it down, I replayed it in my head. My mood that day would be dictated based on how my dreams went. One of my dreams was the reason why I applied to get my Masters in Business and I did just that. Another one of my dreams influenced me to become an entrepreneur which I also pursued at the time. Although the original version of my idea failed, it was an experience I will never give up.
From 2012-2017 a lot of changes happened in my life, one thing that did not go away was my illness. I was finally starting to do more with my life than just plan my life out. I got my first real job in 2013 after 9 months of unemployment. I got married and graduated college in 2014. In 2015 I was hired to work for a major company in my business field. In 2016, I bought a house and had my first child. Throughout those years my anxiety attacks and depression were not major components of my life. Life was moving fast and my mind was at ease for the most part. I had my occasional scares at night and mood swings during the days, but the thoughts were at bay for most of that time.
In early 2017, those thoughts came back again. You can imagine just how much more I value my life now that I am responsible for a child. Fears of dying and leaving behind my son and wife were terrifying me quite often. I can’t imagine being without them and vice versa. Throughout the year, I was going through a lot of events that started to trigger me. Although I won’t share what those events were, they were bad enough to where I felt that dark energy enter my soul once again. I couldn’t find a coping mechanism anymore. It didn’t help that my job had me work from home thus keeping me alone with my thoughts for most of the day. Most of my friends and family tell me how lucky I am that I live in a nice house, have a beautiful family, and that I work from home. Blessings are subjective. What others thought were blessings to me are the things that are slowly destroying me.
In late 2017, I told myself that I can’t fix this anymore. I am who I am and I must accept my problems. One day I will die and so will everyone around me. Where my soul will travel is unknown. It is unknown when it will happen and who I will leave behind, but it will happen. Instead of fearing death and the darkness I decided to fight it with all my power. I want to give my family, and most importantly my son and the legacy they could always be proud of. That was not going to be accomplished by my current job or skillset…it was going to be accomplished by my dreams of a better future for not only myself and family, but for everyone who suffers from mental illness.
In November of 2017, I started Dreams Rule Everything Around Me (D.R.E.A.M.), a relaunch of a clothing line I started in 2012 because of a dream I had of me being a successful entrepreneur and because of my passion for streetwear and fashion as a means of expressing myself. D.R.E.A.M. is going to be more than just a clothing line. Over time I plan on making D.R.E.A.M. a way for the 13-year-old boy suffering from anxiety because of fears of death and isolation who was too scared to tell anyone to have a way to talk through his problems. With D.R.E.A.M. I want to let everyone who suffers from anxiety and depression know that they are not alone. I want to help any soul who has ever contemplated suicide realize that there is a reason to fight. As someone who always dreamt of a better life, my goal at D.R.E.A.M. is to make everyone in the world into a dreamer so that they too can have their dreams carry them through all their nightmares in life.
As of this writing, I still admit that I wake up in the middle of the night with those fears. Lately, I’ve been waking up not being able to find a breath because of a dark thought, but now…I know this pain is temporary and I have a reason to fight. I hope to help end the stigma surrounding mental illness. I hope to be part of the change that helps people understand that mental illness rivals physical illnesses in the amount of damage it can do to a person and how important it is to seek help. Not everyone is able to find their own coping mechanisms and go through the fight themselves and I hope I am able to help change all that and provide a better way.
Most importantly, I hope to inspire people who are too scared to come out and discuss their problems. It was a mistake that it took me 18 years to start opening up to everyone about it and I encourage no one to wait so long.
I also hope to inspire people to constantly reach out to their loved ones and make sure to understand their struggles...you have no idea what that can do for a person.
Disclaimer: In respect for many people I love I left a lot out of my story. It was hard enough admitting this much about my problems and I do not want to make public of some of the events that took place in my life. I do come from an amazing set of parents. I have an incredible older sister and two amazing nephews. My wife is the person who motivated me to be the man I am today. My supporting cast of friends is great. And most importantly, my son is the reason why I want D.R.E.A.M. to be successful so that once I am gone, he is there to keep my vision alive.
I welcome you all to my journey and hope you join me.
If you would like to support D.R.E.A.M. visit our collections page and find a style for you or a loved one. For every sale, we donate a portion to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Find out more about our donation structure here.
]]>These recommendations are not intended to replace professional medical advice, nor are they intended to replace prescription medication for clinical depression or anxiety.
While all phases of sleep are essential for a positive mood, REM sleep is especially important. However, you will not experience REM sleep unless you get a full and restful sleep every night. Follow these tips to improve the quality of your sleep:
On average, people need eight hours of sleep at night. Some people need less sleep than this, and other people require more sleep. In addition, it is important to avoid sleeping too long.
While some over the counter sleep aids help you to get to sleep, they also reduce the quality of your sleep. If you use over the counter sleep aids, your mood might improve if you stop using them.
It's important to ensure that your diet contains a high level of omega-3s. Omega-3s protect the myelin in your brain, and help preserve a good mood. Other beneficial nutrients include magnesium, medium-chain triglycerides, vitamin B12, tryptophan, and calcium. Here are some nutrient-dense foods to turn to when you’re feeling blue:
It is essential to engage in exercise that improves the health of your cardiovascular system, improves strength, and improves flexibility. However, aerobic exercise improves your mood especially effectively. This is because aerobic exercise increases your body's level of endorphins. Some doctors believe that 30 minutes of intense exercise may be just as effective as medication for some people.
Yoga is a particularly effective form of exercise for anyone who wants to improve their mood. Yoga includes mental exercises that can work as powerful mood boosters.
Meditation is highly effective at improving your mood. In addition to promoting a calmer state of mind, it also can produce insight into one's surroundings that can improve your mood. There are different forms of meditation to choose from. Meditation can be performed with the eyes closed or open. Also, some forms of meditation focus on reciting a mantra. This is often referred to as transcendental meditation, and it is known for being especially effective at improving your mood.
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DREAM is all about keeping the dream alive by spreading mental health awareness. As part of our mission, we have promised to donate a portion of our sales to our current partner (Anxiety and Depression Association of America).
]]>Today we sent out our first donation and we'd like to thank all of our customers and subscribers for what they've done so far. We may have barely cracked the $100 mark, but in due time we hope to donate enough money to help spread the word about Mental Health.
Preparing food can take a lot of energy, and it may seem easier to get take-out or just not eat, but this is a really bad idea. Science has proven that the foods you eat affect your emotional health as much as they contribute to the status of your physical health. By eating a healthier diet, you can give yourself a natural boost of energy. Physically, you will feel better if you eat healthy food. That doesn’t mean you can’t occasionally indulge, but you should try to focus on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Stress and discomfort can make any overwhelming or difficult situation worse, so try to create a space where you can go to decompress and put everything aside. Some people choose to make their bedroom into this place, but you can also choose another room in your house, such as the kitchen or an office. When creating this space, consider what helps you relax. Your scent memory has an impact on your emotions, so find some essential oil products that remind you of good things to help you relax. Good lighting, a comfortable place to sit, and peaceful decorations can also help create a good atmosphere. Try to avoid bringing anything that stresses you out into this area.
You may not always feel like taking proper care of yourself, especially on bad days, but it is always important. Not only does good hygiene improve how you feel, but it can also have an impact on how other people react to you. Something as simple as brushing your teeth can make a huge difference in how you are feeling. Taking a shower, even if it is just standing under the water for a bit, can also help you feel a lot better about yourself. Proper hygiene reduces your risks of health issues, so you'll remain physically healthy.
Humans aren’t meant to be alone, so having some human contact can do amazing things to help you out, especially if you are struggling. It can be difficult to reach out to someone, but talking to someone, even if it is about something trivial, can help so much. If you don’t have someone nearby to talk to, call a friend or family member. Sometimes even just being on the phone with someone, even if you aren’t talking can provide that sense of connection. If you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to someone you know, several organizations have helplines that you can call just to talk to someone.
If you are in a bad place and you can’t do everything, don’t let that derail you. Do the little things that you can and prioritize taking care of yourself. You can’t accomplish much if you feel bad, so use these ideas to get you through the worst.
]]>Every stage in life is different. That’s why the life advice provided below is subdivided into the stages where they are most important. Read through the different life advice for every point of your life and see how they compare to your own stage in life right now.
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1.) Take care of Yourself
There is only one "you" in the world so make sure you take good care of yourself. Take care of your health and your well-being if you want to live long. Get rid of bad habits like smoking and drinking as these will only contribute to the deterioration of your body.
2.) Travel
As most life advice goes, travel while you are young. As you get older, you start having responsibilities, illnesses and other things that could potentially stop you from seeing the world. Travelling while you are young opens your eyes to what else is out there. It helps you gain perspective and takes you out of your comfort zone.
3.) Don’t be afraid to Fail
Failure is life’s most brutal teacher. But don’t fear it. Because from the most brutal teacher could emerge the most successful person you could ever be. Every failure is a lesson learned. Every lesson learned is a mistake that’s not repeated.
4.) Don’t Give Up on Love
No matter what age you are or how hurt you were with your last relationship, don’t give up on love. Having someone you love and loves you back is a wonderful thing to have.
5.) Forgive Others
Forgive others and forgive yourself. It is the only way to find peace.
6.) Never Stop Dreaming
At D.R.E.A.M. our mission is to make sure no one ever stops dreaming because our dreams carry us far beyond the boundaries we put ourselves into it. This is by far the most important tip you should never forget.
No matter what age you are, keep dreaming. Visualizing goals, hopes, and dreams can help make them a reality.
7.) Never stop learning
The world is a big place full of lots of wonderful things that you can learn. No matter how small, learn something new.
8.) Don’t Compare Yourself To Others
What you see in social media is only a piece of somebody’s life. It’s not his entire life. You will never be truly happy or satisfied with your life if you keep comparing it with others.
9.) Be Open-Minded
Get out of your comfort zone and take on ideas that you would not normally consider. They might surprise you.
10.) Appreciate the small things
Wake up every day feeling grateful for the little things in life. Whether it’s your morning coffee or your promotion, learn to appreciate everything.
11.) Make time for Yourself
A trip to the spa or having your own hobby will make your life feel less about earning a living and more about enjoying yourself.
12.) Secure your Finances
Save up for the rainy days and for your retirement. Start while you are young and put away a part of your salary to your emergency and retirement fund.
To learn more about D.R.E.A.M. visit our About Us page.
To shop our collection and help us help people who deal with depression visit our shop. A portion of all proceeds is donated to the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America).