The Platinum Girl Celebrity Blog: RIP Amy Winehouse and Why We ...

Today, the BBC reported that singer Amy Winehouse, 27, was found dead in her Camden Square apartment Saturday. While the cause hasn't been determined, I can't help but wonder if her death was linked to her substance abuse issues. Us Weekly said that, at one point, "she was hospitalized for a reported overdose of heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and alcohol. Despite several stints in rehab -- including a one-week stay at Priory Clinic in May 2011 -- Amy couldn't seem to shake her addiction issues."

Writing this post is incredibly saddening for me as I loved her music. My loyal followers know that I typically blog about celebrity relationships and might be wondering what Amy's addiction issues have to do with being a Platinum Girl. Simply put, the overarching theme of being a Platinum Girl is taking care of yourself.

I often joke with my clients that I became so good at what I do because I was so bad. My mother passed away eight years ago and I nearly lost my mind. Fortunately, before she died, she gave me a copy of The Rules: Time-Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider. Following her death, I contacted them and came clean with everything that I had been up to. Ellen and Sherrie promptly put me in my place and convinced me to stop acting out.

So, what was I doing? Staying out until 7am, partying a ton, chasing men, and worst of all, thinking that I knew more than those around me. On some level, I knew I wasn't living the best life that I could. I was unable to confide in my family because I knew they'd be disappointed. I'll never forget the day that Sherrie gave me a curfew of 11:30 pm. I fought her on it, but she prevailed. From that point on, like Cinderella, I made sure that I was home. I was afraid something bad would happen to me if I didn't follow her advice.

Ellen was integral in resonating with me as well -- seeing through to my soul and motives and rightfully calling me out on every last part of my miserable personality. Between the two of them, I stepped-up to the plate and faced my demons. Poor Ellen and Sherrie -- I fought with them a lot, but listening to two iconic women who are older and wiser became the turning point in my life. I was lucky enough to have not gone down the road of addiction.

I can't discount my contribution which is that I accepted some areas of my life were becoming out of control. I recognized a need for guidance and how to not be ashamed of it. Many of my consults take my advice so well because I don't pretend that I am impervious to life's problems -- that I have been there and back. Knowing I had problems and successfully conquered them makes women believe that they can overcome theirs.

These days, my relationships are clean and healthy. Men thoroughly enjoy my company and take great care of me. My girlfriends are supportive of my career and my family couldn't be more proud. I am a successful writer, blogger, and dating coach. Women and men alike respect my work and find that my advice (a great deal of which I learned from Ellen and Sherrie) is something by which they are starting to live. None of my relationships are co-dependent. I owe the majority of my writing career and well-being to Ellen and Sherrie. They saved my life.

A lot of us don't have problems as badly as Amy did. Yet, that doesn't mean you shouldn't recognize that you might need help. If you don't seek treatment, it can manifest in different ways other than addiction like tumultuous relationships with family and friends, difficulty keeping a job, closing yourself off from others or conversely, trying to do too much for people when you should be focusing on yourself.?

With all of the mental health professionals out there and free 12-step programs, there's no excuse to not seek help other than an inability to admit that you need it. In other words, don't stand in your own way from happiness. You won't be the first person to recognize you need help, nor the last. But, asking will make you one less statistic of someone who couldn't manage their life.

Finally, you have no chance of becoming a Platinum Girl and having successful relationships with men if you don't take care of you. I'm not saying don't date. I am saying maybe consider therapy or 12-step if you need it while dating. Even if everything in your life is perfect, then give back to others who might be in predicaments as sad as Amy.

I am blessed to have the ability to write and equally blessed to have such wonderful followers who are growing by the day. You all will never know how motivating are the Tweets, Facebook mentions, book reviews, emails, and love that you send me. It means everything to me to carry on Ellen and Sherrie's work and help each of you...

Shine like Platinum...?

Vanessa

Rest in peace, Amy.

Source: http://www.platinumgirlcelebrityblog.com/2011/07/rip-amy-winehouse-and-why-we-should-all.html

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