Mental Health Awareness Week

‘Your mental health does not define who you are’

You can look like the most confident, outgoing person on the outside, but inside, it’s a totally different story as you are crippled with self-doubt and esteem issues, or struggling with depression, anxiety, OCD. There are lots of different reasons we all struggle, we just don’t show it. Never judge a person by what you see, you have no idea what is happening underneath it all, what they’re covering up. The other version of who they are. That’s why it’s so important to continue making people aware of just how big and wide an issue mental is, and ways in which we can help each other. We need to keep talking, not just for this week, but every day, demanding change and letting people know that it’s okay to talk about mental health. And what it all comes down to, to be kind. For everyone you meet is fighting an inner battle that you know nothing about.

And this week, I’ve learnt a lot about how to manage my own fears and worries. I feel lucky as this week I’ve been on leave. We should have been going away, but as with most things at the moment, it’s been cancelled. But I felt the importance of still taking a break. And I’m so glad I have, for my own wellbeing. As some of the lockdown restrictions have begun to ease, its allowed me to spend longer outside, in nature and in the sunshine, both of which I feel are good for anyone’s wellbeing. And the bonus of being able to finally see a few people, such as my Mum and some good friends, even from a safe distance, is a boost to the mood, particularly after weeks of just seeing one other person, and only going out to get essentials.  Visiting garden centres and feeling that little sense of normality, even as we drive through empty towns. And spending time in the garden, going for longer walks, still locally, but just getting out more. Just making the most of what I have, and taking that much needed break from work. I know I’m one of the lucky ones, to still have a job and be able to work, and although I’m not on the frontline, as so many are during this difficult time, being able to have a break of some sort has done me the world of good, given me a chance to just be, with no real agenda.

I’m aware that this isn’t the case for anyone suffering from mental health, that we all have our own ways of coping, of what helps us to get through, but this Mental Health Awareness week, I wanted to share my thoughts, and maybe they will help others too.  #BeKind  #MHAW20