I will promote the importance of understanding mental health issues until it is no longer a taboo subject. I will happily stand up in front of people and tell them how I once found it so difficult to leave the house that my Dad had to literally pick me up and carry me in to the car. I know how it feels to have zero energy because you’ve not eaten for days but every time you put a spoonful of food near your mouth you are on the brink of being sick and it makes you cry.
To me that was my body fighting against itself. My physical body was screaming at me to eat because it knew that was the thing to do as part of its survival but my damaged mind was convincing me that I shouldn’t be eating for one reason or another. I honestly do not know the reason. I just know that each mouthful was torture and thinking back to it now actually fills my eyes with tears.
1 in 5 of us will be affected by some form of mental health issue in our life, which creates a knock on effect to the people around you and you have to remember that that is okay. Don’t be afraid to talk to them about it, to tell them how you’re feeling. If you’re uncomfortable with a situation or if you have to cancel the date you’ve already had to re-arrange 4 times before then that is okay too.
If someone in your life doesn’t ‘get this’ then remove them from your life (I don’t mean remove them from existence, we’re not murdering people). I just think our lives are too short and precious and dealing with a mental anxiety or other mental health problem does not need the added stress of wondering if your friends are going to abandon you or moan every time you are having a difficult time. If they had cancer, went in to remission then the cancer came back nobody would tell them they’re fed up of these “episodes” or every time someone has a migraine tell them they’re sick of the vomiting.
If you’re unable to deal with the difference in your friend or loved one then just imagine how they feel? They cannot escape their own mind. If you’re lucky enough to have a perfectly functioning mind then that is wonderful, however there may be a time when you too need someone to be patient and kind towards you.
We all go through difficult times and some deal with it better than others but just remember we all deal with things differently and the way you coped with your grief, job loss, break-up, birth of your child or any other situation in your life is not going to be the same as your friends.
I deal with my anxiety differently every day. Some days I wouldn’t even know I have it . other days I want to hide away and not talk to anyone. These are the days when having the support of understanding friends and family and knowing where my safe network is becomes really important. I know who can make me feel instantly better and who I need to maybe not talk to for that day.
I published a book earlier this year, showing how I have overcome some rather horrific ordeals and how my life is getting ridiculously better day by day. That is the key, taking it day by day. It can’t all happen over night.
Don’t ever let anyone make you think you’re not good enough.
Follow your dreams right now! Don’t wait until tomorrow,
next week, next year. Stop planning, start doing 🙂
Be happy and keep smiling 🙂
Made A Hames 