Let’s talk about all that uncomfortable shit…
In my 20’s, after my diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, I tried to cope the old fashioned way – the way everyone without a mental illness is told to get a handle on themselves again. I believed in the hype of exercise and eat right and all your troubles will melt away into a puddle of endorphins and selfies. To me, the basis of a good life was to have a good job, get married, go out on the weekends. Smile.
I’ve struggled with my weight for most of my life. From as early as nine I can remember looking at the differences between me and slim girls and equating it to self worth.
Continue reading “How Mental Illness Gave Me Body Positivity”
So, let’s debunk a few of these myths. Here we go…
Everything you say is written down – Not always. Some talk therapists may make a few notes for later, but most prefer to show you’ve got their undivided attention.
‘And how does that make you feel?’ – I can probably count on one hand the amount of times I’ve been asked that in therapy over the last 15 years. Normally, I’m the one who expresses how I’m feeling, because therapists a very good at getting you to realise your emotions without constantly asking you about them.
There’s only talk therapy that can help – Not true. Art, music, group, exercise and sensory are just a few other forms of therapy. Talk therapy isn’t for everyone. And that’s ok.
Once you’ve been to therapy, you’ll never need it again – Not always. It’s perfectly valid and acceptable to need therapy for longer or even the rest of your life, like getting a check up at the doctors.
Therapy is only for people with a mental illness – NOPE. There are many different types of therapy that can help with a lot of stressful aspects of life from bereavement to relationships to getting over a trauma. Sometimes people just need someone to talk to who isn’t connected to them personally.
There’s nothing shameful or weak about going to therapy. The more we talk about it, the more we break down the stigmas that surround it.
Everybody gets anxious 🤷🏼♀️
How many times have you heard this? How many times have you thought this? It doesn’t make you a shitty person to think it, mostly because it’s true. Anxiety is something most mammals feel, for whatever reason, but there is a huge difference between ‘normal’ anxiety, an appropriate response to a stressful situation, and having an anxiety disorder.
Don’t underestimate anxiety!
I’ve been working on some worksheets to help with mental health and self care 💖
I wanted to do a few different styles, some written word and some more artistic. Let me know if they help, and if you have any ideas for future work sheets please feel free to contact me.
Do you want to write about:
Crosswordsnotwires is now opening its doors to guest bloggers!
Whether you’ve written before or this is your first time, anyone and everyone with a story to share can apply.
Want to talk about your top ten tips for anxiety?
Need to share your experience about shopping plus sized?
Have a story about your self care journey?
Fill in the below details, send it to me at hevbailey@hotmail.com and let me know your ideas 💡
– XWXW
When you think of “therapy” what comes to mind? For most, the word often brings up a scene of a therapist in a chair and a patient on a couch seated next to a box of tissues. But there are a number of unique therapeutic practices that can help you achieve mental clarity. Take a look below!
Continue reading “Guestblog: Alternative Therapies by Brandon Christensen”
Listen to me and the wonderful Mary talk about mental health in childhood, stigmas, body positivity and more in the latest episode of her podcast – Uncustomary Love.
In January 2018 I began using a mood tracker on my phone. My mental health was slipping and I was on a new anti depressant for the first time in years after experiencing some extreme mood swings over the Christmas holidays.
Tracking my mood seemed like a sensible move, but it actually ended up teaching me a lot more about myself.
Continue reading “5 Things Using A Mood Tracker Has Taught Me”
We’ve all seen how Christmas is ‘supposed’ to go on TV.
The family, the films, the presents, the food, the carols, the eggnog. Yup. That perfect Hallmark card Christmas is an image many of us have grown up with and even tried to live up to.
And for those of us who can have that and have it not cause financial troubles or mental instability, that’s great – do you. But not everyone has or wants a Christmas like that.
It’s no surprise to anyone that Christmas is a time where mental health is the most vulnerable. There’s so much pressure from every direction and anyone who disapproves this festive cheer is instantly labelled a grinch.
But in reality, Christmas Day is just another day, and just like any other day it’s up to YOU how you spend it. Whether it’s around family, friends, or by yourself – there’s nothing wrong with doing whatever you want to do instead of what every other person wants you to do.
Don’t drown yourself in guilt or debt or damaging situations for the sake of a day.
If you want a small Christmas, that’s fine. If you want to spend it with friends, that’s fine too. If you’d rather be alone, that’s also fine. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting to work or treat it like just a normal day.
This Christmas, you deserve to be happy and safe. So, spend it however you like.
P.S. If you need help, please reach out. If you know someone who’s vulnerable this holiday season, please check in on them.
