Mental Health Awareness Month 2024

This time last year my vertigo started. Out of nowhere, I started feeling dizzy, floaty, disorientated and sick. Little did I know it was the start of a scary road into depression and anxiety. 

Now roll onto the same time this year and I am sitting here feeling grateful, brave and very empathetic towards anyone who suffers from Mental Health struggles.

My breakdown seemingly came out of nowhere, but actually on reflection it was lots of stressors that basically came to head and exploded. You see, your body can only take so much, as humans we are good at storing feelings, stress, grief, hardship away, but its going to come out sooner or later and when it does, it wont be pretty.

My own experience as taught me to never do that again. When I feel sad now or I go through pain or unexpected stress, I allow it in, I let myself deal with it in the now and I don't squirrel it away into hibernation. 

The first picture is me last year sitting in my garden with a smile hiding the absolute pain my body and mind was in, I was losing weight daily and my appetite was at times non-existent. With depression and anxiety, it can effect your body just as much as your mind! My tummy was in constant pain, I cried several times every day, I felt numb and lonely in my own head.

My garden was my sanctuary. Even when I was in deep pain, id get into the garden every single day and focus on the flowers, weeding, mowing the lawn, sweeping, it didn't matter what, I just hated being indoors.

This next photo was me this Friday just gone (May 3rd 2024) at my best friends wedding as a bridesmaid! Yep, I walked down the aisle in-front of 80 people, feeling glamorous and so so proud of my best friend of 30 years, it was an absolute honour to be by her side.

This photo is a massive deal to me! Last year I struggled to leave the house, my social anxiety was horrendous and I was having multiple panic attacks every week. 

I guess the moral of my story is, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Life can throw unexpected challenges our way, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and lost in the darkness, and when you are in that darkness you feel like you will never get out, but I can hand on heart say, you can. I wont pretend there is any easy fix, that it won't be a journey of highs and lows, but you can get better.

If you are feeling lost, lonely, depressed, have anxiety or feel any way that is effecting your day to day life, then please reach out. See your GP, look into therapy. I didn't pay for one therapy session, so please don't think its only for the rich, it isn't. Look at reading self-help books, believe me, they really do help. Try Meditation, breathing exercises, get out in nature, walk, exercise, eat well. Give up anything that doesn't serve you like alcohol and smoking, there are so many charities that can help you are on this journey too. But, what ever you do, never give up on YOU.

Seeking support from friends, family, or professionals can provide the guidance and encouragement needed to keep moving forward.

Also I just want to say I am here! If you need a chat, please reach out hello@pocketsofbliss.com

Big love & Hugs, Sian x