I am hugely passionate about helping people, families and communities irrespective of their age, gender, background or who they are. People are people to me and as the River Island campaign so brilliantly said ‘Labels are for Clothes!’
Mental Health Awareness Week has been run by the Mental Health Foundation since 2001. It is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health and mental health problems and inspire action to promote the message of good mental health for all.
One of the questions I get asked most often is ‘Do the people you work with all generally fit into the same box’ the answer is simply NO! My clients range from ages between 6- 70 and I am yet to meet anyone who is the same as each other, of course people may share similar challenges but no one is the same, this extends to the schools and organisations I work with and no matter what policy or procedure you may follow your needs are unique and your Mental Health is no different.
Whilst society has made huge leaps in the social taboo that surround Mental Health there is still plenty of work to do but hard work has never frightened me. During Mental Health Awareness Week I wanted to share that the passion I have for what I do is authentic and I won’t ever try to be someone who I am not. Therefore every day I shared something I did to look after my own mental health. How can I help others in the way I want to if I don’t look after me?
Day 1 – Walking
Day 2 – Baking Day 3 – Loved Ones Day 4 – Letter Day 5 – Movie Night Day 6 – Shopping
Running my own business is a privilege but it can mean that I constantly run on a treadmill (not literally, let’s not take things to far shall we!) I worry about letting people down, failing, the finances of running a business, the list goes on and therefore the moments I would want for myself take a back seat through no fault of anyone else but simply the choices I make and this week actively forced me to not only make a conscious effort to make the time but to continue it…
Each day when I shared my posts I asked everyone else the question; What have you done today for YOU?
“Spent the day with good friends celebrating the royal wedding with a few glasses of fizz!!” “I went for a run for the first time in 10 months. It was hard work but I feel great today.” “I walked the dogs over 5 miles the other day, and today we have brought Our daughter home.” ” I have laid on a beach sleeping in the shade.”
Remember; What is the value in your yes if you never say NO?
So today is Day 7 and well what have I done… NOTHING! Yes, nothing. I did have big plans for today, go for a long walk, find some biscuits I really want (Elegant English; Raspberry and Chocolate if anyone can locate some for me I would be eternally grateful) then plan some things for the week ahead and currently as I write this post at 13:07 I am in my dressing gown, sat in my garden and about to tuck into a cheese sandwich. So basically I didn’t do the things I planned, sometimes how you feel changes and things don’t work out the way you thought you wanted so it’s okay to just BE!
Until next time…