Hi there…
I’m Julie, a mum of two boys, fumblingly attempting to crack this parenting and life malarky, with my partner-in-crime, Steve.
I’m a self-labelled ‘confidence-lacking-social-media-shy-introvert' – somewhat ironic for a blogger!?
BUT…
> I love writing
> I am extremely passionate about mental health promotion
> And I want to share my experiences, knowledge and insights to help others…
So here I am combining all three!
MY MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY
Having experienced long-term depression and generalised anxiety disorder, (with some social anxiety thrown in for good measure), I accept these will probably be persistent companions of mine, loyally accompanying me through life… sometimes quietly subdued, and at others unavoidably hindering.
Yet I’m continuing to learn how to better acknowledge and manage them!
I did the ‘uni’ thing 20-years-late… (but got there eventually!) Graduating with a bachelor's degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy in order to better understand psychological health and wellness.
These three years of study facilitated a vital journey of self-awareness and personal growth, and little did I know at the time, was preparing me for the most difficult challenge of my life.
In June 2023, just three weeks after my last lecture, I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer.
My world turned upside down, however, the invaluable learning from my degree enabled me to acknowledge and accept my diagnosis, and then find the positives within this difficult experience.
I believe the things I’ve learnt through my degree are not confined to the therapy room, they are useful tools, helpful understandings and essential information that we can all use to improve our own emotional wellbeing.
There’s increasing evidence to suggest that long-term suppressed emotions may affect our mental and physical health.
It’s natural to try and avoid those BIG, difficult feelings that make us uncomfortable, but…
the more we resist our thoughts and feelings, the bigger and stronger they become…
the deeper we push them down the more likely they are to resurface in other ways…
There’s a saying:
“...What You RESIST Not Only PERSISTS, But Will Grow In Size.”
Carl Jung
So, how can we learn to get better at noticing what’s really going on for us?
Self-awareness and authenticity
Finding ways to be more self-aware and live more authentically are pivotal to attaining better mental health!
And for me, that’s writing
I use writing to acknowledge my often muddled and suppressed thoughts and feelings… to gain insight…
> It allows me to listen to those inner, quieter emotions…
> Writing enables me to recognise…
> Writing allows me to process…
> Writing offers me release.
And even when it’s initially uncomfortable… difficult… or unsettling… it’s always fundamentally positive!
MY HOPE…
…is to encourage and promote mental wellbeing – through personal experience and theoretical knowledge…
The more openly I talk to other people, the more I realise we often share a connection; an invisible bond of collective feelings, worries and concerns.
So, here, in this blog, I want to share some of my real and honest thoughts, feelings and experiences… my journey – this incredible, yet at times disagreeable (to put it politely!!), but life-changing journey of self-discovery.
I want to open conversations, where we can talk truthfully about our thoughts and feelings, and support one another.
In the hope that you may find…
> Something that resonates,
> Something that makes you feel comforted, supported or even encouraged,
> SOMETHING POSITIVE.
So come and join the conversation… I would love to hear your thoughts, comments or own experiences…
“Within This Space There Is Never Judgement, Only Compassion…
None Of Us Are In This Alone”
Speak soon,
Take care,
Julie x