The mental game. Managing the all-too-common mental illnesses that beset many of us. And being open to discussing and breaking down prejudices about mental illness.
My challenges with depression and anxiety and all that comes with that. I have suffered for as long as I can remember; my earliest memories are those of anxiety and fear. Matters have tended to worsen as years have passed, and it has affected all aspects of my life and well-being.
Getting your mental game in shape can be a long road, and progress can be erratic. I have a robust set of tools and a good support network. But the mental game is something that needs work every day. There is no vacation day to look forward to.
Mental health awareness has improved in recent years. In some areas, it is still seen as a weakness. Sports and the workplace have made strides, but there is a long way to go. My small commitment to helping others has been to speak openly in the workplace and on this blog. My thought has been that if I help one person a tiny amount, it’s been worth it.
It’s been a while since I posted about my mental health. The general direction is good. I learn more about myself and how to manage myself as the years pass. The last ten months have seen me push a couple of notions aside. My never-ending …
Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes* The next chapter arrived for me last month when I parted ways with my company after 12 years. It wasn’t long after I wrote my last blog post, “Going Through Changes“. I don’t believe in coincidences. I heard someone say that once and adopted …
I’m Going Through Changes. Take the time to listen to Charles Bradley sing this great version, while I write about change. Does anyone care to guess who wrote this song? Answer at the end. Change is a given in our lives. The more changes I …
I’m A Pensioner Life comes at you fast. Yes, sir, it does. My invitation to get my State Pension arrived today. Life comes at you quickly. I remember my first day at primary school with clarity. Oddly I remember that day better than when I …
The Older I Get, The Clearer The Path Finding my way back to myself. It sounds odd, but it isn’t really. I’m assuming that I was myself at the start of my life. Before coming into contact with my family, other people, and the environment …
Mental Health Is A Major Problem Mental health continues to be a significant concern. It’s an issue that our health services and society struggle to cope with. The statistics suggest one in four people suffers from a mental illness. The cost to the UK economy …
The next chapter of my life has been on my mind for months. I haven’t blogged since March. Every time I sat down to type, something made me stop tapping the keyboard. The constant nervousness that my openness about my mental health will somehow hurt …
Harder Than It Seems Finding my focus. I’ve been conscious for a while that it’s harder to focus and keep focused. I erroneously was putting this down to me being busy and playing around with ageing stereotypes and laying it off on my documented mental …
Who Is Running The Show? When it comes to dealing with anxiety, who is running the show? I thought of myself as being intelligent and rational. When depression and anxiety showed up, I would vaguely rationalise it by mumbling “brain chemicals” and “past events” to …
The Best Laid Plans Nanakorobi yaoki. Fall seven times, get up eight. This blog has been dark since July and I’ve learned a lot about this Japanese proverb during that period. It’s been a testing time, physically and mentally. I’m not complaining, I’m very conscious …