I Am Not A Mental Illness And Neither Are You.

This blog is all about me being 100% honest to those of you who, for some reason, choose to keep coming back and reading these posts!

As much as I'd love to pretend that I've overcome the mental illness and am living a life full of sunshine and rainbows, the truth is I'm not.

Currently, as much as I feel embarrassed to say it, I am off work on the sick for two weeks whilst I change over on medication, because what I'm on right now just isn't working as effectively anymore.

Today, I've been lying and moping about, gazing into nothing asking myself 'what's the point in working so hard if I end up right back where I began?'. But the truth is I am so much further than where I once was. Yes I still have a long way to go and a lot of progress to make, but deep down, I know I can get there, however long it takes, I WILL get there. And so can you.

The truth is, we never really end up in the same place twice. Ultimately, although we are technically where we've been before, at least one thing has changed. Whether it's mentally or physically.

As much as I wish I wasn't in this situation right now, I know it's happening for a reason. I know that I will get through it just like I have done before.

So whatever situation you're in right now, mentally or physically, good or bad it's happening for a reason. If it feels unmanageable that is okay. Reach out if you need to. If not just please know that you will get through whatever it is. As difficult as it is to remember, this isn't forever. Things are going to and will change.

One of the reasons I've decided to be so open (other people being open on social media has led me to be able to) about my mental health, is because so many of us go through it. Yet it's deemed embarrassing and weird. Well, it's not. You are not defined by your mental health, just the same as you are not defined by a broken arm.

You are you and not your mental health.

I recently wrote a post about breaking the stigma, and it really does need to be broken. If me talking about the struggles I sometimes have with my mental health is going to help at least one person then I would be over the moon.

Sometimes our mental health is s**t and it's hard to cope with life and we feel like giving up. But no matter how hard it is, never give up on your life. You are so loved and supported no matter what the illness in your head decides to tell you.

If you're struggling right now, it's okay to take some time to take care of yourself mentally. Our mental well-being is so important although it's overlooked as not being relevant.

So, for today at least, choose yourself as top priority and look after yourself.

We are NOT defined by mental illness. We are defined by who we are as people. We are defined by the actions we take daily. We are defined by the words we let slip out of our mouths. We are not a mental illness.

Ciao for now x