How many times have you heard someone use the term “I’m depressed,” without actually being diagnosed as clinically depressed? The term gets bandied around quite loosely as though it’s something we all go through. This pisses me off because it downplays what true depression feels like – those who’ve never had it think you can “just cheer up”. Sure, ups and downs in mood are totally normal and a part of responding to situations in life. But clinical…
Recently I was interviewed by Brad Walsh for the Empowerography Podcast. We talked about some pretty heavy and important shit. We spoke about mental health, self-care vs self-love and suicide prevention. It was such an important and inspirational conversation. You really need to check this episode out. My goal is to help people to become their truest, most authentic version of themselves and to love themselves so much they won’t let anyone or…
I’m reading a book at the moment which has been on my to-read list for SO long; The Body Keeps the Score by Bessell Van Der Kolk. At the moment I’m reading a section about safety and reciprocity, about how being able to feel safe with other people is “probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives”. Numerous studies have found that social support is the…
Recently I’ve been asked by a few mums whether I work with teens. The answer is yes. Back in my early 20’s I was a mentor for youth at risk of being expelled from a school in Peckham, a low socioeconomic area in South East London. Each week I’d turn up for a chat with them and they seemed so relieved to talk to me.
I wasn’t their parent, teacher or friend. …
Recently I seem to be having a lot of conversations with strong, warrior women in my life who are going through really difficult times and in huge conflict about showing their vulnerability. Do you consider yourself to be a fearless warrior? Yeah, me too. The problem with that is that we’re often reluctant to admit we need help, and even more reluctant to ask for it
Back in 2010, I was in a…
I look happy in this picture, right? This was me in September 2010, the month before I moved from London to Australia. I was in Ibiza, with my brother, and it was definitely a happier week than I’d had, but I was still a shell of my former self. I’d had a hell of a year – actually a hell of a few years leading up to that holiday. I’d lost close friends to…