health

Mental Health Awareness Week – Part 2 of the Graphic Novel

book, health, Management, Mental health, Sexual assault, writing

Sorry about the delay in putting part two up on the blog, been extremely busy finishing off the second year of University! As it is mental health week, I decided to put up the second part today, which highlights the effects of sexual assault. If you have been following my blog for a while now, you know that this is a subject extremely close to my heart, and one of the main reasons I started the blog in the first place. When creating this graphic novel, I wanted to reflect on contemporary issues across the world, and the mental health effects of them. As mentioned, this weeks part is all about sexual assault, and has been based loosely on my own experience – most specifically the healing process. Hope you enjoy part two, and I want to thank you all for your kind words about the first.

-A

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Latest Project!

book, business, happiness, health, Mental health, music, poetry, writing

I have been juggling an idea in my head the past few days, unsure whether or not to follow up on it. But sure enough, I decided to take a step into a different direction and give it a go!

I have been turning my blog into a book, writing about my journey with mental health issues, and much like this blog, how I have overcome the most difficult times in my life. The book will be called

‘Diary of a depressed girl’

and is currently being featured on Wattpad. I have thought about turning it into an E-book in the future, but I am currently playing it safe and waiting to see the response on it first.

If you are interested I am placing the link at the bottom of this post, and will be uploading parts/chapters once a week, depending on the response. I hope you will give it a look, and please feel free to critique it in any way necessary, as any feedback is helpful in my opinion.

LINK TO BOOK:
https://www.wattpad.com/story/174553666-diary-of-a-depressed-girl

Thank you,

10 feel good songs for the ‘down days’

business, health, Management, Mental health, music, poetry, products

Music has always calmed me down, and some songs helped me through the most difficult times in my life. Whether they made me feel happy and relaxed, or expressed the exact emotion that I was feeling. So here are my personal top 10 songs to help boost that negative mood!

10.

Home by Phillip Phillips
This is a relaxing song with a beautiful message – theres no place like home. It’s calming nature and lovely lyrics is a definite choice to calm a stressed mind.

9.

Happy by Pharrell Williams
Don’t think this one needs much of an introduction! Known worldwide for it’s happy feeling, this song is a sure feel good tune!

8.

Follow The Sun by Caroline Pennell
Much like Home, this is another relaxing and feel good tune. There are many versions of this song, but Caroline Pennell has a gentle approach to it. If the background music isn’t enough to relax you, the kind words sure will!

7.

The A Team by Ed Sheeran
Another song popular worldwide! The lyrics in this one is enough to relax me alone. Gentle, sweet, calming… What’s not to love about this old school Ed classic?

6.

Shine by Take That
Shine is just all round happy song. Although not calming, the nature of the song is very motivating and catchy. I often listen to this song when I’m out walking and feeling that lack of motivation to do any work, or anything really!

5.

Ready for the Good Life by Paloma Faith
Another motivating tune, Ready for the Good Life is a sure feel good song. Much like shine, this song is a definite choice for the lazy days, and is a great song to remind you about everything good in life.

4.

Moon Dust by Cherry Glazerr
This is just a downright relaxing and lovely song. Not only is the song beautifully composed, but the lyrics are so peaceful and relaxing.

3.

Hate on me by Jill Scott
This one is a little different from the rest, as it is basically a song about sticking the finger to everyone that ‘hates’ you. But despite this, it is a great tune to relieve some stress and anger. I have never felt better than after I have head-banged and lip-synced alone in my room to this empowering tune!

2.

Love Today by MIKA
Another popular song worldwide, this one is great for those down days, when all you need is that pick me up.

1.

Fighter by Christina Aguilera
Definitely the most powerful, motivating and strongest song on the list – no wonder it’s number one! This classic is possibly the greatest break up song of all time (in my opinion), showing that even in the most difficult of times, you can find strength. This tune has definitely given me strength and power on the most difficult of days.

How writing saved my life

business, health, Management, Mental health, poetry, products

During my dark patch early last summer, I began this blog. What started as an online journal, soon became my own personal empire. It became my baby.

I have found a lot of strength from my writing, and it saved me. As I have written previously on the blog, I went through a dark patch, a time I didn’t think I’d move past from. Writing relaxed me, it still does, and focussed my mind on something different.

I honestly couldn’t imagine life without this blog anymore. It has been most definitely my saviour, an online hero. And to all the followers and supporters, I want to thank you for your kind words and memorable stories shared. I hope to continue this blog for the foreseeable future, and continue to share stories and thoughts on what I class “a bumpy life”.

My Personal Anti-Depressant

business, Charity, happiness, health, Management, Mental health, poetry

On the ‘bad’ days, I often find myself spending alone time on a peaceful walk. I venture out to the nearest wooded land, and take some time to think over my thoughts. No matter the situation, thought or stress, there is no problem that can not be solved just from a simple walk. I understand that everyone deals with difficult times and situations differently, and I no way am I stating that all of your issues will be solved with a simple trip down the road. One thing I have learnt is that everyone has an ‘anti-stressor’. Perhaps a simple cup of tea, or spending time with family/friends may be the perfect solution for you! Or maybe medication helps relieve those down days.

So what is it about a walk that relaxes my mind?
Wooded areas are known to have small creatures, water features (river, pond or waterfall) and that fresh air smell. Now that we have officially peaked winter, I find it is the perfect time to venture out and explore the town I am lucky to call home. I live in a tourist destination, in the heart of the Brecon Beacons (a national park in Wales, UK), known for its open landscape, beautiful waterfalls and adventurous walks. In some ways, as strange as it may sound, it takes me back to my childhood, a time where play and adventure was the heart of the soul.

I feel a sudden relief once that cold air hits my cheeks, and the river water slowly turns to ice. When the small snowflakes begin to fall, and the mist begins to cover the view. My favourite walk is up the peak of the mountain, where you find a single bench overlooking the trees and fields below. In all the times I have been up there, I have never come across another person, just my dog and I. Its perfect for the days that seem never ending, and all hope is slowly begin to drop. For the days that nudge you over the edge.

I am very much enjoying hearing your stories and thoughts, and I am trying to get back to everyone as soon as possible. Perhaps you would like to share your favourite remedy for those pesky days and thoughts?

On a final note, all I want to say is that there is always hope, even when you feel all is gone.

A Happy New Year!

business, Charity, happiness, health, Mental health, Uncategorised

It’s officially 2019, and with 2018 finally behind us, we can only hope that this year will be a good one! I am not one for new year’s resolutions, as I feel that every year is just the same as the last. But I have made a ‘pact’, shall we say, that I will not let anyone or anything tear me down this year. Over the past few months, I have come to realise that the only person that can make a positive change in your life, is yourself. I know it’s easier said than done, but sometimes the most simplest decisions make, turn out to be the best ones. This blog has changed my life for the better. It gave me purpose, a strive to carry on and fight the demons in my mind. University changed my life for the better. It gave me strength and courage, forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. My point is that sometimes even the simplest of changed can make a huge difference.

I hope everyone reading this has had a safe and happy new year, and may 2019 be a good one! I would also like to say that I am grateful for all of your messages throughout the year, and please continue to spread the love throughout this year also!

My Journey Home

happiness, health, Management, Mental health, poetry

As I start my journey home, my mind wanders into a different universe. I watch the beautiful autumn bare trees surrounded by the fallen leaves, and although I’m stuck inside a train, I can almost feel the autumn breeze and fresh smell. I’m a people watcher, always have been. I enjoy imagining stories up in my head about a particular persons day. The man sitting alone two seats ahead, wearing a smart blue suit, has just attended an interview in the city. He is smiling, as it went very well. He most definitely will be celebrating tonight, with the hope that tomorrow afternoon he will get that anticipated call that he got the job he has very much aspired for. The older man sitting across from me is also in his suit, this one a little darker – almost black. He has just finished work, possibly for the last time. He has finally retired from his nine to five job, and feels accomplished. He too will be celebrating tonight. The young boy siting in front of me is working hard on his laptop. He is a casual dressed university student, trying to beat that deadline. He is very stressed, even contemplating quitting, but he pulls through and gets the work done. He figures that a little work will pay of in the end. 

The point of this post isn’t to play imaginary friends with my fellow passengers, but to make the point that you never truly know what is going on in someone else’s life. You see, the man in the blue suit didn’t do well in the interview, the smile is to hide the tears and shame. Instead of celebrating, he intends on going home and crying himself to sleep, he sees no future for himself. The older gentleman did not retire today, in fact he received news that he will not be able to retire for at least another ten years, and due to company shortage, he will receive a pay cut. Instead of celebrating, he has to go home and tell his family the bad news. The young student is actually one week late past the deadline, and is stressed beyond relief. Instead of celebrating tonight, he is planning to commit suicide. He wants to end the struggling that he feels is his everyday life. 

Everyone, and I mean everyone, has something going on in their lives. Just remember, next time someone is rude to you, knocks you on the street, or distances themselves for a while, that they may be suffering. Be the bigger person and take it with a pinch of salt, be kind. 

First post in a while! (Sorry about that)

happiness, health, Mental health, poetry

I have come to realise that I have not actually been posting as much as usual. Sorry about that, what can I say? Student life gets to you eventually. So I thought to kick off the first post of many, I would write a poem (much like the first post I ever did on this site). This poem is very personal to me, as it represents not only death but resurrection, and what I would believe a family member would come back as, if she was to at all. It takes me back to conversations and meaningful memories of the two of us together, and I hope you all find a personal touch to it also.

Rambling down a cobbled pathway,

I stumbled upon a wild rose.

Deep crimson red,

velveteen petal each curled to perfection.

Radiant and innocently pretty,

a shy damsel oblivious of her beauty,

fading away unsung.

Every day, day after day,

I watched my rose break out of its chrysalis,

admiring it with every moment.

I watched it grow and come into full bloom,

tall and elegant till it grew

and looked down on me.

And upon a note fallen from the heart wrote,

“From which I’m born, to which I die,

the dirt, the sea, the sun, the sky,

all these things are part of me,

I am the world, and the world is me”.

A flower for a flower.

Thank you for reading! I hope that you are able to find relation to this in some way, please comment and follow for more great content in the days to come!


flower rose nature plant

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

Charity, Donations, health, Mental health, poetry

Since my blog had been receiving a new high amount of traffic, I thought long and hard about what my next post could be. Ive decided to start a charity! Well to a point…

I have decided to place a section on my page to accept donations, and ALL will be going to local homeless shelters and mental health clinics. I would love to be swimming in money, and be able to do this myself, but unfortunately as a full time student its a little difficult. Any donations made will receive a receipt of where their donation has been made, because I can not fret this enough, this is not a scam. All proof of where the money is taken will be shown, including videos, pictures and blog posts.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and again thank you in advance for any donations made.