embracing the journey: living with mental health

First blog post, probably won't be my best, but I hope it puts the right messages across.

I have suffered with mental health for as long as I can remember; anxiety, depression and others too. I have felt trapped in my own brain, listened to the negative thoughts it provided me, cried when I felt I wasn't enough, panicked over the smallest things, but it does not define who I am. 

I first realised something wasn't quite right when I was coming into my teenage years, I felt anxious, emotional, down nearly all the time. Not only did I feel this mentally but physically too; churning tummy, fast heartbeat, sweating, the panic attacks were the hardest. I had my causes for these mental problems, family issues, friendship breakdowns at a difficult age. 

Depression and anxiety impacted my life in so many ways, I became reserved, quiet and lost my sparkle completely. My anxiety lead to other things, health anxiety being one, which I struggle with most days. Depression took over me back then, I was told it was just my hormones, 'you are becoming a teenager', but I knew it was more than that. I felt worthless and like I lived with no purpose and horrible thoughts would consume me.

However, my mental health has pushed me to become better, to be positive, setting reachable goals, develop mindsets which help me cope. And this is the reason I have started this blog, to give to others what I have learnt in my own growth and healing; because everyone deserves a happy and peaceful mind. I want to share my own experiences, struggles and coping skills to support others and reassuring that no one is ever alone. I hope by doing this blog and keeping it going it reaches the right people, and the people who need this space to relate, learn and grow, but also to allow me to continue my own journey, and recognise how far I have come.  

My socials are always open for anyone who feels they need someone; I know what its like to feel this way.