Shit you won’t find in a Self Help Book!

‘Mental health’ is a phrase we hear all the time, but what we rarely see is the messy, unphotogenic side of it.  The part that doesn’t get all dressed up, looking pretty for Instagram.  It’s not always therapy rooms, tidy diagnoses, or inspirational quotes on pastel coloured backdrops.  It can be that though and for some people it has to be, but for so many of us, it’s the invisible stuff.  Sometimes it’s staring at your toothbrush like it’s a weapon of mass destruction.  Sometimes it’s crying in the shower because washing your hair feels like the hardest thing in the world.  Sometimes it’s cancelling plans, switching off socials, or avoiding texts because the thought of one more interaction makes your skin crawl. The last month & a bit for me has been heavy.  Maybe it’s the leftover grief from July. It’s like the whole month is a weight I carry in my chest.  This year, August felt like the hangover from that, or maybe the grief just seeped fu...

If I hear “good vibes only” one more time, I might actually throw a crystal at someone & don’t get me started on “everything happens for a reason.”   These little slogans float around like spiritual fast food: easy to consume, zero nourishment and no one stops to think about what they’re actually serving. For me, these phrases aren’t harmless.  They can shut down real conversations, silence someone’s pain and push us into bypassing what’s actually happening.  While they might feel comforting to the person saying them, they often leave the other person feeling more isolated than before.  So let’s strip them back, call them out and talk about what I really feel is going on underneath. 1. Love and Light Awww.. On the surface, “love and light” sounds sweet, doesn’t it? Like a spiritual Hallmark card.  But when you’re in the thick of trauma, burnout, or overwhelm, what does “sending love and light” actually do for you?  Nothing.  It’s the equivalent of ...