Periodically, I love to have mental health catch ups in my real life. Having friends I can message and family I can turn to when I’m not feeling my best really helps so much. I was sat thinking about this, and then slowly came to the realisation that so many people don’t have those friends or family members to lean on in hard times. Don’t get me wrong, I never ever take it for granted, but this realisation made me appreciate those in my life a little bit more.
I speak about mental health and the importance of looking after yourself physically and mentally alot. But It’s not something I have spoken about on the blog for a while now. And I realise after the last year and half we have had, it’s important to talk about it now more than ever.
Sometimes my mental health catch ups happen randomly with friends. We organise to get together and end up having hours and hours of conversation about life, and everything that comes with it. If you’re anything like me, then you know how hard it can be sometimes to open up and speak about how you really feel. I’m slowly learning to get better at it, but I still struggle from time to time.
Which is why for todays post I wanted to open this blog post up, so we can have a chat. I want to be that person you can speak to. Whether it’s something big or small, or whatever it is you have on your mind. Let’s catch up!
I’LL GO FIRST
To start of this mental health catch up, I wanted to update you about my life and speak on that for a little. As many of you know, I am currently on a new lifestyle journey which is involving me losing weight and really taking charge of my mind, body and soul. I am connecting more with my faith and making that a real priority in my life. Whilst doing that, I am also exercising and making sure I’m getting outside alot more.
This pandemic has really affected alot of us. Whether its your mental health declining or gaining a few pounds and moving less. It has changed alot of us. Personally, when I am a larger size it really has a negative effect on my mental health. I feel more down and anxious about things. They really don’t lie when they say exercise is good for our minds. It really is.
I have been exercising 5 days a week. With running and doing some body weight exercises too. I have really loved moving my body more, and have been challenging my friends to competitions to help stay motivated. Of course, there have still been down days, but they are few and far between now. Which I am thankful of.
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THE DOWNSIDE OF BEING AN EMPATH
Do you ever feel like when something bad happens to someone you love, you take on their pain too? I have come to realise over the last year or so that I am through and through an empath. Someone will tell me an awful situation they are going through, and it will be on my mind for months and really affect my mood. This is not a bad thing, but it’s not always great when you are suffering yourself.
I know there are so many empaths in the world, but boy am I tired sometimes. I really hate to see my loved ones going through a bad time, and I know its a common thing. But I feel like sometimes, I unnecessarily take on their problems when I don’t need to. Do any fellow empaths feel the same? I tend to feel overwhelmed quickly and that in turn does not help my mental state.
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THINGS ARE GOING GOOD
At the moment, I feel like I am in a really good place mentally. Like most people, some days are better than others and honestly that it just the rollercoaster of life. I thought I would share some of the things I have been doing to keep positive most days. They are small things, but big things in the grand scheme of life.
- Trying new shows – Anybody with anxiety will know how this can be a struggle. I have comfort shows that I binge watch over and over again. I didn’t even realise this was a thing before I looked it up online. And then I realised I did it! It can be quite hard for me to start a new show. I don’t know what might happen and I don’t know if it will be positive for me, so I tend to shy away from it. So something new I have been doing is fighting those thoughts. I have tried a couple new shows and it has been successful! If you have any recommendations, leave me some below!
- Exercising with friends – When I started my fitness journey I started it by myself (with the help of my coach.) Over the last few months I have managed to convince one of my friends to come running with me and it has been so much fun. We catch up and get some good exercise in at the same time. I have also been taking my mom on runs too! One major thing I did was going to the gym with my brother. I have been enjoying this so much!
- Getting up earlier and going to bed earlier – I am no where near a night owl, but as I get more and more anxious I notice that I stay up later and later each night. So lately I have been making sure that I head to bed earlier. I have really enjoyed going to sleep earlier and getting a good nights rest. Sleep is so important for our mental health.
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Let’s have a mental health catch up! How are you doing? Have you been doing good recently? What do you do to make your days more positive? Let’s chat.
I can’t wait to connect with you guys in the comments! I think it’s important that we check up on each other and are open and honest with how we are. We are a community, so we should support each other!
It sounds like you have a handle on your weight loss goal. I started walking five miles a day before the pandemic. I lost 30 pounds. COVID slowed me down. I need to get back with it again. My big issue is I had to have knee surgery. I’m better, but not 100 percent yet.
Thats amazing! 5 miles, wow. Covid really messed up alot of things for people didn’t it?
I hope you heal from that soon. A family member of mine had knee surgery this year too and its been a slow, tough recovery.
Being empathic can be a nightmare. I had to teach myself when walking into a group to visualize closing a door and locking it tightly. Otherwise I would become overwhelmed. I taught my son the same mental move to help him also. For family and friends, it is more difficult because of the closer association.
I really love this idea, I need to do this myself. It can be so hard to not take on everybody else’s troubles. I’m glad I’m not the only one who struggles with this!
I struggled for a very long time. I had no idea, I thought something was wrong with me somehow. I don’t recall the exact aha moment, of being empathic but once I did, I began to search for ways of helping myself. When I realized my son was also strongly empathic I told him what I did with the door. I’m not sure when or if he found his own ways, but I know he’s doing better. I think just knowing is a step forward. You want to help the world, but can’t. But you also don’t want to admit that you can’t. So the measures to help yourself by blocking what you can is essential.
I love this so much. Thank you for sharing!
You are very welcome.
That’s a very thoughtful post! Well done!
Thanks so much!
You are welcome!
I love this idea of a mental health catch up! I need to do this with my friends & my family😊
for sure! Its really good for us to check in with each other. How are you today?
I’m doing well! Just spending time with my family. Hope everything is going well with you too😊
It is thank you. Good to hear you’re doing well!
This is such a good idea for a post, thank you for opening up this conversation. Definitely feel you on being an empath, for me it doesn’t even have to be someone I’m close to but just knowing that someone else i know is going through pain can feel like a lot of weight to carry!
I feel like this aswell sometimes. It can be really hard to not take on everybody else’s problems!
Great post, thanks for sharing. I shared my first post regarding mental health earlier today and found it comforting to know I’m not the only one that thinks we need to be having these conversations now more than ever as a result of Covid. I really enjoyed reading this.
I really do aswell. We forget we have been through something so traumatic and life changing. Our whole worlds have been flipped upside down. So its something we should all be aware of and speaking to others to make sure we are all doing okay is a small thing we can do.
I’ve been following your health and fitness stuff and it kind of inspired me to get back out there! I joined a running group and absolutely love it! You are inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
Yay! I love this so much.
It’s SO good to have these chats with your friends and family -they are real lifesavers! Glad to know you are doing well with your weight loss journey & connecting spiritually.
I have been lacking in actually taking care of myself and now really looking forward to having a break from work so I can prioritise my mental health.
A great read as always💞 x
Yes girl. Get that break! Its so important for us mentally and physically! x
So important to have these “catch ups”
Good to hear that you are being in a good place. Supports is very important.
I knew I was an empath too and after reading your blog, it feels so good to not feel too crazy regarding it. But to answer your question, I haven’t been too well. I lost my father to an unexpected death 2 months ago and I’m trying every day to keep myself from falling apart. But you know what they say “You gotta move on”, and I’ve been trying to do that ever since. But it was nice reading your blog. It kinda lightened up my mood.
For more on mental health, check out my blog too! I post a lot about that. https://hannahscrazysoul.wpcomstaging.com/
I really like it, it’s beautifully written. Kudos
I can relate to those who don’t have friends and family they can lean on and you are right to appreciate that blessing!
step one is being aware of the state your mind is in and actively doing things to cater to your mental! i love your openness! keep at it girl.
Thank you for writing this post. It is a comfort to many people being able to have somewhere to open up. I hope this helps with yourself too. I think this is a great post!