If we hide our emotions from our children, we are then teaching them to do the same. So be happy, be sad, be angry, be anxious. Be real. Because when we hold onto our emotions, we become unwell and it's time to move away from this era, where those who suffer with their mental health are made to feel shame. And let's be real here, those who suffer with their mental health, includes each and ever one of us.
It's important to remember, that there is a difference between feeling and expressing our emotions and being governed by them. A big difference. The longer you hold on, the more they tend to govern us.
Back in the day, I trained to work in mental health. As a community mental health nurse. I loved my work, but I struggled greatly with the system that I worked for. There was so much that I didn't agree with. Especially how medicated everyone was. With Pharmaceutical's always being the first line of treatment. Which in turn, creates even bigger issues.
I believed (rather naively) that I may be able to help change things from the inside. Try to find ways in which to empower those I worked with, instead of making them dependant on the system. But it wasn't easy. Because most people, put all their trust in their doctors and in doing so, hand their power over to them.
I worked for almost ten years in the system, mainly in London and Western Australia. I got burned out and fell pregnant and that was the end of my career in mental health. I've always remained passionate about spreading mental health awareness, but in my own way. So more on a one to one basis, by sharing my experiences and what insight I have, with people who come into my life, including those I reach, by writing on here.
Today though, I met up with a friend of mine, Danny, who along with his wonderful partner and some other wonderful folk, have set up the Free Folk Project. You can check it out here at www.freefolk.co or watch the video below. You might even recognise someone in it. Its an amazing project, which really resonates with me. Danny is present on different media platforms as, Dear Danny, where he shares his powerful message in a hugely enthusiastic way.
I met with him, because he wants to create a peer to peer support network, for whoever needs it. I can't go into too much details, as its early days. But I knew when I heard about it, that I wanted to be a part of it. To help out in anyway, that I can.
Today, was our opportunity to chat, to share, to hear each others visions, desires and see if they were similar. I am someone who is full of ideas, I've had dreams of creating projects to help empower people. I've written about them on here in the past, everything from rewilding, to creating the Weave To Empower association. But as a solo mama, its a heavy load to carry on your own.
Today it felt like, I was finally connecting with the right person at the right time. Because we both share the same opinions when it comes to what we think is needed.
I am no one's saviour, it's not my place to rescue anyone. Walk alongside you yes, listen, yes. Co create, a big fat yes. We both had a lot to say, which was great, as its something we are both very passionate about. I feel really excited about what my involvement will be. Because I do want to help make a change, I want a better world for my girls and I'll be doing all I can, to bring it about.
So for now, all I can say, is watch this space. I will be sharing any new developments, as they occur.
