These last six months have been ๐ง๐ข๐จ๐๐.
Lockdown was hard. We had to adjust to changes in how we live and work, and the social isolation that came with it.
We somehow managed to claw back some piece of normality, and just as we were adjusting to that, many of us were faced with further restrictions, regional lockdowns, and a removal of some of the freedoms we had begun to savour once again.
I, personally, have found the last few months hard. Living alone with no family nearby means that the majority of my social interactions come from the office – so working from home all day alone, while spending most of my day on video calls, can feel very isolated.
While I am still so lucky to be able to see my boyfriend, my horses, and some friends at the stables – more than many currently do – itโs never quite the same as if life were โnormalโ, and we could spend quality time and do the things we enjoy together.
The quality of my sleep, which has a direct impact on my mental health, has really suffered these last few months, and Iโve seen my mental health that Iโve worked so hard to mind carefully, deteriorate. Itโs not something I was entirely aware of until I actually took a break away from the four walls of my house, broke my routine and got some headspace.
The good news is I know what works to improve my mental health – so I just need to prioritise taking better care of myself, and put my mental health first for a period of time, then Iโll be back on track.
๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ฅ๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ก๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฉ๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ช๐๐จ ๐๐ฉ ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ ๐ฅ๐ค๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ง ๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐จ – but when you are struggling, it can feel like you are the only one.
Today I opened up to a friend about how I was feeling (despite feeling scared to do it) and I feel like an immense weight has been lifted. All they did was listen, and tell me that it was ok to feel this way, and that I could get through this. And it was all I needed.
If you are struggling, know that you are not alone, even if it feels like it. Tell someone, anyone how you are feeling. The scary part of reaching out is worth it, I promise 