My Cat Yuki

I still remember over three years ago the excitement I felt as I went to the local RSPCA to pick out a cat. I hadn't left the house for a week, or showered in two days but at the thought of getting my very own cat was motivation enough to shower and dress. I remember my …

Travelling while mentally ill

I am in the middle of my first overseas trip by myself and thought this would be a good time to reflect on what it’s like travelling while having a mental illness, some of the lessons I’ve learned and my experiences. 1. You can’t be happy all the time. I’m really struggling with this reality …

Opinion: does talking about depression have to be depressing?

This post is inspired by Sadie's post about whether or not to open up about her depressive symptoms on her blog for fear of them not being "happy" enough. Check out her post here. I think there's a common misconception that talking about depression is all doom and gloom. Talking about suicide doesn't encourage suicide, …

My guest post at The Patchwork Fox

https://thepatchworkfox.com/2020/02/12/living-with-c-ptsd-guest-post/ I’m afraid of elevators. The confined space doesn’t bother me so much, it’s to do with being trapped in a private area with a stranger. I’m afraid they’ll hurt me. Rape me. That’s what trauma does to a person. It tears apart every part of you that is trusting and replaces it with suspicion …

Poetry Corner: Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath has been my favourite author ever since I was 13, and I'm going to discuss one of my (many) favourite poems by her, called Tulips. Tulips was written in 1961, Plath was inspired to write this poem while hospitalised for an appendectomy. Although she was in hospital for a physical condition, to me …

Blackness

Days like this I don't know what to do with myself- all day, and all night- Fiona Apple Today is black. It is ridden with anxiety. I feel like I can't breathe. I just want to be asleep. I don't know what to do with myself. There are a million productive things that I could …

Hairdressers and social anxiety

To the right of me is a customer happily chatting away to their hairdresser, enjoying an ease of exchange of conversation that I would die for. I brought my book and proceeded to bury myself in it. I don’t want to appear anti social, I just don’t quite get the hang of the being social …

Things I learned from my friend’s suicide attempt

*Please be warned, this post may be triggering* I wrote yesterday about my experience of finding out about my friend's suicide attempt, and decided to write a post about what I learned about interacting with someone who has just attempted suicide. I write this post having known several people who have attempted suicide, and have …

My Friend

*Please be warned, this post mentions suicide and may be triggering* Today I learned something terrible. A friend of mine attempted suicide. I'm in shock. I'm heartbroken. And feeling suicidal myself. I'm trying to navigate how to interact with my friend who is in so much pain. I don't know what to say other than …

Writing about writing

I've been having writer's block lately. Not just because I'm uninspired, unmotivated and doubting my own abilities, but because I'm severely depressed. Being depressed adds an extra obstacle to writing. It makes it feel almost impossible some days. It makes maintaining hobbies a challenge rather than a fun activity. I've tried writing for the sake …