How I learnt to be comfortable with myself and what others say about me

How I learnt to be comfortable with myself and what others say about me

Over time, I’ve noticed a switch in my mentality. From taking a powerless perspective of things happening to me, completely wrapped up in how I felt at the time, to being able to focus on what I’ve learnt from those situations. Essentially, I’ve been moving from taking a negative and powerless view of my experiences…

Searching for the rare gems that can hold space for us when we’re feeling suicidal
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Searching for the rare gems that can hold space for us when we’re feeling suicidal

As I was driving, alone in the darkness, tears streaming down my face, despair took over and told me how easy it would be to end my pain right here, right now, high speed. The tears came the moment I reached the sanctuary of my car. This had been building up for some time but…

Could social media be compounding social anxiety?
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Could social media be compounding social anxiety?

Feelings of social anxiety seem to have happened gradually for me; they kind of crept up on me into adulthood. So I started thinking about how the development of society may have subconsciously affected me, such as the “big brother” phenomena, the rise of public CCTV placement instilling the idea of being continually watched, without…

4 ways painting rocks helps me to manage social anxiety
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4 ways painting rocks helps me to manage social anxiety

Between a Rock And A Hard Place Have you ever heard the phrase ‘everything can change in an instant’?  I realised how true that is a few weeks ago, when an unexpected discovery helped me find a new way to challenge my feelings of anxiety and depression. I had forced myself to go out for…

Why it’s worth choosing connection over avoidance
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Why it’s worth choosing connection over avoidance

You know how it is when you get talking to someone and that quiet excitement bubbles up inside because they feel so aligned with where you are and it’s almost like the universe has sent them your way? Well, I was lucky enough to have one of those awesome connections yesterday. It’s funny to think…

Fun, Fresh Air, New Friends: How community gardening can grow your confidence

Fun, Fresh Air, New Friends: How community gardening can grow your confidence

Have you ever thought about joining a community gardening group, but lacked the confidence to do so? If yes, you are like me a few years ago before I discovered my hidden garden guru. I wanted to find out more about gardening and wasn’t sure what to do next. So I signed up for an…

Why you’re not falling behind in life, even if you feel like you’re failing
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Why you’re not falling behind in life, even if you feel like you’re failing

Most of the time I feel like I’m running late for my own life; while everyone else seems to be on time for theirs or maybe even ahead of schedule. Sometimes, I wish I lived in outer space. In space, time doesn’t matter like it does here on earth. I lay in bed, unable to…

What I’d like my family to know about my experience of social anxiety
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What I’d like my family to know about my experience of social anxiety

Looking back, I never used to feel “socially anxious” whilst growing up.  I remember feeling shy as a kid when meeting relatives or strangers, but even when I first started working I felt okay. Anxious feelings kind of crept up on me into adulthood and, I think for me personally, feelings of social anxiety occurred…

The Therapeutic Benefit of Creative Writing: Finding a voice when I was unsure I had one. 

The Therapeutic Benefit of Creative Writing: Finding a voice when I was unsure I had one. 

Writing creatively can be very therapeutic. Research has shown that oral and written storytelling can enrich our spiritual and cultural lives and help us heal from past traumas and abuse. Sometimes people write their own life narrative and their writing is autobiographical in nature. Writing about daily experiences, that is, writing rooted in one’s own…

4 simple techniques to ease anxiety as a wedding guest

4 simple techniques to ease anxiety as a wedding guest

In the early budding stage of our relationship, my boyfriend’s sister invited me to her wedding. Upon receiving this news, I mentally responded in two ways. Firstly I was filled with elation, after all, she was betting on us being together a whole year into the future, a potentially risky move for a bride. Who…