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HushFest is on the horizon. Cornwall’s festival of quietness, shaped by our community. |
Keep dancing… don’t worry about being perfect So many of us won’t allow ourselves the freedom to be silly and expressive. We’re so worried about what other people think of us; we feel we must be calm, cool and collected to be ‘good enough’. “We hustle for our worthiness by slipping on the emotional and…
Never enough I’m not alone in being self-conscious of my appearance. By the age of 16, I was a size 8, or “far too skinny” and “barely eating” as my dad reminded me recently. I always thought I was too fat. Never skinny enough. Never pretty enough. Never tall enough, tanned enough or blonde enough. I…
When you don’t ask for what you need because you don’t want to inconvenience someone Asking for what you need really isn’t easy, and even more so when you feel that what you need isn’t fully understood by other people. One particular example for me is my need for an uncluttered environment. The way that…
The distance between my brain and my mouth seems so much further than for other people… Something that always bothered me was the fact that I didn’t think very quickly. If I was put on the spot I would completely freeze at times. It’s like the distance between my brain and my mouth is so…
I’m just a drop in the ocean, but look at the ripple effect one drop can make… I’m continuing to share my stories more and more publicly, and I’m helping others to do this too. This is Jenny and Tony from BBC Spotlight. Today, myself and three ladies from our speaking club met with Jenny for…
Letting go of being cool I don’t know many people who get on the same level as the local wildlife and talk to them as if they understand what they’re saying. I do. And I love it when I’m with someone who will crouch down next to me and appreciate the beauty of a swan,…
How one shared story can create vulnerability in a whole family I’m feeling really vulnerable as I’m sharing my stories. I know that this is natural and what I really want is to let you to know that this is what’s going on for me. I know it’s not always clear from the outside! There…
Suicide is not a selfish act During my recent suicide prevention course, ASIST, I listened to a Police Officer talking about how she believed people who attempted to end their lives are selfish because they leave behind friends and family who suffer in the long run. I felt really hurt by this, and angry that…
When feeling socially anxious impacts on your physical health too Exercise and fitness has been a huge trigger for me over the years. Comparison and fear of judgement has kept me from improving my fitness in the way I wanted. I HATED P.E when I was at school. Sometimes I would hide in the toilets or…
The vulnerability in blushing I’ve always been someone who blushes. I would go bright red in the face and come up in a blotchy red rash on my chest in any situation where I would be noticed and even where I thought about being in uncomfortable situations – not just during presentations! It could be any…
Qualifications are armour that I wear to hide my self-doubt In my career I’ve never felt like I’m good enough, like I know enough or I’m competent enough. I imagine that I’ll feel competent and knowledgeable when I learn this or practise that; when I get the next advanced certification or when so and so says…
What stops me from accessing mental health services when I need them? When I overdosed at the age of 19, the nurse in the Emergency Department asked “Did you do it for attention?” I was referred to a counsellor. I wasn’t comfortable with her. I wanted to express all these feelings about not being good enough…