In a sense, this is a ‘Tale of Two Cities’ or, more accurately, two countries; actually three if you count this one. This short tale is about asking for help when you don’t think you need it. It is a tale of contradictions. In 2011 I moved, with my wife and two daughters, from a…
Did you know there are three aspects of happiness? In order to feel truly happy, we have to fulfil each of these areas: Pleasure, Engagement and Meaning. Let’s briefly explore why each of these components are important to your happiness; what activities might look like in each area; and the kind of things that could…
Take a look at the other side of confident comedian, Rhod Gilbert, in his documentary “Stand Up to Shyness” and see how stand up boosts the confidence of his three volunteers. Stand-up comedian Rhod Gilbert is painfully shy. Yes, he can stand up in front of 20,000 people and make them laugh but he finds it…
No one should feel alone, broken and ashamed, like I did. I remember how I felt like there was something really wrong with me. I was afraid to do anything that would put me at the centre of attention and open me up to judgement. I expected negative judgement from anyone who saw or heard…
Talking about our self-doubt and our anxieties in social situations is still taboo. We tend to think we should be able to do certain things, like talk to strangers and speak up, just because other people seem to manage with ease. It can feel like we’re the only person struggling. Then there’s the stigma we experience when…
We’re on a gentle mission to quietly and creatively bring people together from all over Cornwall living with feelings of low confidence, social anxiety and depression. We’re running a Coffee Cake Create evening at Old Bakery Studios on World Mental Health Day (that’s Tuesday 10th October) – and you’re invited. Wait! Before you tell me “I…
To the Emergency Nurse, on the day I chose to die by suicide: When I arrived in the Emergency Department, 19 years old and blushing under my tear-stained cheeks, do you remember the words you spoke to me? You said, “Did you do this for attention?” Perhaps you’ve spoken the same words to other introverted, socially anxious…