Quotes are not normally my thing
For those of you who’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know I don’t normally do quotes. So why the quotes today? Wellllll, if you’ve seen my last post about my suicidal thoughts and plan, you’ll know I’m not in a great space right now.
A friend sent me a beautiful friendship quote, and it got me thinking — keep my brain occupied today — reading quotes for a while. And now, I’d like to share some with you.
This one makes a lot of sense to me and I want people to know that mental illness, showing emotion or crying does not make us weak. In fact, our many and varied struggles have made us stronger.
Having had to struggle through the hard times, pain and suffering, and that feeling of drowning in quicksand, we’ve toughened up.
We’ve had to learn new skills and coping mechanisms and, we’ve realised strengths we previously weren’t aware of.
In the words of Bob Marley “You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.”
Standing up for mental health
As an ex-nurse mental health nurse, and someone who experiences mental illness, I remain extremely passionate about raising awareness. I’m a determined advocate fighting the stigma, social exclusion and discrimination that come with mental illness.
I’ll continue shouting out about mental illness, encouraging others to talk about their mental health and illness. Let’s all open up, reach out, and fight to get the right treatment, the right support we need and deserve, when we need it.
In my quest for change and improvement in mental health services, particularly for women, I do lots of reading and writing; to our government leaders and MP’s. I’ve just some interesting articles saying “All Women Should Be Screened For Anxiety Disorders,“
One article goes on to say “Young women ages 13 and up, including those who are pregnant or have just given birth, should be screened for anxiety at routine visits,” according to a Women’s Preventive Services Initiative (WPSI) recommendation released March 2016.
The WPSI was established with the aim of improving women’s health in the USA, across their lifespan. Whoop, whoop, people, leaders, organisations, really are beginning to stand up, and trying to make a difference.
To wind up, I’ll leave a few more quotes for today. They either mean something to me, or I find them amusing, or just because…..
Over to you
Well, you know how cr*p my week’s been, and that I’m getting out of London for a few days. We’ll be sitting by the lake in the late summer sunshine, surrounded by woodland, fresh air and good company.
Thankfully there’s only six of us, ‘cos you’ve heard about the new law in England, right? It’s currently against the law to be out in public with more than six people. Ooops, I forgot. That means my niece is going to have to sit two metres away from us — in her own white painted circle that’s appeared in the park overnight! No worries, we’ll chuck over alcopops and stuff so she doesn’t feel left out.
So what’s your week been like, and will your weekend by full of happiness and sunshine?
I love the quotes!!!!! I hope you feel better soon!!!!! Please take care of yourself!!!
Thank you Meg x
You will know one of my issues at work was lack of deaf awareness, lack of patience towards me because I am deaf, or accessibility by some people at work, because masks not removed so I could lipread.
Well my last night at work before being on annual leave, I decided to email my boss about how I hate cleaning the area I currently clean because of the above.
My boss escalsted this and spoke with people prior my shift about how to make it better for me. One of them has his sulky face on as he does, when things are said. He wouldn’t need his sulky face if he gave me the access.
She agrees deaf awareness needs to be better. I think if I understood right, some deaf awareness will be sorted. There are 2 other people in another department that are deaf in some way and feel the same apparently on things when it comes to deaf awareness.
I seen my boss prior to my shift and I also decided to raise the other two issues I hadn’t raised with her that I was also upset about. Hence the last 3 weeks I feel I should be wearing a certain t-shirt. (I blogged about the t-shirt I feel I ought to wear on my new blog with not posting anything on my WP one now, than the scheduled posts.) I seen her speak to that person so whether it was about how she was with me recently, I don’t know.
I am on annual leave since yesterday in both jobs and not back until Wednesday. I shall enjoy my break that’s for sure.
I’m glad your boss has taken this on board Liz, of course they need to address the issue. And people need to be more aware and understanding!
Good, you enjoy the break 🙂 x
I will certainly enjoy my break. 🙂
Happy Monday to you:)
Thank you. Same to you.
One of my favorites is: ‘Experience is the hardest teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterwards. Oscar Wilde.
Enjoy your weekend!
That’s a good one, thank you and you have a super Sunday xx
I always liked John Lennon’s “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”. You know, you might spend the day thinking about something else and, hey, at the end of it, you got through another day. With some of the people I speak to, I have no ability to perform any counselling, all I can do is take their minds off their problems for a short while.
I like the last quote regarding chaos. The Glen Close quote is pretty good too! And, I too have had trouble finding good quotes and sayings. Some of them are good, while others are just plan wrong. In my opinion and experience.
I love seeing the odd quotes as I’m reading and I always think, wow, I’ll use that one day. Then I forget it when I’m writing some days later 🙂
I find quotes to be about 50/50 in terms of truth, myself.
My week will be full of breathing smoke, just like the last four weeks.
That doesn’t sound so good. Hope you manage to get a break over the weekend.
It wasn’t too bad this morning. I went for a 16 mile bike ride. That helped a little… :\
Glad you found something that helped, at least for a little while.
Thank you 🙂 I feel like I’m just breaking down over all the disappointments, and the big decisions I might have to make soon…
Big decisions can be really scary, but if you’re prepared , things might go a little bit better than you thought. Good luck with your big decision, and I’m sure you’ll do the right thing.
I feel like there is no right thing in this case.
Well, I hope it all turns out okay in the end 🙂
Great quotes and post!
Just a week like every other week!
Happy…Sad
Good…Bad
Trump…Biden
Oh so maddening
Like I’ve been had!
Coronavirus?
Yes…No…Nada…Not So Bad!
Lol, funny. Thank you for making me smile 🙂
Some really great quotes there 😊 I hope your trip helps to make you feel a little better, take care x
Thanks Jess. It was called off. That’s definitely a new post on Monday.
Oh no! Catching up on blogs tonight after work so I’ll have a read then but I’m sorry to hear that ☹
Thanks so much for checking out my blog recently! I hope you decide to follow as I would really appreciate your support! Thanks so much!
Done Ena, and looking forward to finding some some more about you and your blog 🙂
Really enjoyed the quotes especially the first one! It is so important to kick toxic people out of your life.
Oh yes. They just drag you down with them 🙁
I understand where you are. But you do amazing with your blog and information for people – there is purpose in that!! Absolutely!
And I know maybe you don’t currently feel it – but to read one page of your blog – you have a strength and a ?? character to you … not sure if I say that correctly but you do!!
Awareness on this subject is actually vital, and with your experience that makes it great!!
And when you speak and write it all down… not only does it help you to release that pressure a little bit – but also… you put that out there for someone else who may be feeling the same and can connect to your words
There is nothing wrong with having depression from time to time.
The problem comes when it’s kept to self… then you fall down the hole 🕳
Sometimes people get depressed and then they feel they can not say that because either they will be judged or no one wants to listen… but that’s wrong
Not only are there people who have been there, but also ones who care or maybe even some who are going through same thing.
Make sure you do self care – also make sure you be whoever you are and want to be… don’t ever let someone tell you who you should be or how you should feel… say what you want… when you are free to be as you are or want to be – the right people will fall into your life … and sometimes those are incredible blessings you didn’t see coming!!
Don’t carry expectations for people, they will let you down if you do. Not saying in a bad way, per sé… but we all have different ways of seeing or being
My grandfather always used to say… be careful – before you go thinking you are the Ahole, first make sure you are not surrounded by aholes lol- I loved when he said that. ❤️
Laughter is good, find that where ever you can. It will help.
I went through a lot myself and still do… so here’s how I look at it…
I have aged 🤨😝… and I’ve been through hell and back… and I still get through crappy things…
So therefor – I know how a license to be as I wish and say whatever I please … I have hit that plateau lol 😄✌️ even if in my own mind – do whatever delights you.
What weighs you down… I’m gonna have to catch up
I do hope you are ok.
Ya know… I had to change what I believed and how I saw things – I still have to do that. I change all the time. I am also still sad or panicked over certain things … but whatever
Each day is something different and I get through it. I have my moments also fyi… but here is what I think…
So you have those moments where you just want to throw in the towel and say F it… what does it matter? You’re tired.
Have been there. Have been purely exhausted!! Totally done!! And have had those thoughts.
But then I always think – wait though – what I miss amazing … and what if I have a purpose ?
At the funeral home I see a lot of things… I see suicides … they are devastating – and I always think… it was not their time, so whatever it was they were meant for – will never happen. The course has changed because they took their life
What if you are meant to make a huge difference? And what if amazing is just around the corner?
Cause if you think about it, you have those hard moments in life … but like a rollercoaster – there are also extreme high moments
Life is not perfect. But please don’t give up… you do good drawing attention to mental illnesses. That is more important than you know!!
Anyway… I will keep rambling… but please stay strong, you definitely have purpose …
And let me just add – love is overrated lol… a fantasy in mind that was created by society and Disney lol … everyone wants to be loved and find that one incredible love… of course… well ok fine… me – I want that lol … maybe not everyone…
And you are going to have some that aren’t worth your time… make sure you believe you are worth it. Cause you are.
And if they didn’t love you the way you wanted – hold out for one who will.
Make sure your soul feels free, make sure you do what you are ok with, make sure you are happy with yourself, make sure you always learn
I do hope you are ok and doing ok. Stay strong and keep documenting your journey
For me writing is my release of that pressure – it has helped tremendously!!
Know you are supported and don’t feel alone cause you are definitely not!
Sorry I write novels – just happens… I’m old and been through a lot – I can do whatever I want now lol 😘✌️(ps is ok to have a little dream bubble too lol)
It will get better – but you do have to put effort into that, and if you already are, then maybe look at where you are putting your effort?
Sometimes I think I understand something – but I see it wrong. So I have to take a moment and readjust … that’s fine to do also.
Take a moment, have a big giant pity party, get through it – take a deep breath and move on.
I also think life can be like a bully sometimes… it will smack you down…
But what stops a bully is when you get back up.
Anyway – I will keep going with these things – I find it very hard to stop if someone needs encouragement
I do hope you are ok! You do actually have an intelligent blog and speak intelligent words ✌️ your words are important just so you know. 😘✌️
Take care ❤️
I really appreciate your encouraging, kind and thoughtful words, much needed in times of darkness. And you’re right, even when I’m finding it hard to get through the days, I know I have a purpose on this earth. It’s why I went into mental health nursing; to offer support, empathy, compassion, and kindness to others who experience mental illness. I only wish it was so easy to do the same when I’m struggling.
But I’ve read over your comments a few times this weekend, to remind myself that I can still make small differences, I do have good things in my life like supportive family and friends.
My weekend didn’t go as planned and I stayed at home 🙁 But it gave me some headspace and time to get my act together. My mood has shifted a bit and while it’s still not great, I’m going to keep working on it. I’ve been doing all kinds of relaxation, mindfulness, visualisation, and breathing exercises, using my mental health toolbox.
It made me realise that I hadn’t been looking after my mental health as much as I need to. It’s so easy to ignore when things are good. I know that if I had say asthma or diabetes, I’d have to keep taking preventative measures and I guess it’s the same with mental health – I must remember to take preventative measures using all my psychological tools — regularly.
My pity party is over — thank you for attending and for your support and understanding.
Caz x
Those are great quotes! I haven’t won $1 million yet this week, but other than that it’s going OK 🙂
Lol 😘
Ooo, I love that: “Don’t fall in love with someone who says the right things. Fall in love with someone who does the right things.” Though–*sigh*–I know it’s not always that easy.
It took me a long time to realise that one……… 😘
I love that Maya Angelou quote! It’s helped me get through plenty of difficult moments when I feel like I’ve made no impact anywhere. I am proud that you’re being honest about where you’re at and able to describe it so well. I’ve been going through some things as well this past week, so I appreciate seeing that I wasn’t as alone as I felt like I was. I appreciate you continuing to share your experience!
Yes, I like that one too, for the same reason. Thank you for your kind words Nathan, they mean a lot. And I really am glad that we can be honest and open and share our struggles, as well as our good times. I honestly don’t know where I’d have ended up last week without the kindness, compassion and empathy from yourself and others in our amazing blogging community. It certainly does help, knowing we’re not alone 🙂 I hope your week improves and have a nice weekend.
My weekend didn’t turn out as planned and my mood sank further but I’m definitely on the mend and all being well, I’ll get my happy weekend with my cousins as of tomorrow 🙂
I am glad you are feeling better, I’m sorry I missed this at the time.
I stopped reading for a short while and stayed away from social media, i find this helps when my Mental Health declines and has to take a break.
There are some great quotes in this blog x
Hey, no worries. Of course, we all need to take a break sometimes. I did so all weekend and I feel much fresher (in my head) now.