It’s OK, not to feel OK. But do you want to live there?

It’s OK, not to feel OK. But I would suggest it’s not a place you want to stay. It’s no fun whatsoever, and let’s face it, right now we could all do with a bit of fun.

Why the picture? Why not. That’s me today. Glasses, ISO haircut, courtesy of my kitchen scissors, and unshaven. The reality of working from home.

Stop comparing yourself to the perfect parent, that is doing arts and crafts with their kids every afternoon, in full makeup, or the dude training for a triathlon in their back garden. I found it super useful to limit or potentially drop your Instagram and Facebook consumption for a while. 

You are you, be happy with that.

I’ve had my own struggles with mental health in the past. So what did I do? Well, firstly you need to look after yourself each and every day, which is more important now than ever. These are tough times. We don’t know when it will end, or what the world will look like when it does.

My suggestion, go and talk to a friend. A real friend, that you can be open with. Talk it through, tell them how you feel and work out what the problem is and a plan to get you out of your funk.

What you should do:

• If you need to speak to a professional, go and do it. If you’re thinking “I don’t know what I’d say to them”, don’t worry about it, they will.
• If you need to take a lower-level role, because no one is hiring at your level, do it. Your pride won’t pay your mortgage or feed your kids. 

What you shouldn’t do:

• Numb yourself with NETFLIX. You’re are just going to compound your feelings after the 4/8/12 hour marathon, as the feelings or problems that were there earlier are still there and another day has passed while you have done nothing about it.

(How do I know, because this is just one of the many things I’ve done and if you keep doing it, it just gets worse.)

I can’t remember where I heard this, but I now believe it with all my heart:

“MOOD FOLLOWS ACTION”

If this is you, where you are currently is horrible. So please talk to someone about it. It does get better. Or if you know someone who you think may be suffering, talk to them. It’s good to talk.

Remember mates matter and so do you.