R U OK Day

RUOK.  I’m a big advocate of mental health. This years message for the RUOK day campaign is to reach out and make a difference by asking “RUOK” but then being prepared to listen and asking any follow up questions. Life can be completely overwhelming and this year has thrown more at us collectively than it has for a while. I’m big on rituals and routines – meditation, exercise, journaling, gardening, earthing ourselves, jumping in the ocean, getting lots of fresh air and sunshine, dancing around the house – whatever it is that works for you. And I also know that sometimes when we’re in the depths of despair these things are the last things you feel like doing. So if you’re feeling a bit wobbly or completely discombobulated, reach out, get courageous and don’t feel like you have to carry it all on your own. I know this from experience. I lived for years outwardly happy with an always sunny disposition. But underneath I was spiralling - living with fear, guilt, remorse and was scared of everything. 16 years ago (on the 8th of November), I hit rock bottom, reached out for help and started the journey. It was hard. And its still hard sometimes. But actually having the initial courage to know I couldn’t do it all on my own turned out to be so damn liberating and the best thing I ever did. I guess my message is, know that you’re not alone. People often present the shiny happy version of themselves, but underneath most people have something going on. Big love xx L