#GetTheInsideOut

When the Lloyds Bank campaign for Mental Health was released, I was chuffed to bits. Very rarely do you see Mental Health on our television's, unless it's on a programme in which is a secure unit. It's as if we are labelled to be 'mental' (excuse the pun), and we cannot be seen as normal. As if you only have a mental illness if you are placed in a secure unit.

After suffering with mental health for almost 8 years now, I have decided to use my illness both creatively an postively to impact others. I aim to help other suffering individuals feel as if they are able to reach out for help, and break the stigma. I can't do it alone, but this is just the beginning. I shall be participating in MH projects which shall also help me on the road to recovery, starting off with the #GetTheInsideOut campaign. I am more than my illnesses and I am looking forward to see what the future holds.

I have currently posted this on my personal Facebook and Instagram, and doing so is scaryto say the least. It is hard enough to admit you have a mental illness to yourself, let alone to all of your close friends and family, alongside strangers. But using social media and my voice to influence others in coming forward, allowing them to understand that they are still normal and loved is something I have wished to do for quite a while.

It's time to end the romanticized side of mental health, break the stigma and allow ourselves to feel free when discussing our issues.

#ProjectIAmNotAshamed

On Saturday 18th August 2018, individuals are encouraged to step outside in their community with a sign which reads "I have (your mental illness) or I am a loved one of someone with (their disorder) and I am not ashamed. Break the Stigma #ProjectIAmNotAshamed".

The project was created by Ross Trowbridge in order to allow individuals whom suffer with mental health attempt to break the stigma and prove that they are not ashamed of their mental illness.

This is a fantastic project which allows those who are suffering to unite in breaking the stigma, and I applause Ross for all of the hard work he has put into the project so far.

I'll be getting involved, will you?

You can find more information on the project here:
https://borderlineinwaterl.wixsite.com/projectiamnotashamed

#ProjectIAmNotAshamed

05.02.18

New Month, New Start (?)

I'm winging life right now, and due to my mental health deteriorating, that's the best thing I can do.

As exclaimed in my previous post, I aim to be more creative this year and during the time I am doing this, I hope to discover my true self.

This post again, is pretty much a ramble and unfortunately we're going to have to develop a list of crap like the mainstream bloggers do. However, here is what my aims are for February:

• Create a DIY Self Care Box - Reading about these online, I've finally become keen on the idea after several years of thinking "what a load of crap, stop romanticizing my shitty feelings". A self care box doesn't have to be the same as those created on Pinterest or YouTube, so I'm going to fill it with all sorts of rubbish which reminds me of the good times.
• Buy more clothes - I probably shouldn't, according to my overflowing wardrobe and bank balance, but I aim to dress how I wish to, rather than following 'fashion' like a sheep. Goodbye to websites like PLT and Missguided...I'm not suitable for your figure hugging linen, so back to vintage it is for me. 

• Write poems - One of my very little talents. I love creative writing, and it's a great way to remove my feelings from overflowing the mind. The best bit is, no one has to read them, so I can still keep everything to myself.
• Exercise - I know. I said before I wouldn't be one of those people posting their exercise regime, however I aim to walk more seeing as exercising releasing endorphins, which are beneficial for mental health. 

Let's see how long this lasts for...

Autumn

30.01.18

It's been a while, and there's no excuses other than being uninspired by life.

I could go on with all the "new year, new me" rubbish, but let's cut the chase.
My blog began as me following inspiration from mainstream bloggers. You know, all the 'fashion, beauty, life' malarkey; showing everyone my diet plans, exercise regime and laying out my breakfast neatly to capture the perfect photo, even if I didn't intend to eat it.
Towards the end of 2017, I then decided to change the name of my blog and aim to post only make-up looks, and well, that didn't last long.

The only way I can describe it is 'New Year, New Blog', and I'll guess that will have to do. But the past week or so I have found myself driven by reading and writing once more. The stuff I feel I actually belong to.
I guess that is all I have to say during this post, and maybe I should apologise for the lack of perfectly laid out brunch on a marble top, or Tumblr worthy photographs of the sunset, but that's not my style, hence why there shall be no apology.

If you have been a previous reader of my blog, or even a passer by, I wish to thank you for reading my ranting and rambling. Although not entirely sure where this is to lead me, I believe that this is simply just the beginning.

Hopefully some of you will stick around, some of you may not, but it's going to be in interesting journey as I learn to create once more.

Autumn