My blog is 6 months old. So it only seems fitting I write a blog to celebrate this milestone.
It's been a tempestuous 6 months full or mixed emotions and experiences.
There's been some massive positives, coming off anti-depressants and feeling mentally well enough to go on holiday and do all the things we had planned to do, which are just 2 things for me to feel proud of.
It's still a long long road and every day I am learning something more about myself, or new about mental health. I am still having my counseling sessions but have also this week added hypnotherapy to the mix. I'm hoping the combination of CBT dealing with my ingrained behaviors and hypnotherapy to visualise the positive future will further assist my recovery.
So what have I learnt in the last 6 months? It's about balance, but balance for me and my life. Mindfulness and self-care, along with not expecting too much from myself (like my high expectational habits). There are going to be some days where the anxiety is crippling and it's ok to stay at home and have some R&R until it passes. There are going to be some days where I can do the things I want to do. All in all it's about trying and learning to create the right balance and not putting too much pressure on myself when things don't go the way I expected or wanted.
The blog has been an amazing way for me to share my own journey but also explore the plethora of issues that surround mental health. Thank you to each and every reader who has taking the time to read my musings. Thank you to those who have asked questions and engaged with me in order to understand better. Thank you to those who have made suggestions for things for me try on my journey.
A separate thank you to my family and friends, for your continued support. Particularly my brother who regardless of how busy you are, you always check in and put up with my 100mph thoughts and ideas and constant requests of "can you read this for me before I publish?".
To my long suffering and immensely patient husband. I am certainly not the easiest of people to put up with or deal with at my worst, but you do it anyway, which tells me all I need. This whole experience has made us an even tighter unit and this October we celebrate 15 years together. I could not have done any of this without you.
So in order to mark this milestone I have created a Facebook page, called 'Sestra' for me to share my blog, inspirational quotes, guidance and support and much more. Along with the odd cheeky giveaway. I hope to go on to develop the page to include some handmade helpful products. Keep an eye out for my first giveaway.
So all that's left for me to say is thank you again for sharing my journey, never be afraid to talk about how you feel, never be ashamed of talking about how you feel. I continue to welcome questions and suggestions and you can send these to me via messenger on the new page, or via the new email address which is natalie_sestra@outlook.com.
If you've been following my blog, please please follow and like my new page too.
Big love as ever N x
Thank you for your lovely comments. Good luck with your bog I look forward to reading and sharing your journey too x x x
Thanks for this Nat, it has helped reading your journey & your positivity, it is very inspirational. I have suffered for 25+yrs of Clinical Depression, numerous ongoing medications, therapy, psychologists etc but despite the events of the past few weeks, I remain adamant I will fight on, I will get through this blip too. I will be starting to write blogs soon, I hope it helps me & like you, help others xxx