Are you thinking about starting a journaling habit but feeling lost about how to start? Or, are you looking to change the way you journal to focus more on mental wellbeing self-development? Journaling doesn’t have to be confusing and it doesn’t have to be perfect. All you need is a willingness to begin and keenness to experiment. Read on for my tips on what to write, how to start, and which journaling methods to use.
I can’t imagine not keeping a journal. Daily journal writing regularly is something I have done for as long as I can remember. I have all manner of journals, notebooks, and diaries, going back years. Journaling has always played a part in my mental wellbeing, although that wasn’t the reason I started. It was only in later years that I came to realize the benefits that journaling has for mental health. In this blog, I will share some of the ways I feel that journaling benefits our mental health and wellbeing.
In December of 2019, I received the wonderful news, that Jessica Kingsley Publishers wanted to commission my first memoir. In January 2020, I signed the contract for my book deal and my dream became a reality. I am soon to be a published author! In this blog, I want to talk about how I got here, how it happened, and what’s ahead as I finalize my manuscript ready for submission.
It has been a year now since my mum passed away. It’s hard to believe it has been that long because it feels like only yesterday. I don’t feel like I have processed the loss at all. I feel in many ways still very much in limbo with my mum’s passing. The intensity of the grief has decreased, but the weight of it remains the same. Now, it is all about managing grief.
As students, it is important to look after our mental health. Studying can be very stressful. Having to learn new topics. Keeping up with the workload. Handing assignments in on time and sitting exams. All these things can all take their toll on students’ mental health. Then, of course, there is managing the ups and downs of life around study deadlines. Not to mention if you have a health condition you are managing around your studies. But, with the right tools, study stress can be managed.
I am a huge advocate of taking time for self-reflection. Self-reflection, when done in a balanced way, is highly beneficial for our mental health. Moving into a new year is one of my favorite times to reflect. I enjoy looking back on all the experiences I have had, and all the things I have achieved. Let us travel back through 2019 together!
Recently, I had the honor of standing on that iconic red dot of the TEDx Stage, delivering a talk on mental health, for the Open University’s first-ever TEDx event (no pressure!). Having now had time to come back down to earth, I want to take some time to reflect on this amazing experience. In this blog, I will share the entire process, from first applying to be a TEDx speaker, through the rehearsal process, and a reflection on the delivery of the talk itself.
The festive season is that time of year when overindulging on alcohol seems to be completely justified. Christmas and the holiday season can, therefore, be difficult to cope with when you are in recovery, or even just trying to limit your intake. I have been sober since 2010, and although the holiday season isn’t as tough as it once was, I still must be vigilant and look after my recovery. In this blog, I will share my tips on how to stay sober during the holiday season and protect your recovery.
Self-care is not just for Christmas! Seriously, self-care is something we all need to do more of. Lives are busy and stressful, and taking time out to care for ourselves is vital. Self-care means different things to different people, but essentially, its spending quality time taking care of our mind and body. One of the nicest gifts you can give someone (and yourself!) is something that promotes self-care. In this blog, I share some of my favourite self-care gifts to give and to receive*. In here you will find something for every budget and for any gender.
Good recovery from surgery starts with good preparation. Preparing for your top surgery procedure well in advance will help to give you a great head start in your healing process. In this blog, I will share my tips on how to prepare for top surgery*.
In today’s blog, I want to share my top favourite self-development books with you. Whether you call them self-help, self-improvement or self-development books, these are always my favourite genre of books to read. I love these types of books because every time I read one, I learn something new about myself and the way I interact with the world, and I grow from the experience.
I am incredibly passionate about change and share about my own changes often. I have changed my entire life, in a relatively short space of time. From addiction to recovery, from living as female to transitioning to male, from being held back by poor mental health to learning to live my life around it. These profound changes have made me passionate about helping and inspiring others to make changes in their own lives. Often, when I talk with people about change, the common response is, ‘How did you change your life? I don’t know how to begin’. Therefore, in this blog, I want to answer that question. Whilst I would love to offer you a magic ingredient, it is not in my power! Instead, I can share the things that I have found helpful in my change journey. I hope you find them helpful too.
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