How are you reallY?

New moon 03 October 2024

Hello everyone, it’s so lovely to share a new moon with you for a change. 

As spring has finally arrived in Nelson, I have found myself in the garden a lot. 

The last month was all about pulling weeds, preparing garden beds, planting seeds and raising seedlings inside ready to be put outside once the frost has passed.

To me this process is very similar to improving our mental health. 

Pulling the weeds (unearthing unwanted thoughts, behaviour, limiting beliefs etc.), preparing the soil (setting a good foundation, understanding yourself) and then planting the flowers (healthy thoughts, behaviour etc.). 

With mental health awareness week just been (last week in NZ) I wanted to bring awareness to our mental wellbeing and share a few thoughts with you.

Mental health awareness week is hugely important to reduce the stigma around mental illnesses and mental health conditions. 

And in my opinion it is also a good time to normalize talking about our mental wellbeing in general.

So, how are you really?

Here are some of my thoughts on the topic:

• Contrary to what people used to believe and preach for a long time, I want to reiterate to you, that our mental health is just as important as our physical health. 

  (Check in: do you take your mental health as seriously as your physical health?)

• Oftentimes we know we are not in a great state of mind, but we tend to tell ourselves “it’s not that bad, you are fine, just get on with it”. 

  We even tell our friends “I am fine” (when really we are not fine at all).

  (Why are we lying to ourselves and others about our mental wellbeing?)

• Please don’t minimize your worries, fears, low mood, anxiety, stress levels- if it is real for you, talk about it! Either to a friend, a relative or a professional. 

• You don’t need to be diagnosed with a mental illness to be worthy of support! (please read that again)

• And lastly know this: we are all humans, all of us (no exceptions) have our own internal battles, weeds to pull and garden beds to tidy up; you are not alone! if life becomes overwhelming sometimes please reach out for help. 

When you grow a healthy garden (physically and in your mind), your friends and family will be inspired to do so themselves - it has a ripple effect - guaranteed!

Your mental being, when healthy, is as beautiful and strong as a healthy, strong body - invest in it!