Why?

I have for a long time wanted to find a way I could use my experiences in depression and anxiety to positively influence and encourage others. I get terrible anxiety when I think about public speaking, so I knew that I'd never be the type of person to go around giving motivational talks and the like. Combined with the fact that depression makes me quite uncreative at times, I just did nothing for a long time. I dreamed but I made no effort to turn my dream into action.

Then I finally realised that blogging is a great way to reach a large audience but without the panic-inducing pressure of standing in front of complete strangers and telling them about myself. Heck, even when I'm not talking about something directly related to myself I suck at public speaking! And I've always been good at writing, so I knew a blog was something that I could do, and do well.

But for a long time I held back because I was afraid of what having a public blog would mean. It would mean being open to pretty much the whole world. It would mean complete strangers, some perhaps in other countries, reading about my life and struggles. Worse, what would the people I know think? Family, friends, acquaintances... would they look at me the same way if I became completely open about having depression and anxiety issues? The fear of being shunned by people in my life was so great I was paralyzed, and again I did nothing for a long time.

Until recently, when I was thinking about how many of my beautiful, amazing friends are suffering with similar "thorns" in their lives. Friends who are a total joy to me, who I couldn't admire more, but who think they are worthless. Who think they are ugly and incapable of leading a normal life. Who think they'll never be successful, or happy. Who think they're not lovable and beautiful and kind. They cannot see all of the wonderful things that I see in them, and it made me both sad and angry. Not angry at my friends, but angry at the fact that we live in a world where there is still a stigma around these sorts of issues. It seems nobody wants to talk about mental and emotional health. WHY?

So I knew that I should start this blog, and stop caring how others would judge me for it. If anyone was going to judge me anyway, surely I would be better off not having that person in my life!

People make all sorts of negative judgments on those who are suffering with mental health issues. This blog seeks to encourage a positive and accepting view of people who struggle with these problems. This blog seeks to encourage self-love, a healthy world view, a positive perception of life as a whole. This blog seeks to correct harmful thinking that destroys people. And, this blog seeks to find ways of improving life with small but positive steps, by encouraging readers to be attentive and give love to other people as well as themselves.

If this is a journey you think you need to take, please do! I am on this journey also, so you will never be alone.

Please help me spread positive influence by sharing my blog with someone you know who you think could benefit from some encouragement. Thank you!