Find Your Voice During Lockdown.

On Monday night, when yet another lockdown was announced across the UK, I felt anxious. Yes, believe it or not, us counsellors and mental health practioners think, feel and act just the same as you. We are NOT superheroes; we are only human. I dreaded the word 'lockdown' as I recalled what it meant for me last year. Isolation and loneliness were on the horizon again and let's just say it didn't fill me with joy!

In March 2020, I found myself on an 'emotional rollercoaster'. One minute, I would be in floods of tears & in a full rage the next. I even became scared of going outside. The media had spun COVID-19 into a series of 'The Walking Dead', so I wasn't brave enough to go out to see the 'apocalyptic world' they were scaring us all with. Instead, I sat in the darkness of my home, fearing everything and everyone. I felt like I was losing control and the once safe neighbourhood I lived in, had suddenly become a very scary and eerie place🌍

In April 2020, after a month of sitting with my emotions and fears, I finally decided to open up to a friend on the phone. I told her how I was feeling and she immediately made me realise that I wasn't alone. She said that even though she had a husband, two children & dogs with her, she was also struggling with anxiety, depression and a sense of chaos. It was like we were worlds apart in terms of our lifecourse, but our emotions were completely in sync. We ended up having a good cry & it was very comforting to finally be honest on how we were both feeling. Our emotions were completely unique, however the trigger was the same. Good old Corona😢

So this lockdown, I encourage you to talk, talk, talk, Talk to someone. Anyone... friends, family, kids, neighbours, pets or the postman. Join an online community, volunteer your services to help others to talk, chat on social media.... Whatever you want to do, but just talk! Talking is powerful, releasing and therapeutic. Talking makes us feel part of something. It makes us feel valued, needed and included. One simple 'hello' to someone who is struggling with their mental health, could be the one word that prevents them from wanting to end their suffering .👍

So get talking but please remember that no one has the right to judge or comment on how you feel. No one has the right to try to 'fix' you or to get you to think more positively.

The role of the person you decide to talk to is to simply listen with empathy & your role is to be as open, honest and vulnerable as you want. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain from opening up and talking. I know that this isn't easy for many of us, however you will find things a little easier if you do, I promise. 🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎🤍

Please remember that you are not alone. When you are having dark moments, hours or days, allow someone to come in and shine a little light your way through the power of speech.❤️ #itsoknottobeok #lockdown #youwillbeok #neveralone #limecounselling #talkinghelps #vulnerability #listening #talkingispowerful #empathy #honesty #emotions #anxiety #control #fear #inclusion