A Discussion about Mental Health

On this episode I speak candidly about my experience with mental health, particularly depression and anxiety from two separate occasions in my life.  I share perspectives on dealing with mental illness, and although I was dealing with extreme personal trauma, I believe my depression was linked to my people-pleasing tendencies, which created an internal turmoil that drove me further into a state of mental instability. I contrast this with my postnatal anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, which was a result of unresolved trauma, rather than personality traits. This episode delves into the connection between the ability to accept oneself and one's mental state – how comfort in one's skin can impact mental wellbeing. Driven by a belief that mental illness, in some cases, can be a result of not being able to make choices that are right for oneself, I discuss the need to change this narrative and instead of striving to make choices based on what makes us feel whole and comfortable in our own skin. I address the potential chaos of conforming to external expectations while sacrificing your personal needs — suggesting it's a harmful path which can lead to mental instability. In the face of these pressures, my message is to reclaim autonomy and to prioritise one's own needs in the journey of self-love and acceptance.