Its all about perspective and Mental Health! (Key- A Blossom Environment transports you to a place you feel free in your mind). Disclaimer- Please be respectful that these are my personal issues, they may not effect you but, you can relate to them. The point of this post is open up discussions based on anything that effects your M.H. – These photographs are the property of @thefrecklewithinme, please do not use them without permission.
Bradgate Park
Mental Health (M.H) should not define you or discriminate. It is a journey you are taking in life and it can change at any moment. I felt embarrassed to talk about it because I did not want to be judged by those around me and by those that knew me. However, I have seen at first hand what talking about M.H can do for others.
Growing up I felt I saw situations and life slightly different because I had responsibilities, I was quiet, shy and lacked confidence and I guessed I wanted to be liked by everybody. I didn’t think people got my sense of humor or who I was. Surprisingly, I now do not feel embarrassed, I guess I have a different perspective. Nowadays, these topics currently effect my M.H:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Finances
- Social Acceptance
- Conceiving
The reason these issues bother me the most are because they have all defined who I am in one way or another.
IBS effects a lot of people, it also has many misconceptions and everybody’s symptoms are different. It effects me everyday because I have intolerance’s to food. This means it effects my mood, energy, levels, how regular I go toilet, pain, bloating (Self Image) and day to day activities. This is not to say I get all symptoms at the same time but, I do suffer with one or two daily and that in turns effects my physical and emotional M.H. I have to think about what I am eating and drinking and what will have less impact on my body. Eating out sometimes makes me feel like a burden and that others will judge you for it.
I get asked ” You can change your bodies responses”, “Trick it”, “make it tolerant”, “get medication”, whilst all of these may be true, other parts of my body suffer and do you not think I have tried ?!
Blossom
Now, if you live in Leicestershire (UK) then you know most of the country parks around the area:
Bradgate Park, Beacon Hill, Swithland Woods, Outwoods, Rushcliffe Country Park, Trent Lock and they are all easy to get too. So, for me, getting to one of these places transports me and my body into an environment where my M.H automatically changes without me physically doing anything. Being surrounded by nature and countryside makes me think in different ways. I feel I can forget about my problems until I am ready to face them, by me leaving the house I have already broken a barrier.
Ashby Castle
Now, none of these places might help you, but think of a place you felt safe, free from negative thoughts, calm and not judged. That’s your Blossom Environment. No way am I saying this solves all your worries or you have to relocate. It is all about being able to feel free in your mind, body and energy. Take pictures, make notes, record your voice and it can help shift your thoughts whilst in that ‘Blossom Environment’.
I can choose when I process my problems in these environments but you have to make sure you are calm and relaxed when you do so. Try it! Here are my favourite places, plus pictures from when I went Trent Lock today.
Trent Lock Fields
Trent Lock Canal
Beaumonor Hall
If you have other suggestions, ideas, or just want to talk about M.H then drop us a message!
the freckle within me 