LET'S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH TODAY!!

We are in a society that isn’t keen on talking about mental health, it isn’t surprising that most of us are unsure on how to support someone who is struggling with their mental health.

But; vulnerability is hard. It’s risky. Exposing our vulnerability with people we trust can feel comforting and loving. It can feel good to lean on others.

I read a quote by Natural life which said; “If it costs you your mental health, then it is too expensive.”
Avoiding certain people and things to protect your mental and emotional health isn’t a weakness.

At times, it’s good to name that feeling. Pause-Reset-Notice what you feel.
Many of us feel more than one emotion at a time, so don’t hesitate to identify multiple emotions you might be feeling for the sake of your mental well-being.

Realistically, our daily choices and habits have an impact on how we feel. Most of our daily routine contributes to anxiety, a bad language to one’s mental health.
Anxiety occurs when the brain senses a potential threat that may or may not be immediately present. Sometimes, the trigger for anxiety can be uncertain, vague or not as easily identifiable as the immediate threat that triggers fear. It can feel overwhelming because you’re not sure exactly what’s causing it.

Someone once wrote; “Sometimes, you feel mentally exhausted not because you are tired or burned out but because you are getting over the pain.”
When tension becomes a habitual pattern in our body, we get curious about its protective nature and what it may be trying to prepare or complete.

When sadness and anxiety took control of my life sometime back, it led me into a darker space. What began as a journey inward was a pain and tension that became so loud within me and it began pouring out into my life as a destructive behaviour, my mental health was affected and I just couldn’t bring myself to the best perform in every part of my life.
The first instance of reclaiming my power was when I said no more to things and situations that kept weighing me down.

 

MENTAL HEALTH WELL-BEING NOTE

I Have met broken men before and
It's a catastrophe.

They all hide their brokenness somewhere for fear of being judged
cause the society always labels a man as the strong one

If a man reports abuse/violence/traumas they say; " he's too weak to be considered sane." 
"Too strong to be sympathized".

But most men have demons they’re fighting time over time
in search of light and freedom with their spirits crushed under trials of life.

 

BROKEN PIECES FROM OBWERA

 

Dearest Ndapita,

I am writing this note as part of my broken pieces
of which I have been struggling to make whole.

I clearly remember how you said it to my face that "I carry poverty on my skin like birthmarks.”
And that "men are only good at chapter one of every love story.”
Your words made me hate the mess my emotions brought.

My chest kept feeling heavy at the thought of every memory that had you in it.
Then, I didn't see the meaning of life - the reason to live.
Death was beckoning me every second. Should it be a rope? Staged accident? Or poison in my tea?
I have had countless thoughts towards death - suicide got to be my best last option.
But I survived all the attempts - another chance to live though with painful memories that still insist sharp objects in my head. 

I have sabotaged myself most of the time.
I am exhausted but I still want to draw breaths.

I now forgive myself for believing that people can possibly change for you - for giving up my dreams and ambitions just to impress you.

You left - my sanity left me too.
There was no meaning in everything around me - Mental breakdown.
I go on my knees each time and wonder; " If there's any other way to label pain & brokenness, for I wished to extract the aches from every part of me without leaving scars on my skin,
because I realized that I have battles to fight, wars to win.

So, I got up from the ground and affirmed myself how worthy I was.
I read somewhere that said; " You are worthy the moon, the stars and every glimmer of the world."

Lastly, I thought to let you know that I have charged up my esteem.
I am working on my ambitions and dreams.
I got tired of the feeling that was hovering over me - the suffocation.

Even when the society says; " A man should always toughen up."
I get to say; "A man should refuse to suffer in silence.
There's nothing wrong speaking up! Mental health should be a priority!"

Obwera.

 

Some Affirmations for you Today:

ü  Breathe in peace, exhale negativity.

ü  Set aside some time for yourself.

ü  Remember how capable you are.

ü  You have survived your worst days.

ü  It’s all going to be okay.