2. I’m depressed.

I wasn't sleeping, I couldn't concentrate, my mood was all over the place and my Fibro Pain was flaring up regularly.

I referred myself to Talking therapies via the NHS, I knew I needed help but was still putting on a brave face. I always put other people first and forget to look after myself, but id hit a point where I couldn’t carry on.

I had a lovely therapist ring me, Sarah Jane. Talking through my issues It was so strange that she just knew, even before I did, that I just needed to stop and have a cry. I had 16 weeks talking to Sarah Jane and it turned my life around.

I’d always been the strong one, looking after my sister, mum, partner and everyone else I love around me. I didn’t want to be seen as weak or a burden so I didn’t share how I was feeling. The therapy helped me realise that having mental health illness isn’t something you need to be ashamed of and asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness.

I grew a lot closer to my Mum and Sister during this time, we were all opening up to each other and it was very refreshing.

My furlough time was used VERY productively. Of course, I bought a hot tub and spent a lot of time chilling in the sun watching films on my iPad, but that’s called self-love! But I also completed a Mental Health First Aider course online, this helped me understand my condition and able to help others.

I also learnt to Crochet, which for me has also been therapy. It helps clear my mind and at the end of it I’ve made something!

Therapy carried on until the end of September.