Tag: Anxiety

New Beginnings

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the full staircase, just take the first step.

Martin Luther King Jr.

No matter who you are, where you come from or how ‘strong’ you actually are, starting something fresh is daunting. Scary. Possibly overwhelming. Entering the unknown and exploring new opportunities may be part and parcel of life for basically everybody, however that doesn’t mean the anxiety or uncertainty about what will be happen or whether you’ll succeed ceases to exist.

Having recently left university and moved back to my parents from a shared student house, you could certainly say that my life has gone full circle. An awful lot has changed. It’s very difficult to process and understand. Now while I have discussed my reasons for leaving uni previously on this blog, particularly why it was the best choice for me in that moment, I’d be lying if I said that making such a huge decision wasn’t terrifying. I was to-ing and fro-ing for ages. My mind was flooded with thoughts of ‘what if, am I acting soon, how will I cope, what will I do next?’. If university wasn’t for me at this point in life, I grew increasingly worried about the other options on the table. Dedicating time and extensive energy applying for countless jobs, across a variety of sectors, yet hearing no positive news was both deflating and disheartening. Naturally it’s easy to lose belief. You can think it’s your fault, rather than the case of a stacked, competitive job market. And when you are under pressure to support yourself financially, all while suffering mentally with no sense of routine, life has a funny (or not so funny) way of dragging you into a ‘pit of despair’. You feel like a burden. That you are merely existing and not providing anything worthwhile. You wonder where your next bit of good news is coming from. But the problem is that the longer you are forced to wait and bide your time, the more likely you are to give up and stop trying altogether. That being said, remaining proactive and persistent is key. The door has to be slowly bashed down. From my own experience- and probably many others as well- you will find the best slices of luck when you continue to focus on what you truly want. It’s undoubtedly cliche, so please don’t cringe when I say this, but I suppose you can ‘speak goals into existence.’

After weeks of failed job searching, applications and interviews, it was shortly before Christmas when I was given a firm job offer as a marketing and communications assistant at a non-profit organisation called Hullo (I’ll leave their link below.) I can’t tell you how excited for I am for the challenge and opportunity to progress my career.

Although my journey into the world of mental health campaigning and advocacy has been the greatest thing I’ve ever done, and allowed me to meet so many fascinating, inspiring people, I certainly never anticipated that it would give me so many transferrable life skills and the opportunity to work in a paid position this soon. This was the wider aim yes, however I feel both proud and extremely grateful that the tireless work I’ve carried out volunteering has counted for something more. Because without taking the courageous choice to step outside my comfort zone and share my story, I wouldn’t have been able to build the connections I’ve established and showcase the most valuable qualities that I possess. Simply speaking, I would never have received this brilliant employment opportunity should I have opted against doing things that made me nervous or slightly uncomfortable. That’s just how it works. It’s a very difficult truth- but you just have to put yourself in the line of fire sometimes. It won’t always work and you will face moments of disappointment, however that doesn’t necessarily mean you made the wrong call. It just means you have to look elsewhere. And find something you’re potentially better suited to anyway! The more accustomed we become to making tough calls and doing stuff that scares us, the greater our confidence and strength in the long run.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Neale Donald Walsch

Endings are often traumatic yet they don’t define you as a person. You’re not a failure or a quitter for exploring other options and trying to create a happier life for yourself. After all, if a friend or family member was seeming very unhappy and questioning whether they should start something new, what would you say? Would you ridicule, criticise or make them feel guilty? Or would you encourage them to seek out what they want and put themselves first? I think you know the answer…

https://www.hullo.org/

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam HowardLeave a comment

Discussing The Future (Raw And Honest)

Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves- regret for the past and fear of the future.

Fulton Oursler

First of all, I’d like to rewind. The year is 2020. September 2020 to be precise. Though you’d be correct in saying that is 13 months ago and very recent history indeed, for me it feels to me like an eternity ago. From that point to now, everything seems to have flown by in an instant. The world has changed, moved on, developed. And so have I.

The reason I have taken us back to September of 2020 is due to its significance. At this time I was embarking on the new and exciting, yet scary and unsettling, experience of moving away to University. After packing my belongings (of which there were many) and buying all the necessary essentials that are required for living in a shared flat, I was off to begin a fresh start in a new location 80 miles from the place I’ve lived my entire life. Fleetwood to Chester. And for those of you that don’t know, that’s quite the culture change I must say.

Despite the concerns around missing home comforts like my family, friends, dog and the beach (don’t forget that), I went into my 1st year very much recognising the endless positive possibilities. The friends I could make. The places I could visit. The societies I could join. The wild nights out to be had. The sheer elation and sense of gratification I would receive in completing a tough 3-year degree that would mean I could find my dream career.

But now, unfortunately for me, is the huge stumbling block. Although much of what I’d envisaged about the uni life was true- particularly in the countless brilliant people I’ve been lucky enough to meet- I’ve reached a point shortly into my 2nd year where enough is enough. Things have to change. I need to put my OWN needs first.

After much toing and froing and more changed decisions than you could ever possibly imagine, I have made the extremely tough decision to take time away from my degree. Sitting here thinking about it I do feel a sense of shame and disappointment that I’m stepping away, primarily as it feels like a massive defeat, however I have long reiterated that our mental health should be the greatest priority. No matter how much we (or others) maintain that it’s best to carry on or ‘stick at’ something for as long as possible, life has a funny way of reminding us about how we truly feel and what we really need. To an outsider, especially one that doesn’t know me, it may look as though I’m taking an easy road out. One that requires less work and dedication. Yet the reality is, if we think about it logically, I’m making a bold, courageous choice.

While in the short-term I’ll be relieving myself of academic workloads and stresses, opting to leave university (for however long) provides me with the chance to assess my options and the many alternatives. Work out what I really want. Find a job. Make new connections. It doesn’t mean I have to give up on university and a degree indefinitely. The desire for that will always remain, I can almost guarantee that. It just means I can explore various things that I wouldn’t have been able to had I chosen to remain at uni, all while attempting to improve my mental health to a level that will enable me to achieve the best of my ability should I return to complete the final 2 years of study. Whether you’ve done a degree, or you haven’t, it’s obvious in saying that it needs a great level of focus and commitment. You can’t do it half-heartedly. And plus, that’s not me anyway. The last, and I mean last, thing I want is to give 50% and not reach my full potential because outside influences have simply got in the way. Distracted me. When I have a goal in mind, I’m left disappointed if I cannot give it everything.

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

Although I never pictured pausing my degree at such a premature stage, part of me is trying to embrace the other possibilites that could await me in the future. When in the uni bubble, it’s difficult to look outward and realise what else is on offer because you’re so focussed on attending lectures, completing assignments, going to social nights, chatting to housemates and whatever else you can cram in. Yes I’d be lying if I said the prospect of moving or entering employment wasn’t scary, however I have one key element on my side. Something many others do not have. Occupation-wise, I know what I’m looking for. 100%. It’s just a small matter of finding it!

With the trials and tribulations that lay ahead, for my sake and yours, I think it’s important for us to remember this. Stopping something doesn’t make you weak, stupid or a loser. And it certainly doesn’t mean you won’t ever achieve your goals. It simply means you’re human. Confide in someone if you’re scared (I know I have).

No matter where you are or what you’ve been through, you can and will get to where you want eventually. It’ll take a shit loads of guts and plenty of determination, however leaving something behind doesn’t have to keep you down forever. And who knows- it might be the best decision you’ve ever made. You just don’t know it yet!

Thanks for reading,

Adam

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Diary Entry #3: Enough Is Enough

There is no change without sacrifice.

Gloria Allred

*DISCLAIMER* The following posts contains suicidal references, please do not read if you feel doing so will trigger or harm you!

These past few days have been horrible. Bordering upon horrific. As a result of crying constantly and shedding more tears than I thought was physically possible- not to mention feeling incredibly lonely from the strains of living alone and staring aimlessly at the same four walls almost continuously- I’ve reached a stage in life where I’m frankly tired of feeling depressed and anxious. Exhausted by the weight of the world on my shoulders and considering every possible way that I could single-handedly fuck up my own life. Just like that. At a moment’s notice. Even thoughts that lay dormant in my brain can erupt like a volcanic explosion from beneath the surface. Without warning and leaving a trail of mass destruction.

Though I’ve kept a metaphorical lid on my suicidal thoughts for a decent while, recently they’ve returned with vengeance. More often, more intense, more real. Dark clouds dampen every waking thought. I want to cry practically every five mins, shut out the world. Pretend I don’t exist for a while just to get a little rest bite. Despite attempting to switch off and distract myself doing things I enjoy, I cannot seem to rest. Most worryingly, sleeps seems to be my only escape.

What did I do to deserve this? Am I doing something seriously wrong here? How have I become such a shell of my happiest self? The person that laughs a lot, likes going out, trying new things, seeing friends, being active, helping others, and trying to make a genuine positive difference in the world. Where the fuck did that guy go and can I have him back pronto? How- in a world where there are roughly 8 billion humans- does my mind convince me that not a single one of those people remotely gives a shit how I feel? That they wouldn’t give a shit if I disappeared forever. Not strangers, neighbours, mates, or even my family? I honestly wouldn’t wish how I feel right now on my worst enemy. It’s that bad. All I want is a release; for it to be over.

While I must state that I’m fully aware that my actions are unhealthy and it’s my responsibility to carry out self-care and seek greater professional support, this is where we hit a major stumbling block. Mental health services in the UK (while I don’t know much about other nations), are simply inadequate. Not fit for purpose. Year after year they fail the people most in need of help. People are suffering from mental health issues and killing themselves at exponential rates, yet all that seems to happen time after time is false promises of better, more extensive and robust support services. Good in practice yes, however how much worse does this dire situation have to get for more people to be heard and treated sufficiently? To not be pushed aside and slapped on waiting lists for ridiculous periods of time. Is it a certain number of suicides? A point where services collapse before us? Or will we continue to live in a country where mental health is a mere afterthought to physical health? Where we live in a fantasy world and pretend the two exist on a strict level-playing field.

Although we should pray this won’t remain the same for long, I for one am not convinced. People can and do benefit from professional support, undoubtedly, but the numbers are becoming fewer. The simple facts are that people facing serious mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia etc are left to suffer so long internally that it’s a much tougher task to help them since their difficulties have been allowed to manifest too much. And this means more people than ever are leaving unhappy and disappointed with the support they’ve received, despite taking an admirable and courageous step to admit they’re struggling.

Particularly with the position I find myself in now- depressed, anxious, scared, frustrated amongst other words- one can’t but think that I’ve been let down. Many others have been let down. Without any genuine positive changes, this crisis is only set to grow and more people like me will slip through the proverbial net. Now ask yourself this: what justice is that?

Thanks for reading,

Adam

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When Will This Get Better??

Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

Charles R. Swindoll

Picture the scene. Your mind is racing, palms sweaty, heart beating ferociously out of your chest. No matter what you do or try in an attempt to stem the tide of thoughts pulsating around your head, you cannot for the life of you grind them to a steady halt. Whether you pick up a book, zoom call a friend, try a bit of meditation or head outside for a walk to distract yourself, seconds still feel like minutes. Minutes feel like hours. Every task seems like a mountain to conquer. Why me, you ask? What did I ever do to deserve this? When will it ever end? How can I make it stop? Will my life always be a never-ending cycle of complete and utter misery and despair? Why does nobody understand how I feel, why does nobody get me? Now as melodramatic as that could appear, this is often just a very small snippet of what living with a mental illness can be like! And I mean it when I say very small…

However many times you try convincing yourself that ‘you’re being silly’ or the mind is simply ‘playing tricks on you’, it’s amazing just how much our brains can bring us back down to earth. Rob us of positivity. Strip back our bare bones so we feel more isolated, depressed and worthless than ever before. Make us genuinely believe that we’re somehow ‘unfixable’ or unworthy of support just because we think certain things and act different ways to the ‘ordinary, normal’ person. Whatever normal means nowadays. When in reality, the hurtful, degrading words we often repeat to ourselves and maintain in our belief systems are usually a million, trillion miles away from the truth. Rationality is flung out the window. The problem for us, however, is that a mental illness thrives in keeping us down. Drowning us. In making us feel powerless, worthless, depleted. It’s exactly where it wants us to be. However easy it feels to lie in bed and stew on our negative thoughts- and I know the feeling well- it’ll never give us much benefit. Certainly not in the long-term anyway. The antidote to this cycle is doing stuff we don’t want to or feel necessarily capable of doing in that moment. Though it may be unbelievably hard to spring ourselves out of bed to write that essay, speak to a friend we haven’t really contacted in ages, or even jump in a shower to wash, keeping the mind busy is often the best solution we can arrive at. After all, if we provide our minds something to focus on among the chaos (even for a short while), sometimes we can the limit the intensity of our thoughts and feel a whole lot better.

Amidst a world where we hear the constant rhetoric of coronavirus, social distancing, quarantine and many other now too familiar terms, it can be incredibly simple to lose hope, feel like all the days blur into one and that this whole fiasco is pretty much never going to end. That life will never return to how we like or as it was once was. Though it must be stated that the UK and other nations around the world have yo-yoed in and out of lockdowns and implemented more rules than you’d care to shake a stick at for basically a year now, it’s important that we do not forget that many countries have battled this crisis extremely resolutely and come out the other side. Human kindness and spirit has been magnified. People have come together and realised what’s important in their lives through this dire adversity.

Yes the circumstances haven’t been ideal, yes countless people have undoubtedly suffered mentally, and yes far too many people have lost their lives due to this virus, however the other side of the story is that people have learn plenty about themselves. For example, how to live more independently, interacting with others in new and inventive ways, as well as what really matters in life. Without the pandemic testing us to our limits (and it certainly has me), could it be the case that we’d be STILL letting our lives pass us by without any real gratitude or appreciation for what we are able to do every day? Now, and only now, do many people recognise how much they enjoy going out to restaurants, meeting up with their friends travelling abroad to go on holidays etc. And that’s because we are no longer allowed to do these things. Shit situations put things into perspective- even if they are painful!

What we see depends mainly on what we look for.

John Lubbock

For anybody out there struggling or having a particularly difficult time, I want you to know that you can do this. This process has been long and draining and frustrating, but the end is nearing ever closer. As we approach a time where places begin to reopen and life returns to some form of normality, just remember how much you’ve battled on and how good that feeling will be when you are able to do things you once took for granted!

Thanks for reading,

Adam

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Being Grateful

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Melody Beattie

How many times a day do you reflect on the past or worry about the future? Consider the aspects of your life that are lacking? Compare your life to other people’s seemingly ‘perfect’ lives and believe your own is completely inadequate and well below your expectations? If your answers to these questions are high, the chances are that you’re not grateful enough for the things you do have.

So I myself have had a very tough experiencing balancing my adoration for the things I do have in my life, at any stage, for example friends, family, a good home, and the things in life that I could consider I’m ‘lacking’ in. We as humans are creatures of habit, therefore when we’re engaged in a cycle of hopelessness, emptiness, frustration and overall negative thinking, those emotions are naturally extremely hard to shift/remove. In much the same that negative habits take time to build, positive habits are very similar. For us to create such habits as becoming more grateful, an immense of energy, drive and discipline is required. As much as advertisers and marketing agencies like to exploit consumers and promote that ‘you can get the perfect body in 14 days’ or ‘make yourself happier in 5 quick steps’, the stark reality is that anything worth having requires an incredible amount of hard work and desire. As daunting as that may seem.

I’d be completely dishonest if I said I’ve transformed from a pessimist to a optimist in a matter of years, however what I can say is that the time and effort I’ve set aside to focus on my mental health has aided my wellbeing and allowed me to progress more than I ever envisaged (despite numerous setbacks).

The number of painful experiences I’ve endured were definitely difficult to handle, however on the flipside they’ve made the person I am today (cliche I know). If I hadn’t suffered adversity, or never faced mental health problems, I believe that many good things I now have in my life wouldn’t exist. And who knows what situation I’d find myself in now if I hadn’t gone through certain challenges?

From making tough decisions, for example leaving college or cutting off friends who weren’t good for me, it opened my life up to an endless number of opportunities and great people I wouldn’t have explored/encountered if I didn’t have the courage and authority to make a change and put myself first. It’s so easy for us in life to settle and remain where we are, usually as a ‘safety net’, yet what I’ve learnt is sometimes we have to make difficult decisions for the good of our health. Even if they do make us scared. And uncomfortable. And doubtful.

While I’m by no means advocating people causing themselves unnecessary pain and stress for the sake of making a hard or perhaps controversial decision, it’s important to remember that what we think and what we need are not always the same thing. The problem is that our head and heart are regularly in a battle between each other, so it’s about balancing the two and recognising our limits. Take calculated risks, but try not to bulldoze ahead. If something isn’t working, maybe all you require is a slightly different approach! A 5% alteration could prove monumental.

As the old adage states: If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got. Sometimes we have to be bold, think outside of the box and do something different to what we usually opt for.

Confronted by a mindset of constant anxiety, stress and defeatism, it can be easy to spend so much of our time zoning in on our biggest failures or the areas of our lives that are lacking, that we almost become unaware of all the wonderful things we have staring us straight in the face that bring huge joy. Yes you may not have an amazing car, your own fairytale marriage, your dream job or a bottomless pit of money, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have plenty of good things that you can cherish. It’s merely a matter of perspective. How we think heavily influences how we act.

If you were to picture the happiest people in the world, would I be speaking out of turn if I said that they’re not always the ones with seemingly perfect lives? We are drawn in by this idea that particular things, items or possessions directly equate to happiness, but the truth is that’s often misconceived. The happiest people aren’t usually the ones with a never-ending supply of money, massive mansions or lavish lifestyles- they are the ones who can be grateful for what they do have. However insignificant what they have seems to be, according to someone like you or me looking in from the outside.

When we get can to a place where we appreciate the good more than being consumed by the bad, surely that’s when we’ll be winning and life will feel more enjoyable. Here’s hoping we get to this point sooner rather than later- if you haven’t already that is!

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam Howard2 Comments

My Review Of The 2010’s: The Highs And Lows

A century is about events. A decade is about people.

George Friedman

Hi everybody, it’s been a long while but I’m back for my first blog of the year. (Apologies for the delay). 2020 has finally arrived. Doesn’t time, and life in general fly by?

So as we enter a new decade, the 2nd of the 21st century, I wanted to look back and reflect on the 10 years that have preceded us. In particular just how much life has changed. For good and for bad.

If I rewind to 2010, when I was the tender age of 10, I was in my penultimate year of primary school and life seemed to be pretty great. Like any kid I had my difficult times where I fell out with friends or rebelled against the very concept of school, however up until I left a year later in 2011, education was overall a rewarding experience. Being a part of sports teams, learning new things, messing around with my mates, going on school trips and all the other things kids often do at that age were usually fun. Instances of worry/concern were few and far between. It’s incredible to think just how much circumstances can change in a matter of years, months and even days. We can never be sure what life holds for us!

Moving forward to the September of 2011, where my journey (excuse the cliche) at high school began, what I will say is the transition of going from a small primary to a relatively big high school was extremely challenging. And that’s putting it lightly!

While my primary school was located within close proximity to my house, I grew to know most of the people, I liked many of the teachers and the expectations were obviously much lower, high school altered my life in so many ways. Although I appreciate I came to the decision of choosing to attend a certain school, it was certainly a shock to the system having to get up at 6:30am, having to travel for 40 minutes on the bus to and from and school, not to mention becoming accustomed to a completely alien environment with new classmates, new teachers, different rules and different surroundings.

As I got older, progressing from Year 7 to my departure from Year 11 in May 2016, whereby naturally the expectations of coursework, exams, deadlines and fitting in with your peers loom large, I’m not afraid to say that I found it all very hard to deal with. Despite at the time not recognising it was a real issue that needed genuine support, my high school experience was blighted by constant anxiety, perfectionism, low self-confidence, lapses of concentration and towards its conclusion, extreme withdrawal from friends. Even at lunch time, when you would see everybody hanging around with their mates, joking around doing whatever, I would occupy most of my breaks in the library or IT suites to isolate myself. As a defence mechanism. To protect myself from possible embarrassment or ridicule. I’d be lying if I said I had no enjoyable periods through secondary school, for example certain lessons or teachers, but I’d like it to have been significantly better. Without question!

Progressing onto sixth form in the September of 2016, opting to study Finance, Economics and Statistics (big mistakes I stress), it wasn’t long before my long-standing issues came erupting to the surface and to people’s attention. And most importantly my Mum’s. If you’ve followed many of my previous posts, you’ll probably know that my college experience didn’t last too long at all, predominantly because my mental health hit rock bottom.

Although in the moment it seemed like the most destructive and stupid decision I’d ever made, reflecting now has proved to me just how true the old adage ‘everything happens for a reason’ is. Not until I left the ‘pit of despair’ at the back end of that year did I distinguish the difference between what I wanted and what I NEEDED. While every fibre of my being was desperate to stay in college, work through my issues and achieve the results I required to move onto university, it’s clear that the timing was not right. Through leaving education behind me for a few years and prioritising my health, it not only allowed me to become more aware of who I am as a person, but also rediscover a sense of passion and belonging that had disappeared for such a long time. Much of what I have to thank for that is campaigning, in particular the countless number of incredible people I’ve met and friendships I’ve established along the way!

It may not have been until early 2018 that I discovered the sheer enjoyment that comes from campaigning, but realistically my previous negative experiences were what allowed me to stumble across something where I could transform the lowest of lows into the highest of highs. Like anybody, especially those with a mental illness, the challenges I face on a daily basis are incredibly difficult to handle, nevertheless I’m now in a much better place to tackle them head on. Volunteering has enabled to help others on a scale I never thought possible- and has supported my own personal development too. Who’d have thought just a few years earlier that’d I feel comfortable sharing my story to a group of strangers?!

As I sit here now looking to the next decade ahead, my mind is occupied by excitement and apprehension in equal measure. While life for me personally has altered unfathomably over the last 10 years, it also should be noted just how much YOUR life (probably) and the world around us has changed too. Whether that change was largely good or bad, it’s important that we realise that the fight within us is definitely much stronger than we think. Self-doubt is a demon and I for one, will be working hard to beat it. However long it takes. It’s mind-boggling that I could be starting university in the latter part of 2020!

P.S. Here’s to the 2020’s being the best and most fruitful decade of our lives!

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam Howard3 Comments

Mental Health Awareness Week 2019

It doesn’t have to take over your life, it doesn’t have to define you as a person, it’s just important you ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness.

Demi Lovato

On the second Monday in May every year, this time from the 13th-19th May, mental health awareness week (MHAW) in the UK begins. While there are still vast improvements to be made in reducing stigma and achieving a level playing field to physical health, it’s fantastic to see MHAW, World Suicide Prevention Day, World Mental Health Day and many others as firm fixtures on the calendar around the world. More people than ever before are talking about mental health. If nothing else, we’re making significant steps in the right direction!

Since its inception back in 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has selected an annual theme and contributed to extensive UK-wide research, evidence and debate on that chosen theme. Following on from the topic of stress in 2018, the theme for 2019 is Body Image. In particular, the way we view ourselves and how those judgments make us feel.

According to a poll by the MHF, a startling 1 in 8 people aged 18 and above have been so distressed about their body image that they’ve considered killing themselves. Figures now are well into the millions. The obvious question is, why?

With the rise of social media platforms, hugely edited, airbrushed photos, advertisements in cosmetics, fashion and beauty, cosmetic surgery procedures and the current wave of celebrity culture, people nowadays are made to think and reflect on appearance more than ever before. Industries are immersed with perfectionism. The quantity and frequency of which we see images of the ‘perfect body’ are increasing exponentially. Diversity around the range of bodies people see is simply not where it should be. Far too much emphasis is placed on external appearance and what we ‘should’ look like, rather than what’s on the inside. Is it any wonder so many people feel inadequate and insecure about their looks when you consider all these factors?

According to another detailed study by YouGov in March of this year, it was found that 1 in 3 British adults have felt either anxious or depressed due to concerns over body image and 1 in 10 women have self-harmed because of the same issue.

Furthermore, graphic content, including the mention of suicide and self-harm, is also being shared at alarming rates without any genuine checks or warning. Wherever people turn, they continue to be inundated and it’s very hard to escape. And it’s pretty scary to think that at the click of a button almost anything can be posted, no matter how damaging or triggering it could be. The consequences can be devastating, yet they’re often buried under the carpet.

As negative body image can affect anybody, of any background, at any stage in life, it’s incredibly important that the government, media outlets, influential companies, organisations and the general public begin to take this pressing issue more seriously and act. Smartly and efficiently.

From my own experience of struggling with body image in the past- very much hating how I look and my confidence extremely low- I would argue that it’s time that the content we view through social media and other outlets should be stringently vetted. Content that aggravates body image concerns should be deleted before it even sees the light of day. That way it can do no harm.  The only way of managing the situation is by stopping it at source; prevention rather than cure. How we respond to this crisis of negative body image will determine its long-term impact, positive or negative.

Let’s remember that every single person, whatever their appearance, should be able to embrace how they look. Not feel like they should be different or have to change to please others. Being unique is what makes us the people we are!

Thanks for reading,

Adam

Adam Howard1 Comment
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