I believe in kindness, I believe that it can be the smallest of things that make a difference and that a small act of kindness can make such a difference to someone's day.
For example, last week I was having a really bad day. My partner had lost his job, I am in the middle of appealing a PIP award and so I was extremely stressed about our financial situation and my mental health was in turmoil. I had to pay to go to my chiropractor as I get migraines terribly if I don't but it was going to cost pretty much the last of the money I had. I was talking to my chiropractor about how things weren't great and when I went to reception to pay she whispered that he had told her just to charge me £10 for todays appointment. I promptly burst in to tears. Partly because it had been brewing anyway but mostly because I SO needed someone to be kind to me that day and I was overwhelmed with that act of kindness, it meant the world to me at that moment. To him it was probably nothing. To me it was everything. Kindness really doesn't have to cost anything. It's asking someone if they are ok if they seem like they aren't. It's offering some support, offering a hug. Simple things like giving a card - even a handmade one, asking someone if they want a film night and some company.....There are endless things that you can do to support someone very simply with just a little thought and a little time. It can be so easy to get caught up in our own worlds, jobs, commitments and contending with the day to day that we can easily become a little blinkered to what else is going on around us. That is life and just the way things are, but if we step outside of that for just a moment something very simple could really make the world of difference to someone else and I believe this is so important in life. You don't have to run a marathon or climb a mountain to support a cause, just the simple things to those around you is just as important as making a bigger statement. This is why I started sending "Happy Post" to those struggling with mental illness. I have an etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/katiescabinhandmade if anyone would like to be nosey ;) and I make and sell a lot of prints. I used to love letter writing and receiving letters before the huge boom of social media and sometimes having something more physical helps so I decided to put my creativity to good use and make motivational quote prints and put them together with a little note and send to people currently having a hard time. The aim is just to make people feel less alone. Mental illness is very isolating and it can feel like no one understands. I hope that a little note from someone outside of an immediate support network who has also battled mental illness and does understand just may make a small difference to someone's day. You can nominate someone for "Happy Post" and read my blog on mental health issues at http://www.mentalhealthjourney.co.uk/ I love the quote "Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart" and I really believe it, so just keep in mind that you can do something small and still make such a big difference. You can follow Katie on the following social media: www.twitter.com/katiehoughton85 www.instagram.com/Mentalhealthjourneyofhope
1 Comment
Carole Baker aka Nanny Pink
13/6/2018 10:17:34 pm
Really really enjoyed your post, I too suffer from bipolar but am very passionate about spreading the word of positive mental health through theatre, kids projects and community support groups. Life is hard at time but kindness is free and the more you give the more you receive I believe. You sound like a wonderful woman and I love your idea of happy post and might talk to the young ppl I work with about a project like this we could work on.
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Blogger BioI have battled and beaten anorexia, and have bipolar disorder. I am extremely passionate about raising awareness on mental health issues. I have an etsy shop, a blog where I talk about mental health and I also send happy post to those struggling with mental illness. Mummy to a 5 year old diva, a small neurotic dog and currently trying to find my place in the world. |