A Mental Health Journey.com

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A Mental Health Journey.com

Sharing a story known by so many. Follow to gain access to blog, podcast, self-help and mindfulness.

A Mental Health Journey.com was set up to share mental health experiences in a way that can help others in their acceptance, recovery and coping process.

16/04/2023

Bye for now 👋

I used to have a fairly unhealthy relationship with social media.

I was obsessed with how many likes I got, who liked it, wondering why certain people didn’t like, thinking that meant they didn’t like me.

When I started to have panic attacks and first deal with bouts of depression, I decided to delete the Instagram account I had since I was 16.

It helped me a lot to be away from that world and spend more time working out what I liked about myself and what was important to me to feel my best.

I set this page up after a year of being off Instagram, and decided I wouldn’t follow anyone or turn on notifications, so that it could just be a place for me to share reflections from my CBT journalling, while hopefully still keeping me away from any obsession.

I’ve loved doing this page and it’s really helped me through the years, and hopefully has helped other people too.

Right now though, I feel like I do not have a huge amount to share, I’m thankfully in a much better place than I was when I set this up (not without issues but who isn’t), and I never wanted to be someone who shared for the sake of sharing, or be too preachy.

I just wanted to share my experiences in a way that would be healing tor me and could be relatable for others.

I think I’ve done that and I want to thank everyone who has supported and followed me on here.

In general though, I don’t really like social media and the pressure it puts on all of us. Although I don’t go on here much, I don’t like that I click in to see if I have any messages or followers, or that when something happens to me, I think “should I post about that”.

That’s why, for the time being, I’m going to delete my Instagram app, and stop posting on here.

I’ll leave the page active in case there’s anything helpful to read back on and I’ll still be recording my Mindful Minute Podcast because I really love that and feel it’s the best way I can help support anyone with the same or similar challenges to what I have experienced.

If you ever want to get in touch, just drop me a text or an email at [email protected].

Otherwise, thanks a million & bye for now 👋 ❤️

17/03/2023

The last two years I was working in the early stage startup space.

I thought it was what I wanted to do. I wanted to see if I could build something that meant something to me. Be there from the start and shape something really special.

I tried my best and I learned a huge amount that will help me in my career and in general life.

One of the main things that I learned is that I don’t think that life is for me.

Startup life meant no days off, no annual leave, no weekends, always on the job.

That’s something I signed up for but it wasn’t something that my partner signed up for.

I wasn’t able to take time off, I couldn’t afford to go on big holidays, I struggled to switch off from the job when I was technically ‘off’.

I sacrificed a lot of things that I know I need.

Those things are balance, time to do my own projects (writing and recording meditations, doing this page, hosting workshops), and being present to enjoy being outside of work with the people I care about.

I now have annual leave, I have set working hours, and I’m off to Edinburgh for the weekend for a little break with Laura (one of many to make up for the lack of in the last couple years).

Here’s to balance and learning from giving things a go.

Happy St Patrick’s Day ☘️

12/02/2023

5 Minute Mental Health Self Audit Exercise:

This is an exercise that I do every couple of weeks to check in on what stresses are in my world, and what I am doing to cope with them and look after myself.

I often found myself dropping off of good habits and taking on stresses without consciously being aware of those things. This exercise helps me to bring these things into consciousness and decide on actions to better look after myself.

To try it just:

1. Draw two circles, one called stresses/worries, the other called coping tools.

2. Take 1 minute to fill out the stress circle with all the stresses in your life at the moment - big, small, or anything in between.

3. Take one minute to fill in the coping tools circle with all the things that you do to look after yourself and feel better. It could be anything from exercise, to reading, to calling particular family or friends.

4. Read back through and circle stresses/worries that you might be able to do something about (e.g. ask for an extension at work, ask for help, drop an non-critical activity), and circle coping tools you could do/look to more often (e.g. I should call that friend more, do more journalling, running, reading).

5. Write out what those actions are in full sentences. This is now the game plan that you have come up with to balance these two circles more in your favour.

I hope you find it helpful. Let me know in the comments if you try it 😊

🎥 -

06/01/2023

I was proud to be featured in this week’s to share the approach that has helped me to best manage my mental health and recover from periods of depression and panic.

In my experience, there is unfortunately not one quick fix for anxiety or depression. For me it has taken a combined approach of therapy, CBT journalling, meditation, medication, healthier routines, and leaning on my support network. All of these things take time to make their impact but they do help.

Hopefully you or someone you know might find the article helpful. You can read it here - https://lnkd.in/ed2ewDmd - Would love to know what you think!

Thank you for including me in your great piece!

10/11/2022

Layoffs and Rescinded Offers..

In August, I was on the end of a rescinded job offer from a company one week before I was due to start. I had three days left to work on my notice period in my then current role and had already handed over all of my responsibilities.

The company was a tech company that had made the decision to layoff staff and rescind all job offers.

The the situation left me in a place where I had no job for the first time since graduating from college.

I've always been career driven and, in that moment, and for the weeks after, a big part of me felt lost.

It was incredibly draining. I cried a lot, I felt very down, and my anxiety shot up to levels I hadn't felt in years.

The things that helped me in that period afterwards were:

1. The support of my network - I messaged and spoke with as many people as I could. I took every introduction that was offered to me, and I found that one intro would lead to others, and to others, and might eventually lead to the right opportunity.

2. The support of my family and my partner - they listened to my anxieties, stopped me from catastrophising, took my mind off things, and helped me to reduce the shame I was feeling.

3. Therapy - there are some things that are difficult to even share with loved ones, maybe because you are protecting them, maybe because you feel ashamed, and therapy was a place for me to air these thoughts out with no filters.

4. Exercise - being able to focus on my marathon training helped me to keep my head (relatively) clear and feel that bit more self-worth.

5. Journalling - CBT journalling helped me to reposition my mind and to recognise that this wasn't my fault, that it didn't define who I was as a person, and that I would eventually be ok.

To everyone who has seen endless posts about layoffs, it is normal for this to bring up anxiety, & it is helpful to talk to others about it, rather than keep it to yourself.

To everyone who has experiences being made redundant or having offers rescinded, I am very sorry. It is an awful feeling but it is not your fault. If you ever want to chat or if I can offer you introductions to anyone just let me know.

Look after yourselves!

06/10/2022

“The great art of life is sensation, to feel that we exist, even in pain.”

For quite a while I’ve been feeling numb.

Paralysed by the anxiety and uncertainty of being out of work.

Even before that, I was highly strung for a long time and wasn’t really feeling the highs and lows that come with living.

I was flat. Coping with and normalising living with high levels of stress every day. Saturating at a level that I never should have reached.

On Sunday, I felt alive for the first time in weeks.

Whether it was the crowds, having my family there, chatting to other runners, pushing to my limits, or the excruciating pain of the last 5k (as illustrated by my face) - I felt every moment.

Even with the pain, I wasn’t letting anything stop me from getting to the finish line.

I saw that line as the end of the last few weeks and months of pain.

3hr 30 mins of pain to put an end to weeks of it.

There’ll be more pain. More ups and downs but I feel like I’m in a better place to feel each one of them.

Luckily, the colour has returned to my face since then, I can walk without a limp (ish), and my new job has started well.

Good to feel alive 🕺

03/10/2022

I did it!! Yesterday I ran my first ever marathon in 3:29:30.

The last couple of months have been tough. That is why this feels that bit more special.

In August, I was supposed to begin a new job that I was really excited for, but unfortunately the company I was due to join was a tech company that was effected by layoffs (like many others recently) and a week before I was due to start, I was told that my role would no longer be part of the companies plans.

That really rocked my world.

I had made the career decision to find a better work-life balance but suddenly I found myself out of work, having handed in my notice at my previous company, and a bit lost with what to do.

That meant the last 6 weeks were filled with uncertainty, stress, and challenges that I hadn’t experienced before in my life.

Training for this marathon gave me an outlet during that time. It helped me to think about something other than job applications, interviews, and existential questions.

Yesterday was emotional because it felt like it was the end of a tough time and the start of a new exciting chapter.

Today, I started a new job that I’m really excited for and although I can barely walk, mentally, I’m feeling the best I have in a long time.

Thank you to all the amazing people who have supported me in my training, in my job search, and all the emotions that went with that. You’re all legends - especially my pal ❤️

With all of this, it was only apt that I ran the marathon in aid of to support their brilliant mental health work. I’m only £185 away from hitting my fundraising target, so if you could support in any way by donating through the link in below, I’d really appreciate it.

Donation link - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/conorstone

These last few weeks were really tough but I feel like a corner has been turned.

Onwards and upwards 🕺

11/09/2022

3 weeks to go until the 🏃‍♂️

When I got injured in 2017, I didn’t think I’d be able to properly run again. 5 years later and I’m feeling healthy 3 weeks out from my first marathon.

It’s been an up and down training cycle with injury setbacks, personal challenges, and many sunburnt ears and noses, but I’m so grateful to be back running and to be able to to it in aid of a great cause.

I’m running the marathon in aid of and am £500 away from my fundraising target. If you could help with any donation, big or small, I’d be hugely grateful. The donation link is here - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/conorstone

Now for 3 more weeks of pasta, foam rollers, and blisters.

Roll on October 2nd 🙏

17/08/2022

A few days ago I got some tough personal news.

I’ll talk about the specifics another time when I have had more space to reflect.

What I will share is what I have done to try and process it all.

1. I talked to my friends, my partner, and my family to share the load, get their advice, and feel the comfort of their support.

2. I took some time off to go home to Ireland to be around my family, relax, and reflect.

3. I’ve gotten back doing journalling and yoga for the first time in a while to help centre myself and get some clarity on things.

4. I’ve tried to focus in on my marathon training and enjoy the feeling of moving outside and being alone with my thoughts and with nature. Also good for burning any frustration!

When I got the news it felt like it was the end of the world. Now it feels like it will just be another blip in the road. Not sure how long a blip it will be but that’s what it is.

Another chance to learn, grow, and to become more resilient.

There’ll always be blips, bad news, and tough times to deal with.

They’re not nice but I feel like each one I deal with makes me feel more confident in myself, my tools, and my support network.

Thanks to all the crew who are in those categories.

To anyone who’s had a blip recently. I’m sending good vibes your way. Lots of us are in the same place.

That thought is what gives me motivation to keep training to run the London Marathon for and support people in tough places. If you could support with a few quid, I’d really appreciate it. Here is the donation link - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/conorstone

Keep the heads up and have lovely evenings!

29/07/2022

Hi Pals!

On October 2nd, I am running the London Marathon in aid of because mental health is something I care about deeply. I got the support I needed to improve my mental health and I'd like to help others to get the support that they need to do the same.

I started having panic attacks and experiencing bouts of depression in the summer of 2017. At that time, sport was everything to me. Unfortunately, a bad injury in May of that year meant that I had to stop playing sport and could not run for over three years. That hit me hard. Not only did I lose sport but I lost the balance that sport gave to my life.

Therapy, CBT, mindfulness, yoga, and the support of my amazing friends, family, and colleagues have helped me over the last five years to get to a place where I feel healthy again, in both my body and my mind.

Five years after I stopped playing sport, I am taking on my first marathon and hope that by doing so I can raise money to support people to get healthier in their bodies and minds, just like I've done.

The donation link is here - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/conorstone -
Any support, big or small, is hugely appreciated 😊

Thank you and have lovely days!
Conor

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