In the few times I have felt confident in myself to subtly open up to someone; what help or advice do i get….. 

"Just don't let things get you down and just don't be sad."

Brilliant, thanks for that; problem solved. Clearly my subtle cries for help are so subtle that no one takes them seriously or understands this is me trying my best to open up and ask for help. It is this that made me realise that if I am ever going to receive some support or have someone in my life that truly understands what it is I am going through; then I need to start being more direct and clear about my emotions.

So in keeping with Chapter 1, my challenge to myself, and I task you to do the same, is when someone asks you the generic “Hey, How are you?” i am **not** going to respond with the typical “Yeah good thanks, How are you?”. Instead I am going to let them in (Just a little bit!) and be honest if I am struggling. Don't get me wrong, I am not going to hit them with….  

“Well last night I contemplated killing myself for over an hour, but instead I just washed down some sleeping tablets with a bottle of whiskey!”

However, if I am feeling down or things are becoming all too much, I will hold my hands up, accept it, and confide in someone close to me that I am really finding things tough right now.

My biggest blocker is that I worry about everything; I even worry about making other people worry! I am sure there are those around me who would welcome the additional stress if it meant helping me overcome my challenges. However, I refuse to allow myself to believe that my problems are worth inconveniencing others.

**“Just because your problems may not be as bad as others, doesn't mean they should be any less important to you!”**

I know there are others out there who are going through much worse times than I am right now, and I genuinely feel ridiculous that I struggle to cope through everyday life! There are others, maybe even yourself, who have the weight of the world on their shoulders, however appear to do just fine! But everyone is different. Everyone processes emotions differently and deals with stress in other ways.

However, like i said above, even though i feel like my problems may not stack up to others, I need to own them and deal with them to truly become happy again. And before you can start helping others, you must help yourself to be in a position to do so.

There are not necessarily any right ways of dealing with your challenges with mental health; however there are definitely many that are wrong. I know the ones that aren't healthy for me and are only providing me with the quick fixes, so as part of my second step in finding my happiness; i have cut them out of my life. 

Do the same! Please do it! It has really helped me in becoming more consistent with my emotions. Don't just think about it, write it down. On paper, on your phone, anywhere. It's amazing how much weight lifts off of you when you do it that way. Take a step back from “you” and look at what coping mechanisms you are using and decide whether they are helping you find your happiness. 

For me, Alcohol, tablets, isolating myself, junk food and becoming slothful were the main things on my list of coping mechanisms; all of which have now been removed (or consumed in moderation, as that Friday cheat meal is AMAZING!). But now that has been replaced with exercise, fitness goals, better sleeping patterns and being a bit more creative, to give me that endorphin rush of completing a puzzle, woodworking etc.

Have a great day and try to remember......

"Not Every Day Is Great, But There's A Little Great In Every Day"