Day 7 – “I’m Fine” Doesn’t Always Mean Fine
“I’m fine” often hides pain. Day 7 – “I’m Fine” Doesn’t Always Mean Fine “How are you?” “I’m fine.” How many times have we all said it – even when we’re anything but? “I’m fine” is the universal safety net. It’s quick. It’s polite. It keeps the conversation moving. However, so often, it’s a lie – a mask. A shield. A way of saying, “Please don’t dig deeper, I can’t go there right now.” On that note: F.I.N.E – is an acronym (one of many) for “F**ked Up, Insecure, Neurotic, and Emotional,” great alignment to our own Mental Health (in my opinion). The song “F.I.N.E.” is by the rock band Aerosmith, and featured on their 1989 album Pump. The truth is, we’ve been taught to protect others from our pain. We’ve learned to smile and say “fine” when we’re barely holding it together because we don’t want to be a burden. Because we think no one really wants to know. We think no one can (or wants to) help! But what if we started listening differently? What if “I’m fine” became a signal – not a conclusion? This post is a reminder to read between the lines. To check in again with friends, family, colleagues and connections. To offer presence instead of platitudes. You don’t have to fix anyone. But you can make space for the truth – messy, raw, and human. 💬 Honest Question Time: When was the last time you said “I’m fine” – but you really weren’t? This is a conversation for us all – people struggling and those who want to help and support. 🧭 Follow the full journey: You can catch each day’s post right here an can follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky. Thank you for joining me on this journey. 🔗 SharePointMark – A Bit of This & A Byte of That #ImFine #LetsTalkMentalHealth #EmotionalSupport #CheckInWithYourPeople #MentalHealthAwareness #SupportMatters
Day 6 – Burnout Isn’t Just Being Tired
Burnout is deeper than tiredness Day 6 – Burnout Isn’t Just Being Tired You’re tired; but it’s more than that. You’re not just physically exhausted. You’re emotionally drained. Spiritually flat. Mentally fried. That’s burnout! And no, it’s not “just a busy week”. It’s not laziness. It’s not a lack of motivation. It’s the cost of carrying too much for too long without pause. Burnout creeps in slowly: You start dreading things you used to enjoy. Your mind feels foggy, no matter how much sleep you get. Small tasks feel like mountains. You feel detached — from work, people, and even yourself. It can happen to anyone: carers, employees, parents, volunteers, managers – even mental health advocates. This post is your permission slip: You’re allowed to rest. You’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to ask for help. Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been strong for too long without enough support. The Garden Within Us – A Metaphor When it comes to understanding mental health, metaphors can be more powerful than definitions. They allow us to connect emotionally with something that otherwise feels abstract. Among all the metaphors used to describe mental wellbeing, none is more fitting, more visual, or more universally understood than that of a garden. Imagine your mind as a garden As a child, many of us were taught how to plant seeds, water the soil, and watch something grow. We felt the excitement of seeing the first sprout push through. Gardens were magical then; full of colour, bugs, smells, and potential. As we grow older, we often forget that magic, treating our inner world like a machine to maintain, rather than a living space to nurture. A garden never stops being a garden, even when neglected. It doesn’t lose its potential, it just waits. Some days, your inner garden blooms with energy and hope. On other days, it may be tired, dry, or overrun with weeds like self-doubt, or burnout. There are seasons when things flourish, and seasons when things feel still. That stillness isn’t a failure. It’s part of the cycle. Like a real garden, your mental health doesn’t thrive by accident. It requires attention. Regular check-ins. Time. Support. Sometimes, it needs pruning – letting go of thoughts or environments that no longer serve you. Other times, it needs shade and rest, not more sunlight and hustle. “A garden requires patient labour and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfil good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.” – Liberty Hyde Bailey, botanist and educator This metaphor gives us permission to be tender with ourselves. To recognise that thriving doesn’t mean blooming every day. It can mean holding steady. It can mean holding on. A child may understand this easily. They watch nature closely. They see that even the smallest seed needs time. Teenagers, who may be feeling the overwhelming pressure to be ‘okay’ all the time, can benefit from this metaphor, too. It says: You are growing, even when you feel stuck. Adults, caught up in routines and roles, often lose sight of their inner soil. We expect ourselves to function endlessly, to produce, perform, and cope without pause. But nothing in nature works that way. Everything needs downtime. Too often, we only notice our mental health when it’s in decline; when burnout takes hold, when anxiety chokes our breath, when we find ourselves retreating from the things that once brought joy. A gardener doesn’t just water plants when they’re dying. They check the soil, feed it regularly, and pull out weeds before they take over. 💬 Reflection: What’s one thing you could let go of, just for today, to protect your energy? This is a conversation for us all – people struggling and those who want to help and support. 🧭 Follow the full journey: You can catch each day’s post right here an can follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky. Thank you for joining me on this journey. 🔗 SharePointMark – A Bit of This & A Byte of That #BurnoutAwareness #LetsTalkMentalHealth #ChronicFatigue #YouAreNotAlone #MentalHealthJourney #BurnoutIsReal #SupportMatters
Day 5 – The Smile That Hides Everything
The Smile That Hides Everything Day 5 – The Smile That Hides Everything You’ve seen them – always smiling, always polite, always showing up. They make the jokes. They ask how others are. They never cause a fuss. But behind that smile? Pain. Exhaustion. Anxiety. Depression. Trauma. Loneliness. We live in a world that praises strength, even when it’s a mask. That’s why so many of us become masters at hiding how we truly feel. If this is you – if you’re someone who keeps it all inside, who pushes through the day smiling while carrying a storm within; this is for you. You are not weak for hiding. You were just trying to survive in a world that doesn’t always make space for vulnerability. But you deserve more than survival. You deserve rest. You deserve support. You deserve spaces where you don’t have to pretend. 💬 Question: Who is someone in your life that always seems “okay” and when did you last check in? So let’s change the narrative. Let’s make it okay to say, “I’m not okay” – even when your face says otherwise. One of the most startling things I have learned is how much society conditions us to ignore mental health until it becomes undeniable. We are taught to push through stress, to minimise emotional pain, to wear resilience as if it is armour that never cracks. We do not talk about mental health until it reaches a breaking point. In that silence, so much is lost; understanding, connection, and the chance to offer or ask for support before it is too late. I used to believe mental health challenges were rare or obvious, that they always come with clear signs like sadness or withdrawal. I have learned that mental health struggles can be quiet, hidden in plain sight. They do not always announce themselves. Sometimes they look like irritability or perfectionism, like exhaustion or apathy, like someone saying, “I’m fine,” when they’re anything but fine. Most importantly, I have learned that mental health is a continuum; it is not about being “fine” or “not fine.” It is about recognising the small shifts, the gradual changes that can either lead us to a better place or pull us further into struggle. It is about understanding that we do not have to wait until things reach a crisis point to seek help or offer it. Remember: Every Day is a New Day This is a conversation for us all – people struggling and those who want to help and support. 🧭 Follow the full journey: You can catch each day’s post right here an can follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky. Thank you for joining me on this journey. 🔗 SharePointMark – A Bit of This & A Byte of That #TheSmileThatHidesEverything #LetsTalkMentalHealth #InvisibleStruggles #MentalHealthAwareness #SmilingDepression #SupportMatters
Day 4 – You Don’t Have to Fix Everything
You Don’t Have to Fix Everything Day 4 – You Don’t Have to Fix Everything Sometimes, loving someone who’s struggling with their mental health feels like holding water in your hands – it slips through, no matter how tight you try to hold it. You want to help. You want to say the right thing. You want to do something – anything to make it better. Here’s a truth that’s heavy and freeing all at once: You don’t have to fix everything. You’re not a therapist. You’re not a miracle worker and you’re not failing if someone you care about is still hurting. Your job is not to heal them – it’s to walk with them, without judgment. To listen. To show up. To remind them, by your quiet presence, that they’re not alone. Sometimes, the most powerful support is simply not walking away. 💬 Reflection: What does support look like when words aren’t enough? The Power of Listening Imagine a situation where someone is overwhelmed and dragged down by life’s challenges, be it stress related, anxiety, depression, grief, or another mental health concern. In such moments, the opportunity to speak openly without fear of judgement can feel like a lifeline. Listening provides a critical first step in breaking the silence that often surrounds mental health issues, enabling individuals to recognise their feelings and take actionable steps toward recovery. How Listening Promotes Healing Listening provides individuals with a safe space to process their thoughts and emotions. Often, people struggling with mental health challenges find it difficult to articulate their feelings, leading to frustration and hopelessness. Active listening: Encourages individuals to explore and express their emotions. Creates clarity, helping them understand their struggles and identify potential solutions. Reduces the mental “weight” of unspoken worries or stress, offering a path toward relief. Listening is a Lifeline Listening is not just an interpersonal skill, it is an act of advocacy. It demonstrates care, compassion, and commitment to supporting others. This is a message for every partner, friend, manager, colleague, or parent who thinks they’re not doing enough – you are. 🧭 Follow the full journey: You can catch each day’s post right here an can follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky. Thank you for joining me on this journey. 🔗 SharePointMark – A Bit of This & A Byte of That #YouDontHaveToFixEverything #LetsTalkMentalHealth #EmotionalSupport #CompassionMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #SupportWithoutFixing
Day 3 – When It’s Hard to Get Out of Bed
When It’s Hard to Get Out of Bed Day 3 – When It’s Hard to Get Out of Bed Some days, the hardest part isn’t the meeting, the work, or the decisions. It’s getting up. Lifting the duvet. Putting two feet on the ground. We don’t talk about this enough – the mornings when your body feels heavy, your mind louder than usual, and your energy invisible. This is the quiet reality of so many living with depression, burnout, grief, anxiety, or chronic illness. Getting out of bed can feel like lifting the weight of the world; If that’s you today – know this: You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re carrying more than most people ever see. Mental health isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it looks like lying there, negotiating with your own thoughts. And sometimes, it’s a win just to sit up, to breathe, to swing your legs over the side. The Journey of Recovery and Resources for Support Professional support, whether through therapy, medication, or a combination of both, plays a crucial role. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and newer treatments like Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are examples of how recovery can be tailored to an individual’s needs. But recovery is also about the small wins: getting out of bed, seeking sunlight, or sharing an honest conversation. Remember: Recovery is a Journey, Not a Destination The Power of Support Networks Support networks, both formal and informal, are critical during recovery. Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs), trusted colleagues, friends, and family members can all serve as anchors in turbulent times. Simple acts, such as listening without judgment or accompanying someone to a therapy session, can make an immeasurable difference. This post is for the mornings when even that feels impossible. You’re not alone. What you’re feeling is valid. 💬 Question: What do you tell yourself on the days when everything feels heavy? This is a conversation for us all – people struggling and those who want to help and support. 🧭 Follow the full journey: You can catch each day’s post right here an can follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky. Thank you for joining me on this journey. 🔗 SharePointMark – A Bit of This & A Byte of That #WhenItsHardToGetUp #LetsTalkMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #InvisibleStruggles #YouAreNotAlone
Day 2 – Embracing Self‑Care
Embracing Self-Care Day 2 – Embracing Self-Care Today is Day 2 of my 90-day challenge and a journey into mental health — and the focus is on self-care. You’ve probably heard that term a hundred times. But let’s take it back to its root. Self-care isn’t spa days or expensive retreats. It’s noticing that you’re overwhelmed and choosing to breathe. It’s eating something nourishing even when you don’t feel like it. It’s saying “no” when you’re already carrying too much. The Stigma of Self-Care: Why It Feels Selfish and Why It Is Not If you have ever felt guilty about taking time for yourself, you are not alone. Many mental health supporters struggle with the idea of self-care. Society has long perpetuated the myth that being selfless is the ultimate virtue; that to truly care for others, you must always put their needs before your own. This narrative is not only harmful but also unsustainable. Remember this: prioritising your own well-being is not selfish; it is essential. When you neglect self-care, you risk burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional exhaustion, all of which diminish your ability to support others effectively. In fact, the most compassionate thing you can do for someone else is to ensure you are mentally and emotionally healthy enough to be there for them. The Guilt Trap: Struggling with Self-Care Self-care is often misrepresented as an indulgence; bubble baths, spa days, or time away from responsibilities. While these activities can be part of self-care, they are not the whole picture. True self-care is about maintaining a balance, setting boundaries, and ensuring your own physical, mental, and emotional well-being journey is essentially realised. Yet for many people, guilt becomes a major barrier to embracing this reality: The Internalised Narrative of Selflessness: Mental Health Supporters (Family, Friends, Colleagues, and MHFAs) often internalise the belief that their worth is tied to how much they can give. This mindset can lead to overextending themselves, believing that stepping back, even momentarily, means they are failing the person they are supporting. Fear of Judgement: The fear of being seen as “selfish” or “uncaring” can prevent a person from taking time for themselves. “They Have It Worse” Syndrome: It is common for many to compare their own struggles to those of the person they are helping, thinking, “I shouldn’t complain – they’re the one really suffering.” This comparison minimises their own feelings and reinforces the belief that their needs are less important. For those supporting others, self-care might look like taking a break to refill your own emotional cup. For those navigating anxiety, depression, or burnout, it might be brushing your teeth, stepping outside, or texting someone to say “I’m here”. 💬 Reflection: What’s one self-care ritual – big or small – that helps you feel steady? These aren’t small acts. They’re daily victories. They remind us that we’re human – not machines. That we’re allowed to rest, reset, and recover. This is a conversation for us all – people navigating difficulty and those who want to learn to help. 🧭 Follow the full journey: You can catch each day’s post right here an can follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky. Thank you for joining me on this journey. 🔗 SharePointMark – A Bit of This & A Byte of That #EmbracingSelfCare #LetsTalkMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfCare #DailyReflection #YouAreNotAlone
Day 1 – Let’s Talk Mental Health
Let’s talk about mental health. This conversation is for everyone – people who are struggling, and those who want to support. 💬 What’s one word that comes to mind when you hear “mental health”? Day 1 – Let’s Talk Mental Health Today, I begin a 90-day challenge; a conversation about mental health. This isn’t just a series of reflections. It’s a small space to pause, to think, and to remember that mental health matters — for all of us. Some of us are struggling. Some of us are supporting. Some of us are just beginning to understand. Wherever you are, you’re not alone. And this is your invitation to reflect, connect, and start talking — even if just to yourself. What Does ‘Mental Health’ Actually Mean? Mental health is a phrase we often hear, yet its meaning can sometimes feel abstract or difficult to understand. At its core, mental health is about how we think, feel, and behave. It influences how we handle stress, relate to others, and make decisions. In simpler terms, mental health is as much a part of our overall well-being as physical health. Just as we strive to maintain a healthy body, we must also care for our minds. Breaking Down Mental Health into Key Areas To better understand mental health, it helps to think of it as having three interconnected components: Emotional Well-being: This refers to how we manage our feelings and respond to life’s challenges. For example, feeling joy after a personal success or sadness after a loss are natural emotional responses. Psychological Well-being: This involves how we process thoughts, perceptions, and experiences. It shapes how we view ourselves and the world around us. Social Well-being: This is about our relationships and interactions. Building meaningful connections with others can positively impact our mental health, while isolation or strained relationships may have the opposite effect. When these components are in balance, we feel better equipped to face life’s ups and downs. However, just like physical health, our mental health is not static, it fluctuates based on various (often unforeseen or unexpected) factors. 💬 What’s one word that comes to mind when you think about mental health? This is a conversation for us all – people navigating difficulty and those who want to learn to help. 🧭 Follow the full journey: I’ll be posting every day for 90 days. You can follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Bluesky — and you’ll always find each post right here on this site. Thank you for joining me on this journey. 🔗 SharePointMark – A Bit of This & A Byte of That #MentalHealth #90DayChallenge #DailyWellbeing #WhatIsMentalHealth
Going Live Today: Mental Health Bits
Day 1 – Going Live Today: join us at 7pm UK time for the first post in my 90-day mental health series. On your Marks, Get-Set, Go…. Going Live Today!! Tonight at 7:00 pm UK time, I launch Day 1 of my “90 Days of Mental Health Bits” challenge. For the next 90 days, you’ll see a fresh, raw and supportive post at the same time each evening; designed to be short and to break down the stigma, spark reflection and build understanding and resilience through honest thoughts, information and practical tips. Getting started: Find a quiet moment, set a five‑minute timer, and join me here on the website at exactly 7:00 pm UK time. This evening’s post (Day 1) will cover an introduction to the series, and a reflection prompt to begin the journey: What does Mental Health actually mean? Question: How will you create space today to show up for yourself at 7:00 pm? This is a conversation for us all – people navigating difficulty and those who want to learn to help. Check out my Full (15 min read posts) at: 🔗 SharePointMark – A Bit of This & A Byte of That #MentalHealth #90DayChallenge #DailyWellbeing #Countdown #GoLiveToday