Today is World Mental Health Day, and the theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health this year is “it’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”.

It would be amazing if big corporations would take this into account and make some changes.

I suffered from burnout which came to a head in September of 2018 when I walked out of work in floods of tears.

There was very little support back then. It was considered a failure to be off sick with mental heath. I knew my career there would never recover despite it being cussed by my reaction to the environment.
This is a really good article on burnout. I have to say I didn’t know it was a thing at the time.
As a people pleaser, I got tied up in knots trying to keep everyone happy.
As a customer facing Commercial Manager, it was my job to manage the team of customer facing Contract Managers. It was our job to deliver exactly what they had ordered. It was our job to delight them.
I worked long hours to try to achieve this.
I worked extra hours trying to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s as I was a perfectionist and expected the best from everyone.
As a Manager of people it was my job to listen to them, support them and to lead them in the best way that I could. I also wanted them to like me, which, a manager is never likely to be able to achieve. I think it was that bit that probably tied me in knots the most. I tried to keep all the people happy, all of the time.

I was very good at what I did but that did not necessarily make me a good manager of people.
After years of trying to work perfectly in an imperfect world, I burned out. I lost all of my confidence, all of my self worth and I became a shadow of my former self.
The suited and high-heeled senior manager became a snivelling wreck in joggies and a sweatshirt and I put on weight on a daily basis.
There were days when I was so terrified by who I had become.
I was scared of everything.
I got to the stage where I felt I had nowhere else to turn.
Despite my loving family and friends, I felt had become burden and I felt I had nowhere else to turn.
I was so desperate.

I called the Samaritans one day.

It really did help to have someone else to talk to.
When your head is lying to you…. Please, please, please just talk. Speak to anyone who will listen. Get it out. Don’t keep it in and bury it down.
A problem shared is a problem halved.
It’s so good to talk.

On my journey, I have met so many people that have very difficult life stories, it’s fascinating to listen to what others have gone through. I love nothing more than a deep chat with someone.

You never know what someone is going through. The person next to you, could be at breaking point. Always be kind to others.

I will always keep banging the drum.
Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️























































































































































































































































































































































