Anxiety is something we all experience from time to time. Most of us would recognize feelings of tension, worry or fear. But if you experience anxiety symptoms at higher levels than usual, or they stay at high levels for long periods of time, this could become really uncomfortable and interfere with everyday life.
     Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems, affecting 1 in 4 people in the UK each year. Still people within most societies view these people as threatening and uncomfortable and these attitudes frequently lead to exclusion or discrimination towards people with mental health problems, which can make it much harder for people to speak openly about what they are going through and seek the help they need.
     Anxiety can be present continuously or triggered by specific situations.
     For some people, anxiety can take over there lives, as panic attacks are an exaggeration of the body's normal response to fear, stress or excitement.
     Depression is another, more serious mental illness, and one that requires long-term treatment and support.
Many people suffer from depression, but sometimes it can make you feel as if you are alone in your struggle.
     Mental health problems are common, but nearly nine in ten people who experience them face stigma or discrimination, and this can be one of the hardest parts of the overall experience, as it can lead to the lost of friendships, isolation, exclusion, difficulties in getting jobs and so on.
     But it doesn't have to be this way. The aim of most Mental Health Campaigns is to encourage us all to be more aware about mental health and for us all to start conversations to help others.

     No, I'm not talking in terms of size or height, or anything physical. I'm talking about outgrowing personally, mentally or even emotionally.
     Every type of relationship is a journey not a destination and as we change and grow as a person due to experiences or situations that life brings to us, sometimes, instead of bringing people closer, we push them away.
     The thing is, people change.
     Out growing someone doesn't mean you are above them or better than them, it just means that you are in different stages of life. 
     I'll be the first to admit I've felt compromised into a relationship, either because of the past or because of the memories I've felt forced to forgive someone.
     It is 100% OK for this to happen. However, for some the idea that your friendship with someone is not what it once was can be a sad prospect, maybe they saw you through a rough time and you appreciate it, but are they really worth it?
     Let me just say, a few years ago, I had a lot of 'best friends', or even 'close friends', or 'friends I met through other friends' and so on. It made me feel good to have so many friends, because I could always go out, or meet up with someone. Eventually, this all began to change. Those who I concidered my close friends began to distance, everyone went there separate ways, they started changing, there was now the drunk friend, the angry friend, the friend that only texted me when they needed something, the hating friend.. I think you get the idea. I went through a period of self-reflection and asked myself if it was perhaps me.
     Well, let me just say I was wrong. There was nothing wrong with me, I was growing up. Everyone gets to a point in life where they face decisions, and for some reason friendships are the most difficult. But for me, they weren't true friendships in the true concept of the word. Little by little I began cutting ties to people who no longer made sence in my life.
     This year my priorities began to shift and I couldn't and wouldn't  let myself deal with bullshit no longer. In my opinion, the best thing of being self-aware, is you begin to see through peoples bullshit faster than ever. Unfortunately, most people aren't self-aware and refuse to accept their issues. But I, have made the conscious effort to keep the people that are good for me, close, and those who aren't, as far away as possible. I don't believe for a second that because I was once friends with someone they should still feel entitled to my friendship now. 
     What about you, have you been through anything like this? xx