Fragile

[Appleblossom]

We did not go shopping the other day. @Shaz51 Son opted for staying home, watching a favourite movie and getting Turkish instead. I go with his feelings and preferences when it is for him. I want him to know he can have options. Things were too difficult for him from infancy. At least we are finally able to talk better. I know it seems strange, as we have lived alone for 20 years, but his early years were surrounded by difficulties, to the extent that we could not talk about stuff til recently. I am grateful we have turned that corner. We cannot force people. We have to wait for the right time. I have always been available. It is what it is.

@AuntGlow thank you 

yes flipping the script… regarding lived experience can be very helpful 

🍎

[Appleblossom]

@AlwaysMyself @heartathome @GezzaP @Rovja @REDLINEZ750 @Chasingsunsets @Cuddlebear @Dreamy @PeppyPatti @Shaz51 @Dimity @Snowie @outlander @Eve7 @Zoe7 @Faith-and-Hope @Bunniekins 

@tyme @AuntGlow @rav3n and anyone who feels inspired to join this conversation…I don’t want to leave people out nor, overly bother with tagging…

I post on this thread for my needs but general mental health advocacy is dear to my heart so it can all be part of this conversation. 

Noting it is mental health awareness week.

 I was asked by someone in my singing group who identifies with mental health issues, to include a dirge so I did yesterday. I countered it with a bright jig with Aussie content, The Manly Ferry song. It was good to be able to be up front about mental health issues and touch on it briefly and communally in our little group. It helps me feel aligned and authentic. Gradually any sense of masking is dropping away. The pressure to cope and push feelings down has been massive in my life. One person mentioned that the cheery song brought up sadness for her, as she associated it with loss of friends, since she had arrived in Melbourne. We could all just have a deeper moment together and move on. 

Still vulnerable though, so very very sensitive about social inclusion, but finally also seeing my resilience.

[Dreamy]

Hello @Appleblossom ❤️.

Mental health is still very much something that comes with stigma although it is alot better than it used to be. It feels like masking is something we have to do on a daily basis and it's exhausting but what choice do we have if we want to be accepted in society.

You are such an amazing person, you are resilient and strong. Never stop being the wonderful person you are sweet ❤️

[Cuddlebear]

@Appleblossom  Good morning lovely. Thank you for tagging me on this thread. 

isn’t it wonderful when you are in a space to feel you can be upfront. I really love how that was possible for you. Feeling you can be yourself and being able to gradually not mask is a precious thing. I find it helps to build our capacity too and lifts the stress of having to pretend. 

You have been very resilient and I’m really proud of you for being able to see just how resilient you are. You’re a kind, generous and very empathetic person and anyone who has you in their life is very privileged. 

[Dimity]

Hugs @Appleblossom . So glad you're finding your place and at the same time making space for others  - authenticity integrity and belonging are precious attributes. 

[Appleblossom]

Thank you @Dreamy @Cuddlebear @Dimity 

music has so much richness and reflects our emotional lives.

💙🎶🍎

[Cuddlebear]

@Appleblossom  Music sure is beautiful and really an art that is enjoyable and also able to help us heal and feel a sense of calm. I’ve been enjoying some gentle music as it really is helping me at the moment. It’s just instrumental and very therapeutic for me.

[Chasingsunsets]

Hi @Appleblossom thanks for sharing your day yesterday, I loveeee your self reflection on seeing your resilience, that’s huge. Go you. Your resilience definitely shines through here ☀️

It’s also so awesome that you were all able to have a meaningful discussion with one another, more discussions like this need to happen hey 🙏💛

Thanks so much for the tag and hope you have a lovely day!

@Cuddlebear @Dreamy @Dimity 

[rav3n]

so lovely, thanks for sharing @Appleblossom the fact that it helped with dropping your mask even by a bit shows how important this moment was. i love how music can bring people together and make us feel seen 💙

[Shaz51]

thank you for sharing and tagging me my sister @Appleblossom 😍

you have been my awesome friend for the past nearly 11 years 

@rav3n , @Chasingsunsets , @Cuddlebear , @Dimity , @Dreamy