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Best Of
Re: Crochet
@jess63 the suitcase mouse is so adorable. I keep seeing these pop up on my fyp on Instagram. I've also seen the knitted frogs too and they look so adorable. I might have to make both!.
@amy02 Crochet is so fun to get into though it does take a few tries and goes in the beginning. I think it's great that you put it as a new years resolution too as it's a relaxing hobby too and a great past time
@amy02 Crochet is so fun to get into though it does take a few tries and goes in the beginning. I think it's great that you put it as a new years resolution too as it's a relaxing hobby too and a great past time
Amy22
1
Re: Feel like I’m never going to be employed
congrats on the job offer @KBee99 - hope it all goes well 
Re: counselling
@River I'm really sorry you've had a negative experience with counselling, therapists are supposed to be validating and create a safe space. It sounds like you experienced a lot of invalidation and potentially gaslighting which is really difficult to cope with, so it's understandable that you would struggle during the sessions. I'm hesitant to label your experience but it might help you come to terms with what happened and although it's unfortunate it really impacted your mental health, it may help you understand that it's a reasonable reaction to being treated that poorly, although it never should've happened in the first place. Would you consider reporting the therapist to the centre or reporting the centre if it's impacted you really negatively? If not it's understandable if you might just want to move on, but the option's there.
It makes sense why you're avoiding counselling, but I think this might create a bit of a vicious cycle where you're apprehensive to seek help again. It's great that you're managing to open up online as it's a great first step. It might help to, once you're ready, tell the counsellors ahead of or even in the first session that you've had a poor previous experience within the therapeutic setting which is making you feel apprehensive about attending sessions and opening up about experiences. It's worth noting that you don't have to open up to therapists immediately, it's natural to need to warm up to them first, as it's a really big step to go to the first session of therapy.
It's understandable that you're experiencing many barriers about accessing therapy but make sure to be kind on yourself and don't rush things as it takes time to recover from negative experiences. It's possible that you could request a session taking place remotely so you can type your thoughts and then build up to being in person, as it might help to be somewhere you feel comfortable like in your home environment. You could maybe get someone trusted to attend with you to the sessions that might make you feel more comfortable. It just depends on what you think might work for you, but there's definitely options out there. What I would say is that good therapist should be validating your feelings and helping you through your thoughts, without any shame or judgement attached. I hope this helps
It makes sense why you're avoiding counselling, but I think this might create a bit of a vicious cycle where you're apprehensive to seek help again. It's great that you're managing to open up online as it's a great first step. It might help to, once you're ready, tell the counsellors ahead of or even in the first session that you've had a poor previous experience within the therapeutic setting which is making you feel apprehensive about attending sessions and opening up about experiences. It's worth noting that you don't have to open up to therapists immediately, it's natural to need to warm up to them first, as it's a really big step to go to the first session of therapy.
It's understandable that you're experiencing many barriers about accessing therapy but make sure to be kind on yourself and don't rush things as it takes time to recover from negative experiences. It's possible that you could request a session taking place remotely so you can type your thoughts and then build up to being in person, as it might help to be somewhere you feel comfortable like in your home environment. You could maybe get someone trusted to attend with you to the sessions that might make you feel more comfortable. It just depends on what you think might work for you, but there's definitely options out there. What I would say is that good therapist should be validating your feelings and helping you through your thoughts, without any shame or judgement attached. I hope this helps
How to look after our mental health during the holidays - tips from The Mix ✨
Christmas is nearly here, and that overwhelming pressure that you must feel happy and festive at all times is dawning on us. Sound familiar? You’re not alone – this really is a common challenge.
The holidays can be a tough time to get through, but we’re here with a reassuring guide packed with tips to help us navigate through the festivities and look after wellbeing. 💛
What tips would you give to someone on looking after your mental health during the holidays? Let us know below👇
Alt text spoilered:
You can also view the post over on our Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/themixuk
The holidays can be a tough time to get through, but we’re here with a reassuring guide packed with tips to help us navigate through the festivities and look after wellbeing. 💛
What tips would you give to someone on looking after your mental health during the holidays? Let us know below👇
Alt text spoilered:
How to look after our mental health during the holidays
If we're struggling with our mental health, the in-your-face merriment of the festive period can be grating, leading us to feel even more rubbish than before. If this is a reality, know we're not alone - this is a really common problem.
Why is everyone happy apart from me?
When we're feeling low at this time of year, it can feel as if everyone else is walking around in a John Lewis Christmas ad.
It can be isolating, making us feel we're the only ones not enjoying ourselves. The truth is lots of people struggle over the holidays. It's a tough old time to get through, but please remember, it's normal to feel sad or anxious sometimes.
Remember that social media is often a place where people filter the hell out of their photos to make life look better than it is.
Try not to get caught up in the fakery of social media and consider taking a break from it.
We should try not to beat ourselves up for feeling like this. Remember to be kind to ourselves and let ourselves feel the way we feel.
When we're feeling low, events like the office Christmas party can feel like a slog we'd rather sit out.
But try not to avoid social situations entirely, as this can lead to feelings of isolation - we can show our faces, stick with our favourite people, enjoy a mince pie and know that it's fine if we need to leave early.
How to cope with being at home with family
Giving ourselves a job and having a part to play can give us purpose and can be a nice distraction from how we're feeling.
We could talk to family about what kind of role we might like. Perhaps we want to appoint ourselves as chief mince pie maker. Perhaps we could run a card making workshop for the kids in the family.
Take a bit of time to go and see friends. If we don't have friends nearby, give them a call - chance are they're struggling with enforced family time too.
Try speaking to a family member we're close to about how we're feeing. Even if they don't have all the right answers, it should feel like a weight off our shoulders.
If we're feeling lonely and in need of Christmas plans, we shouldn't be afraid to ask a friend or someone we know if we can spend the day with them.
Try to have a couple of options and ask people in advance.
If we do spend Christmas day by ourselves, try to get out of the house. For example, volunteering for a homeless shelter is an opportunity to meet lovely people and feel like we're doing something worthwhile.
New Year's Eve
So, we've made it through Christmas, but a mere six days later we find ourselves navigating yet another big shebang.
New Year's Eve can be a time of reflection and an opportunity to let loose but if you're feeling low, it can feel like another hurdle.
Try not to put pressure on yourself. Do what you fancy. If a night in, curled up on the sofa with Netflix on in the background is what you fancy, do that.
Don't bother with resolutions.
School and work give us enough targets as it is without the added pressure from ourselves to get top grades, get a promotion, eat more green stuff, save more money...
NYE may be a time for reflection but try not to reflect on underachieved goals. Give yourself a break, you deserve better than that.
If we're struggling with our mental health, the in-your-face merriment of the festive period can be grating, leading us to feel even more rubbish than before. If this is a reality, know we're not alone - this is a really common problem.
Why is everyone happy apart from me?
When we're feeling low at this time of year, it can feel as if everyone else is walking around in a John Lewis Christmas ad.
It can be isolating, making us feel we're the only ones not enjoying ourselves. The truth is lots of people struggle over the holidays. It's a tough old time to get through, but please remember, it's normal to feel sad or anxious sometimes.
Remember that social media is often a place where people filter the hell out of their photos to make life look better than it is.
Try not to get caught up in the fakery of social media and consider taking a break from it.
We should try not to beat ourselves up for feeling like this. Remember to be kind to ourselves and let ourselves feel the way we feel.
When we're feeling low, events like the office Christmas party can feel like a slog we'd rather sit out.
But try not to avoid social situations entirely, as this can lead to feelings of isolation - we can show our faces, stick with our favourite people, enjoy a mince pie and know that it's fine if we need to leave early.
How to cope with being at home with family
Giving ourselves a job and having a part to play can give us purpose and can be a nice distraction from how we're feeling.
We could talk to family about what kind of role we might like. Perhaps we want to appoint ourselves as chief mince pie maker. Perhaps we could run a card making workshop for the kids in the family.
Take a bit of time to go and see friends. If we don't have friends nearby, give them a call - chance are they're struggling with enforced family time too.
Try speaking to a family member we're close to about how we're feeing. Even if they don't have all the right answers, it should feel like a weight off our shoulders.
If we're feeling lonely and in need of Christmas plans, we shouldn't be afraid to ask a friend or someone we know if we can spend the day with them.
Try to have a couple of options and ask people in advance.
If we do spend Christmas day by ourselves, try to get out of the house. For example, volunteering for a homeless shelter is an opportunity to meet lovely people and feel like we're doing something worthwhile.
New Year's Eve
So, we've made it through Christmas, but a mere six days later we find ourselves navigating yet another big shebang.
New Year's Eve can be a time of reflection and an opportunity to let loose but if you're feeling low, it can feel like another hurdle.
Try not to put pressure on yourself. Do what you fancy. If a night in, curled up on the sofa with Netflix on in the background is what you fancy, do that.
Don't bother with resolutions.
School and work give us enough targets as it is without the added pressure from ourselves to get top grades, get a promotion, eat more green stuff, save more money...
NYE may be a time for reflection but try not to reflect on underachieved goals. Give yourself a break, you deserve better than that.
You can also view the post over on our Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/themixuk
Gemma
4