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This is a place to read, listen to, and talk about the difficult things in our lives.

Most of us muddle our way through our days, coping with the demands that others place on us, or we place on ourselves. Our mood rising and falling as we deal with the tasks and obligations that we, or others, demand of us.

In my years of working in Mental health and Addictions, I have heard many people’s stories. They have all been uniquely personal, but the themes and emotions often familiar. Rejection, loss, despair; concern for your own wellbeing or the wellbeing of another.

What have I learned from these encounters, these invitations into the lives of others?

You care. You likely have responsibilities to  partners, children, parents, friends, etc. And your caring often stretches into work roles that involve improving the lives of others.

You struggle with self care: In fact you may not fully understand what it means, or indeed how to take care of yourself. This can be as a result of adverse childhood experiences - for example, having to take on responsibilities beyond your years due to the situation at home.

There is value in talking out our feelings: When we talk out our fears and worries to someone who is trained in empathic listening, we are not given solutions but rather encouraged to explore in more depth our story. As we talk, there is a part of us that listens and processes what we are saying. It is this part that will often offer the comfort, the solution to our problem, the answer to our question, and point the way forward to us.

Other people’s experiences can be a source of support and comfort for us: Connecting with another’s story can be a powerful healing experience, both for the teller and the listener.