stephc2021

Kindness in the community

As this site focuses mostly on Mental Illness and positive mental health practices, I’ve always felt responsible enough to signpost visitors to professional help if they feel they’d benefit from it. Most of that help comes from charities, specialists in specific causes of stress, as well as the NHS and sometimes information bases where youContinue reading “Kindness in the community”

Things that make you go ahhhh. Part 1 – Food 🍕 🍔 🎂 🍗

Welcome to the first in a series of posts designed to remind us all of the things that bring a smile, warm the cockles of our hearts and reduce anxiety to a quivering, tiny mass – even if it’s only temporary. Coming soon there’ll be posts about family (forced and enlisted!), reading, kindness, memories, film,Continue reading “Things that make you go ahhhh. Part 1 – Food 🍕 🍔 🎂 🍗”

Bitterness – another unhelpful trait I nurture

I’m going to talk in a bit of detail about this subject, but I need to explain how I ended up writing this post in the first place. Unfortunately it wasn’t a pleasant experience and it’s left me very broken and sad. But that doesn’t mean I should pretend it didn’t happen. Having recently spentContinue reading “Bitterness – another unhelpful trait I nurture”

Wait, what? Did someone say podcast???

March and April have been…well…weird months for me. It’s not been an easy period and my shock at the behaviour of others seems to know no limits. Regardless of the actions of others and the events I continue dragging my feet through, I want to continue the positive rhetoric following the incredible news that I’mContinue reading “Wait, what? Did someone say podcast???”

I’m very proud to announce…

I’ve been teasing over a BIG announcement for some time. This is a project that’s been in the pipeline since before Christmas and, thanks to some positive and forward-thinking people, has the power to help make a REAL difference. I am therefore thrilled to announce that I am helping the Cruse Bereavement Support (South East)Continue reading “I’m very proud to announce…”

I’m a parent, I plead guilty

The journey I’m about to take you on in this post will remind you of things you may have done or may do in the future, and possibly make you feel guilty about your decisions or ideas. Please read to the end because I can’t stress enough, there is a positive point to all this.Continue reading “I’m a parent, I plead guilty”

Belief

Bloody hell! Yes, friend. You are in the RIGHT place. For the first time in a while I’m going to talk about something positive that I not only understand…I have it. I have ALOT of it. In fact (serious statement coming) I had to hunt it down like an outcast lion searching for a lonelyContinue reading “Belief”

Accepting the unacceptable

I may never be more than I am today. Last weekend I sat in the mirror after putting an inch thick barrier of make-up on, removing the possibility of the postman having to face ‘the Real Steph’, and told myself that exact statement. I may NEVER be more than I am today. The inevitable internalContinue reading “Accepting the unacceptable”

Flash Fiction WINNER 🏆

I’m making a deliberate effort to change the way I write and SOMETIMES alter the narrative perspective and style of my stories. It’s not easy. I think most writers have a ‘way’ they work and it can be incredibly hard to break away from. But one of the most important elements of my creative journeyContinue reading “Flash Fiction WINNER 🏆”

Fu*k mindfulness. I can’t do it.

If you’re looking for a stress solution or REAL mental health care, then I apologise, but this post ain’t it. Can I instead direct you towards the Our Brains page on this website where there are some more practical thoughts and actual places to go and get proper help, support and advice. Go to theContinue reading “Fu*k mindfulness. I can’t do it.”