Hey, I’m Emily. I’m 22 and currently a student studying Social Work at university. In my spare time I started my blog as a place for me to openly talk and write about topics close to my heart, which is why you’ll find me being extremely honest and passionate. I absolutely love being a blogger and am enjoying the journey it is taking me on.

I have only recently struggled with my mental health, after about a year and a half ago I went through some struggles with my diet and unexpectedly became dairy intolerant. During this period of time, I struggled to eat any food without feeling sick and after continuous tests from the doctor, nobody could tell me what was wrong with me. After months and months of this happening, I got myself into what I can only describe as a dark hole. I wouldn’t eat, I lost weight, I didn’t leave my house and I spent most of my days in bed, crying. At the time, this felt like my only option and my mind was in a place where I did not see anything abnormal in my actions. The depression I was feeling felt like a big black cloud creeping up on me from behind and hovering over me, with a hold on my throat and chest. The feeling of this creeping up on me, increased my anxiety and made me panic – it was quite a viscous cycle.

After nearly a year and a half, and following some stern words from the people who are closest to me, I realised there was possibly more going on in my mind than just problem with my diet. I learnt to admit that I was struggling and to use the words “depressed” and “anxiety” out loud was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but it changed my life for the better. After some hard, personal work and the support of my family and friends I am now in a much better place than I was before. Don’t get me wrong, I am left with some anxiety issues which I am working on continuously and some days are harder than others, but I am getting there. My message to others is; things will get brighter, just keep fighting.

I honestly feel as though the best way to start the process of overcoming mental health issues is to talk about them. Start the conversation with someone you trust and feel comfortable with. I know saying the words and getting the thoughts from your mind into actual words is extremely difficult, but take your time, say whatever comes to mind and then make sense of it as you go along. I am a massive over thinker personally, so I have to just get the thoughts out into the open and then as I talk to someone about them, they begin to make more sense to myself as well. Once this conversation is done, you’ll be able to get the help and support that you need and things can begin to get better – this won’t happen overnight but you can start the process, which is a massive step.

Mental health issues are some of the biggest and hardest things you’ll ever have to deal with but don’t forget you are never alone. Reach out to people and get the help and support that you need to get yourself better. You have to look after number one in life and without taking good care and loving yourself, how can anyone else do it either? Be you, be strong and keep fighting. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it doesn’t feel that way at the moment. Look to where you are going and aiming to be, not back to where you used to be.

Thank you for taking the time to read, I am by no means an expert but I am also open for a chat if any of you ever need it.

Love Emily x

You can get in touch with Emily via Twitter and Instagram or you can find her blog here

Thank you for reading and make sure to follow Emily on her social media accounts, and myself on Bloglovin and Facebook

I'll see you soon

Kimberley Jessica