Acne, depression, anxiety and a quarter-life crisis - my 24th and 25th years were hella hard. I lay pretty comfortable quite close to rock bottom for months, twice. The first time it was worse, because I was in a city I was not happy in, not surrounded by friends or family. The second time it was a lot easier to be complacent and sit in my depression, living a seemingly enviable life, shutting out anyone that I didn’t see face to face.

The second time around I was living with my parents, and in a relationship with a person who was, and is, unshakable in his non-judgmental support for me. A mix of medication, expectations that were not met and self-realisation issues put me there. A mix of non-medication, a crap load of support from near and far, sheer determination and a place I love to call home, along with some good old good fortune got me out of it, and now I’m in a good place.

From the outside, I have no reason to have anxiety attacks, or to be depressed, for that matter - but moments pass, thankfully much quicker now than over the last few years! I am so grateful for the people that share their stories that make me feel better about my own past and current behaviour patterns, and inspire me to not only be a great version of myself, but help and hopefully inspire others to do the same. It’s what inside that counts, as well as what is shown to the world!

Be brave, friends. And unfaltering support is ALWAYS appreciated - even when a person can’t show it. If anyone wants to share their truth with me, publicly or privately... I’ll welcome you with open arms (whether this is literal or figurative remains unclear, mainly dependent on your location) Opening up about this is not easy, nor is it attention seeking, in any other way than to put it out there in the world, just in case it helps someone.