Bizarre how well timed this appeared for me..... I just started listening to TFTM a few months ago and started following you on twitter. I've suffered depression and anxiety since my early teens and been a HEAVY drinker all my adult life and at Christmas 2020 aged 36 I had a mental breakdown, followed by an even worse one about 9 days ago that resulted in a couple emergency appointments at the mental health ward in our local hospital. Been signed off work since then and really started working on sorting my shit out. Thanks for this piece man. TTFN dick 'ead ❤
Bang on Sam - difficult subjects talked about in a relatable way. It's important to understand that the cumulative effect of the little shitty everyday things that happen to everyone in life is not trivial; maybe calling it 'ordinary pain' is a way to get it out in the open. Brilliant
You can. You've got reasons to. It's f in hard though. Help changes the possibility but talking with people that you love and love you will help but professional help will really help.
'?..ordinary pain...' A Stevie Wonder song was the first time I heard that term. Fucking hurts. Empties my stomach and gives me the shudders whenever I notice it. Doesn't happen so much as I've been sober most of the last few years but it isn't something I hide anymore but I'm trying not to only tell my missus, doesn't seem right to treat her as a therapist! Thanks for your blogs.
On the nose again Sam - I’ve had periods of burying my head in the sand during my life - I’m lucky enough to have an amazing wife who is good at pulling my head back out and making me open up -hitting 40 though; it’s like a weird Yoda thing - I feel wiser, more comfortable and confident as a person - I still get down but seem to know what works for me - comedy and music are great coping mechanisms as opposed to drink and iron filings, but nothing beats having someone who actually listens willingly to you - and I love offering that to people who don’t always have that outlet - being open, if only to just one person is such a powerful tool in life - thanks again Sam, keep it coming!
Sam - Been really enjoying your articles and was going to comment on previous articles, however, this one really hit the spot. I have always had tough time with worry/anxiety but in more recent years also feeling really low and like you say just sad. I am of similar age to you and a West Ham fanatic (gotta be something in the West Ham thing hey?!) so I find what you say very relatable. It is the sadness which freaks me out as I don't feel in control of that, with the anxiety while a pretty shity feeling I can sort of see an end game in terms of dealing with it and I'm now see a therapist once a week, literally just to chat, it really does help. When I feel down I feel empty/vacant and completely devoid of any joy (even watching Ian Bishop West Ham goals does not help!) However, it is the guilt of feeling like this which really pushes it to another level. I beat myself up for feeling like shit as I what do I have to feel like shit about, got a wife, my daughter, a family home and steady (if tad dull) job?! Like you I find comfort in a bit of nostalgia, be it Star Wars, Carry on films, 90s West Ham and music (you get the drift). Finally before I bore you to death, I adore the podcasts be it TFTM or the movies one and also enjoy your appearances on Stop Hammer Time. Thanks for saying ok to feel sad. TTFN from a loyal Cunter COYI x
Bizarre how well timed this appeared for me..... I just started listening to TFTM a few months ago and started following you on twitter. I've suffered depression and anxiety since my early teens and been a HEAVY drinker all my adult life and at Christmas 2020 aged 36 I had a mental breakdown, followed by an even worse one about 9 days ago that resulted in a couple emergency appointments at the mental health ward in our local hospital. Been signed off work since then and really started working on sorting my shit out. Thanks for this piece man. TTFN dick 'ead ❤
Bang on Sam - difficult subjects talked about in a relatable way. It's important to understand that the cumulative effect of the little shitty everyday things that happen to everyone in life is not trivial; maybe calling it 'ordinary pain' is a way to get it out in the open. Brilliant
This is scarily like a copy of my life story, I just haven’t hit sobriety yet ....
You can. You've got reasons to. It's f in hard though. Help changes the possibility but talking with people that you love and love you will help but professional help will really help.
... and being on here admitting that is a massive step forward x
Brilliant again Sam! You break it down so well....can see why you’re Britain’s best journalist! Keep up the great work! Phil
'?..ordinary pain...' A Stevie Wonder song was the first time I heard that term. Fucking hurts. Empties my stomach and gives me the shudders whenever I notice it. Doesn't happen so much as I've been sober most of the last few years but it isn't something I hide anymore but I'm trying not to only tell my missus, doesn't seem right to treat her as a therapist! Thanks for your blogs.
the question mark is a typo.
Mike ‘IFS PLATINUM’ Goodill6 min ago
On the nose again Sam - I’ve had periods of burying my head in the sand during my life - I’m lucky enough to have an amazing wife who is good at pulling my head back out and making me open up -hitting 40 though; it’s like a weird Yoda thing - I feel wiser, more comfortable and confident as a person - I still get down but seem to know what works for me - comedy and music are great coping mechanisms as opposed to drink and iron filings, but nothing beats having someone who actually listens willingly to you - and I love offering that to people who don’t always have that outlet - being open, if only to just one person is such a powerful tool in life - thanks again Sam, keep it coming!
Loving these Sam . Keep it going xxx
Sam - Been really enjoying your articles and was going to comment on previous articles, however, this one really hit the spot. I have always had tough time with worry/anxiety but in more recent years also feeling really low and like you say just sad. I am of similar age to you and a West Ham fanatic (gotta be something in the West Ham thing hey?!) so I find what you say very relatable. It is the sadness which freaks me out as I don't feel in control of that, with the anxiety while a pretty shity feeling I can sort of see an end game in terms of dealing with it and I'm now see a therapist once a week, literally just to chat, it really does help. When I feel down I feel empty/vacant and completely devoid of any joy (even watching Ian Bishop West Ham goals does not help!) However, it is the guilt of feeling like this which really pushes it to another level. I beat myself up for feeling like shit as I what do I have to feel like shit about, got a wife, my daughter, a family home and steady (if tad dull) job?! Like you I find comfort in a bit of nostalgia, be it Star Wars, Carry on films, 90s West Ham and music (you get the drift). Finally before I bore you to death, I adore the podcasts be it TFTM or the movies one and also enjoy your appearances on Stop Hammer Time. Thanks for saying ok to feel sad. TTFN from a loyal Cunter COYI x
Quality this is thank you!
Nail on the head as always Sam, difficult shit this life stuff but your honesty and words help me make more sense of it. Big love and thanks mate x