Oh no mate! I’ve just looked up Spanish Flea on Spotify. That must have been a dark time for you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on mental health once more. I always find it helpful. Merry Christmas. x
Once again sam, superb words and really does help hearing it from a "proper person" who speaks a language I understand. Not had a great day today and this genuinely helped..cheers,
Beautifully written again, anxiety is a big thing for me and it’s good to know that there are so many others who live with that sense of dread on a daily basis. Really glad I can speak a bit more openly now when I’m having a bad day anxiety-wise, and you’ve been a help with that. Just Rest sam, from a fellow nutter.
I've just gone from regular IFS to platinum after reading this. This is the much needed support people need right now. It shows you are ok not to be normal or feel pressure to be.
Sam, this is incredibly well written and exceptionally impactful. I've shared with friends, family and my therapist. This,more than any other source I've read, truly and holistically encompasses what a great struggle dealing with these issues can be. I love the podcast but this transcends. Thank you 🙏
Brilliant read. Like everyone else on the comments this resonates so well. Learning to pretend to ok despite terrible anxiety caused me so much pain, especially as a teenager. Shared of being called a "pansy", to just pull myself together and stop whining. I just didn't talk about it. Instead I could barely eat and frequency vomited with stress. I eventually got help in my 30s and have got on top of things. Learning to say I'm struggling to someone was the hardest but most impactful thing I've ever done.
Cheers mate. Yep, massively liberating experience once you've admitted to feeling that way. The more you say it, the more you own it, the easier it becomes. I take the piss out of myself for it which I find strangely theraputic.
Thanks Michael, yes - pretending to be okay is something my therapist switched me onto and I realised I had been striving to do that since I was a small child. it is exhausting sometimes. Sometimes it is necessary too - you can't burden everyone all the time with your anxieties. But sometimes it is also important to just hold your hands up and say 'You know what lads, I am a bit fucked here.'
Excellent read again, Sam. You've got 10 years on me but the timeframe is similar - I probably started hitting walls about at about 15. Didn't realise it at the time. Once a diagnosis and knowledge came along eight years later I could trace it back and fill in the gaps.
I'm prone to using football analogies. Everyone is a bit mental. Capable of conceding. Some people inherit Baresi and Costacurta. All the quality you want, organised to fuck. Yeah they'll let a few by but never be overwhelmed, and it's a platform they can build on to get through life on 1-0.
Some of us - like me - get a pair of bombscare carthorses. Every time the ball's near the box there can be trouble. But with hard work and canny management you can get those donkeys to be greater than the sum of their parts.
Thankfully, today, we're getting better at realising (or admitting) that our defence is a bit shit. I wish I realised sooner but different times, different me. It's better late than never, and I'm still in the game!
A strong analogy Chris, thanks. There are some annoying things about getting older but realisation about stuff like this is a massive positive - so liberating to realise that these feelings are normal and that talking about them is fine.
Thanks Sam for another great newsletter. I sent you an email if you don’t read it that’s cool just being able to get a lot of my chest has helped me immensely. You should be very proud of what you are doing and how much a help you are being to folk like me. Keep being lucky and have a great New Year!
Thank you Sam. I've been through some bonkers times in the past and my dad is currently struggling with the loss of my nan after a hard year of shite. Reading your words let us all know we aren't alone and I can help my dad honestly without being patronising. Here's to you *raises Heineken zero* x
Oh no mate! I’ve just looked up Spanish Flea on Spotify. That must have been a dark time for you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on mental health once more. I always find it helpful. Merry Christmas. x
LOL, since writing this piece I have been struggling to forget that song all over again
Great stuff here
Thank you mate
Thank you Sam!
Once again sam, superb words and really does help hearing it from a "proper person" who speaks a language I understand. Not had a great day today and this genuinely helped..cheers,
Thanks Andy, appreciate the kind words - hope your days have improved a bit since Christmas Eve
Beautifully written again, anxiety is a big thing for me and it’s good to know that there are so many others who live with that sense of dread on a daily basis. Really glad I can speak a bit more openly now when I’m having a bad day anxiety-wise, and you’ve been a help with that. Just Rest sam, from a fellow nutter.
Nice one Dex, everyone is shitting themselves a little bit most days - those of us who can admit are, I think, the tougher ones
I've just gone from regular IFS to platinum after reading this. This is the much needed support people need right now. It shows you are ok not to be normal or feel pressure to be.
You have made a wise decision Nick - thanks for the support!
Sam, this is incredibly well written and exceptionally impactful. I've shared with friends, family and my therapist. This,more than any other source I've read, truly and holistically encompasses what a great struggle dealing with these issues can be. I love the podcast but this transcends. Thank you 🙏
Good man Ronnie, I am honoured mate. Life can be a struggle, you're right, but it can also be beautiful.
Brilliant read. Like everyone else on the comments this resonates so well. Learning to pretend to ok despite terrible anxiety caused me so much pain, especially as a teenager. Shared of being called a "pansy", to just pull myself together and stop whining. I just didn't talk about it. Instead I could barely eat and frequency vomited with stress. I eventually got help in my 30s and have got on top of things. Learning to say I'm struggling to someone was the hardest but most impactful thing I've ever done.
Cheers mate. Yep, massively liberating experience once you've admitted to feeling that way. The more you say it, the more you own it, the easier it becomes. I take the piss out of myself for it which I find strangely theraputic.
As a fellow nutter, from a family with mental health issues, your words are oddly soothing. Thanks.
Nice one Peter, glad you have been soothed
Love this again. Your writing is so accessible, relatable and funny. The “learnt to pretend to be okay” resonates massively
Keep up the amazing work and happy Christmas to you and yours Sam
Thanks Michael, yes - pretending to be okay is something my therapist switched me onto and I realised I had been striving to do that since I was a small child. it is exhausting sometimes. Sometimes it is necessary too - you can't burden everyone all the time with your anxieties. But sometimes it is also important to just hold your hands up and say 'You know what lads, I am a bit fucked here.'
Excellent read again, Sam. You've got 10 years on me but the timeframe is similar - I probably started hitting walls about at about 15. Didn't realise it at the time. Once a diagnosis and knowledge came along eight years later I could trace it back and fill in the gaps.
I'm prone to using football analogies. Everyone is a bit mental. Capable of conceding. Some people inherit Baresi and Costacurta. All the quality you want, organised to fuck. Yeah they'll let a few by but never be overwhelmed, and it's a platform they can build on to get through life on 1-0.
Some of us - like me - get a pair of bombscare carthorses. Every time the ball's near the box there can be trouble. But with hard work and canny management you can get those donkeys to be greater than the sum of their parts.
Thankfully, today, we're getting better at realising (or admitting) that our defence is a bit shit. I wish I realised sooner but different times, different me. It's better late than never, and I'm still in the game!
A strong analogy Chris, thanks. There are some annoying things about getting older but realisation about stuff like this is a massive positive - so liberating to realise that these feelings are normal and that talking about them is fine.
Brilliant stuff again Sam. Happy Christmas!
Cheers Nick, hope you've had a good one
Yes thanks Sam, hope you did too. Didn’t have a drink 👍🏻 Gelukkig nieuwejaar!
Thanks Sam for another great newsletter. I sent you an email if you don’t read it that’s cool just being able to get a lot of my chest has helped me immensely. You should be very proud of what you are doing and how much a help you are being to folk like me. Keep being lucky and have a great New Year!
Thank you Sam. I've been through some bonkers times in the past and my dad is currently struggling with the loss of my nan after a hard year of shite. Reading your words let us all know we aren't alone and I can help my dad honestly without being patronising. Here's to you *raises Heineken zero* x
Cheers Zoe, all the best to your dad and sorry to hear about your nan. Hope you've had a good Christmas
Thank you for these e-mails. Very, very relatable. Cheers Sam
Cheers Richard, glad to hear it. Happy new year.
Fantastic again mate! Have a fantastic Christmas!
Cheers Philip, hope you've been having a good Christmas