Oh Sam, this was the first thing I read this morning, with my cuppa, and I cracked up! Thanks for starting my day laughing!
You forgot to mention you and Alan are both funny as!
Two days ago I sent a pm to someone who was struggling. A couple of hours later she posted a meme that had almost identical words to my message. I thought, have I become a meme or does she/others think I get words of wisdom from memes?
I hear losers are the new winners! Keep on losing at life x
We definitely all have a bit of Alan hidden in us somewhere...the difference is some people recognise it, and others are completely oblivious! If it gets people talking, can only be a good thing! (im off to burn my Rupert the Bear trousers)
I, for one, am glad you're wanging on about mental health Sam, I have enough male friends, our age, who could be considered to be struggling - I've signposted your work to at least one of them - it's really useful. It does help that you're kind of funny tbf, in case that helps.
Lovely stuff. Not my words Sam, the words of Shakin’ Stevens.
100% resonate with the self-consciousness that you never really shake when you decide to be vulnerable. I make a living out of being an ‘open book’, but am often either panicking about being a snake oil salesman or cringing at what others might perceive as a lack of self-awareness and humility.
I actually think that after the initial catharsis of opening up and gaining confidence in sharing your story, sometimes it can get harder again after a while as you start to worry that you’re boring or overdoing it.
You’re right though - it’s about getting back to how you first felt when you saw someone talk about this stuff and if you are able to do that for someone else in any meaningful way, it’s worth feeling a bit Partridge 👍
A really good read. I must be honest, I did make this connection myself - not the loser bits, but the use of your platform to raise awareness. Ultimately I think the more people with any sort of profile who raise awareness of things like this can only be a good thing. You aren’t a snake oil salesman, grifting a cure-all to make a quick buck, so play on.
NB: I may revise this opinion the next time you say anything unkind about Sheffield United!
Life is full of spectrums and we all have a bit of Alan/ Lampard/ ADHD/ Autism/ within us - it’s recognising it and a bit of self depreciation alongside self respect that keeps your head above water - I have been known to be a bit of a self serving twat On occasion but mainly I’m regarded as a decent caring and generous person - aha!
Simply put your sharing on TFTM (a mental health podcast by stealth) helped me quit drinking, it’s the biggest compliment I can give you for all that you’ve done in the arena of mental health. Needless to say Sam, you’ve had the last laugh.
Keep it up Sam, as an under-employed journalist who has been through some rough mental health moments in the last decade or so, your podding, writing, and general outlook on life has been immensely valuable to me and I'm sure many others. The 'just rest' lifestyle has been one I've tried to lean into, and it's been a relief to realise the grind isn't the thing to bring you contentment. Thanks for everything!
Oh Sam, this was the first thing I read this morning, with my cuppa, and I cracked up! Thanks for starting my day laughing!
You forgot to mention you and Alan are both funny as!
Two days ago I sent a pm to someone who was struggling. A couple of hours later she posted a meme that had almost identical words to my message. I thought, have I become a meme or does she/others think I get words of wisdom from memes?
I hear losers are the new winners! Keep on losing at life x
We definitely all have a bit of Alan hidden in us somewhere...the difference is some people recognise it, and others are completely oblivious! If it gets people talking, can only be a good thing! (im off to burn my Rupert the Bear trousers)
I, for one, am glad you're wanging on about mental health Sam, I have enough male friends, our age, who could be considered to be struggling - I've signposted your work to at least one of them - it's really useful. It does help that you're kind of funny tbf, in case that helps.
Thanks Hannah x
Lovely stuff. Not my words Sam, the words of Shakin’ Stevens.
100% resonate with the self-consciousness that you never really shake when you decide to be vulnerable. I make a living out of being an ‘open book’, but am often either panicking about being a snake oil salesman or cringing at what others might perceive as a lack of self-awareness and humility.
I actually think that after the initial catharsis of opening up and gaining confidence in sharing your story, sometimes it can get harder again after a while as you start to worry that you’re boring or overdoing it.
You’re right though - it’s about getting back to how you first felt when you saw someone talk about this stuff and if you are able to do that for someone else in any meaningful way, it’s worth feeling a bit Partridge 👍
Cheers Mike
A really good read. I must be honest, I did make this connection myself - not the loser bits, but the use of your platform to raise awareness. Ultimately I think the more people with any sort of profile who raise awareness of things like this can only be a good thing. You aren’t a snake oil salesman, grifting a cure-all to make a quick buck, so play on.
NB: I may revise this opinion the next time you say anything unkind about Sheffield United!
Life is full of spectrums and we all have a bit of Alan/ Lampard/ ADHD/ Autism/ within us - it’s recognising it and a bit of self depreciation alongside self respect that keeps your head above water - I have been known to be a bit of a self serving twat On occasion but mainly I’m regarded as a decent caring and generous person - aha!
Aha! Chin up, the whole bit with Partridge is he doesn’t know he’s Partridge, you’ve got that over him x
Simply put your sharing on TFTM (a mental health podcast by stealth) helped me quit drinking, it’s the biggest compliment I can give you for all that you’ve done in the arena of mental health. Needless to say Sam, you’ve had the last laugh.
.... Can't see Alan doing a podcast with Andy though !!!
Keep on doing what you do. You're doing a great job at raising awareness around mental health which can never be done too much xx
Keep it up Sam, as an under-employed journalist who has been through some rough mental health moments in the last decade or so, your podding, writing, and general outlook on life has been immensely valuable to me and I'm sure many others. The 'just rest' lifestyle has been one I've tried to lean into, and it's been a relief to realise the grind isn't the thing to bring you contentment. Thanks for everything!