Faith’s Guide

Transitioning Into Fall

It’s that time of year when our feed is full of ‘fall outfit inspiration’, ‘transitional pieces’, ‘fall essentials’, and so on.

Fall or autumn as we call it here in the UK is one of my favourite seasons.  I love the richness of fall colours, the warmer tones, and pallets we add to our wardrobe.  I like the brown, oranges and deep shades of yellow leaves that decorate the ground.  I particularly like the early days and weeks of autumn.  We get the odd sunny day where we can leave the house with sunnies on, a small jacket and a scarf and we’ll be okay.

Recently, I’ve been talking to a lot of students new to my local church and the city and it’s made me think a lot about transitions.

  • Being new to a city

  • New to living alone

  • New jobs

  • New relationships

Transition is an expected feature of life, but it doesn’t take away that it can be scary and anxiety provoking.

I’ve had to deal with my fair share of transitions, and I wanted to share a few tips that have helped me – hoping they help you.

1.   Establish a routine as soon as you can

Routine introduces order and gives you a sense of stability.  This is particularly important when you’re in a new space and things feel uncertain and unpredictable.

Make your routine REALISTIC.   Starting off small and when you have a good rhythm going then you

Easing yourself into this new routine by starting off small. Small, manageable steps are usually easier to implement and keep up. Consistency is key!  Once you have established a good rhythm you can think about building up your routine.

Also, make sure you are scheduling in nice things.  I know this isn’t a Bible scripture but ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’.

2.  Make schedule time daily to pray and read The Word

(This probably should have been number one but)

Seeking God daily, spending time in His Word, and conversing with Him regularly is essential to us functioning effectively.

I like to see the Word of God literally as food.  In some ways it helps me stay on track and encourages me to read the Word. When I go a few days without reading my Bible I ask myself would I really go without food for days?  Probably not, therefore why am I starving myself of Godly food and His presence?

3.  Join a local church and attend a house group

This is especially important if you find yourself in a new city, country, town, or new geographic place.

It’s a good way to make friends and be part of a community of like-minded people. If you’re struggling with making time for God during the week, this at least guarantees that you have designated time to spend with God and other believers.

4. Rest in Him and His Grace!

 

The thing about transitions is that it doesn’t mean the core of you changes.  Think about it like this, in autumn we layer up with scarves, wear coats etc.  We do this as a way of adapting to the conditions of our environment.  We adapt to the season, by changing what we wear, so that we can survive, cope, and ultimately thrive.  Transitions in some way is similar.  The core of us does not change, however, it’s an opportunity to increase our capacity, grow to thrive in the next season.

Whatever your transition – starting school, a new job, moving countries, starting on a journey of motherhood or marriage, be confident that God’s grace is more than sufficient for this transition the next season of your life and beyond!

I’d love to know if you do something in particular to help you adjust to change?

With love,

Faith xox

World MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2017

In light of it being World Mental Health day, it only seems right that I dedicate this post to a topic I am very passionate about: Mental Health. 

This year’s theme is: ‘Mental Health In The Workplace’, which is great because for many of us our working hours make up most of our week, and most of our adult life.  So difficulties in the workplace could very well have an impact on our mental wellbeing, and similarly stressors in life, can impact our mental wellbeing.

I’m sure most of us are aware of the statistics that ‘1 in 4 people  in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives’ (WHO, 2001) . UK stats suggest 1 in 4 will experience a mental health problem each year, and in England 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week. And if we take a step back again, international  stats suggest that more than 300 million people suffer from depression, which is one of the leading cause of disability worldwide.  And more than 260 million are living with anxiety disorders. 

‘1 in 4’ means this is a lot closer to home than we think, it could be you or me, in a group of four, one of us is bound to experience a mental health difficulty.

Despite the prevalence of mental health difficulties in our communities, ‘mental health’, ‘depression’, ‘anxiety’, suicide’ are still considered dirty words that shouldn’t be said aloud or shared in public.  If they are shared, the sharer runs the risk of being shunned. Ostracised. Marginalised. Ignored. Labelled: Mad, Crazy, Psycho. Why?  Because  mental health issues is a private affair, not to be discussed in public.  

It’s funny how differently mental and physical illnesses are treated. 

 We can empathise with someone who has sustained a physical injury or has been diagnosed with a physical medical issue. If I broke my arm or  suffered third degree burns I would have a rally of support from professionals as well as family and friends. Sadly, the story changes as soon as we mention mental health; alarm bells raise, barriers come up, defences are on full blast, employers are not empathic or understanding. We distance ourselves. We don’t understand. We don’t want to understand. Out come comments of judgement, condemnation, blame, which breed feelings of shame, embarrassment and guilt. 

For a moment I want us to put labels, diagnosis and stats in the bottom drawer of the cabinet. Because behind these labels, challenges and difficulties are people. People just like you and me. People who are going through a tough time. Many who feel ashamed to talk about it, sad, scared and alone.

I don’t know many people who would want to wake up with thoughts of suicide and self harm. Do you? 

Or people who desire to think life is not worth living?

Or do you know anyone who would want to feel so on edge and panicked they are not able to carry out their daily activities?

I think I can confidently speak for those of us that have felt really low, or  experienced periods of extreme anxiety so much so that our lives came to a halt…I’m pretty sure we did not want to feel like that or go through those times.

Yet when people feel like this we tend to blame them. When people pluck up the courage to share how they feel, we dismiss it, shut them down,  or tell them to get over it.

I for one am not over it, because:

Mental Health issues are real!

Depression is real!

Anxiety is real!

It exists in every society and culture.

Oh and guess what it even exists in the Christian community! 

It may be called different things but I guarantee you it exists! 

Let’s think how we would like to be treated if we were going through challenges or periods of distress…this should guide how we  treat others.

“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

(Luke 6:31)

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

 (John 15:12)

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” 

(Matthew 7:12)

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  “(Philippians 2:4)

 

So in line with this years theme; let’s look after ourselves, and each other. 

Let us not just speak about our challenges, or mental health issues amongst our friends and family, BUT let’s take these discussions to our workplace, social settings and schools.

Let us not only continue talking about it, let’s embrace those dealing with challenges by providing a safe, non-judgemental space for them to talk and just be.

Before I close, I thought I would share some symptoms to look out for: 

Depression:

Anxiety:

 

Also, know YOUR personal triggers. Have you noticed a change in your mood, appetite, daily routine, bodily symptoms?  These could be indicators of stress and challenges.  Are you or have you gone through a particularly rough time? 

If you are struggling with low mood, or feelings of anxiety and distress, please talk to someone.

Trust me, there are people out there who care and WANT to help!

You can:

Talk to your GP,

Family, friends, colleagues you trust

There are also services you can contact for support such as:

The Samaritans:

UK – 116 123

In the Republic of Ireland: 116 123 (free to call)

https://www.samaritans.org

 MIND

Infoline provides information on a range of topics including:

  • types of mental health problems
  • where to get help
  • medication and alternative treatments
  • advocacy.

0300 123 3393

Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays).

[email protected]

 

SANE:

0300 304 7000 (Open every day of the year from 4:30pm to 10:30pm).

http://www.sane.org.uk/home

 

For urgent medical attention, your options are Accident & Emergency (A&E) and Emergency GP appointments.

For urgent medical advice you can call the NHS 111 (England) or NHS Direct (Wales).

 Please look after yourself and do not be ashamed to reach out for help if you are struggling.  

 

In truth and with love,

Faith xox

Faith’s Guide