In your head.

It’s no secret that I like to talk, before I had to pack up due to my legs not working, I made money by waffling crap as a tour guide, so it’s seems natural that I should add to my blog by starting a podcast. The idea would never have entered my head had someone not suggested it to me and I have to be honest, didn’t have much idea of what one really is and actually still don’t. I won’t lie, the research and getting ready for it hasn’t been easy but I realise from talking to people that anything to do with wellbeing issues are important to many, especially if it concerns mental health. Until now I’d never considered that what I write address’s those issues as well, but I now understand that it’s a huge part of what I’m doing. I also understand that it’s quite a serious subject and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly or have fun poked at it, but maybe that’s what it needs? I don’t intend to make jokes regarding mental health, but it really got me thinking about my own issues, like everyone I have problems and it’s how you overcome them, or rather what tool you use to help that makes the difference. Humour has always been a big part of my life, I try to see the funny side of most most things, even when I’m moaning, which I do a lot, there’s usually a light side at the end of my rant.

I am fully aware that there is not one fix all solution for everybody, but if people started to find a bit of joy in the misery they’re going through, I think it would help, again, I know it’s easier said than done and the last thing I want to be is patronising, but I’ve decided that this is what my podcast is going to be about. Yes documenting my weight loss journey, but also trying to help anyone struggling not only with physical problems, but mental ones as well. Not so long ago, people were told that it was all in their head, which of course it is, but that dismissive comment was almost saying, just get on with it and don’t bother me. Mental health issues have always been around, but not recognised. Some of the most harrowing stories come from world war one, with soldiers suffering from shell shock being executed by firing squad for refusing to fight, not realising they had severe depression, while the second world war brought the same to ordinary citizens with the blitz. My son was discussing the other day the horrors people faced in the air raid shelters after visiting a museum with my granddaughter. She was clearly pondering how bad it had been and started asking questions, I knew a bit about it because my dad had been a child in an industrial town, which suffered many bombing raids. Looking to lighten the story I told her that once when dashing to the shelter his dad had said to his mother that he had left his false teeth on the table, “Just get in the shelter” she said, “They’re dropping bombs, not ham sandwiches”.

It made my granddaughter smile and that, is the point.