The Support Network

I have been asked a lot lately from health care professionals, “Do you have a good support network?” Without hesitation my answer is always yes. In actual fact, my support network is not good, it is fantastic.

Having a support network is not just about people being there for you when you are feeling sad, or at your lowest, they are there for you in the good and the bad.

As fantastic as my support network is, I have still been failing to support myself properly. I have been dealing with a few different stressors. I live in a location that is supposed to be peaceful but I have not been taking full advantage of that. When it comes to mental health, one of the first things to look at is what environment you are in. That can be either work or home. What brings you peace? Is there too much noise and chaos in your life?

I grew up in Tasmanian, and I love the bushland. Where I live now is a bush town. Where I lived as a kid was bushland all behind us. I would walk 10mins up the hill and I was in the bush. Us local kids would get together and spend hours running around in the bushland playing games and building forts and cubby houses. There was even a pond where we would catch tadpoles.

In my teenage years I would often find myself in that bushland when I was upset. There were even rainy nights I would put a coat on and wander up there and find a place to sit and think in the rain.

Since my move to my current location, I have thought to myself every day, “I should go for a walk.” But most days I don’t, I find any number of excuses not to. I have taken the kids on walks and had them jumping in muddy puddles, but that was not for me. I love seeing and hearing them as they excitedly run through, and jump, in the muddy puddles. I wasn’t initially happy about letting them do it, but in recent years someone asked me, “Why not?” I had no real reason not to. Mud and water can be washed out. I haven’t had an issue with it since, and I have been encourage the kids to do it. For now, I still can’t seem to access my inner child and bring myself to do it. More rain is coming this week, so who knows?

After several days of doing things around my house, I found myself laying on the couch, listening to music and “Doom scrolling” social media. I had recently finished reading a book on why social media, and other distractions, are bad for our focus, so I got myself up and headed out the door for a walk.

Nearly 2hrs, and 9.11 kilometres later, I limped back through my front door. For the most part my walk was pretty good, but the last 2 or so kilometres my feet and muscles decided to cramp and did not want to work properly anymore. That is the down side to not taking care of yourself with regular exercises and stretching. I’ve always hated stretching. I know I need to do it now more than ever, but it’s something I am not used to. I know a friend who will probably read this and tell me, again, to join in her Yoga classes.

Tired and sore, I still felt good.

When I got to the halfway point, I just sat and listened. It was quiet and peaceful. There was no breeze blowing through the trees, just the occasional bird chirping.

The world is a crazy, fast paced, place. Everything and everyone is always on the go. Slowing down and stopping to take everything in, or enjoy a moment seems to almost be a thing of the past.

While I was siting on a rock enjoying the stillness, I looked over and saw a gumtree growing from the side of a rock. I looked at it and thought, “That’s how I feel, I am out on the ledge holding on, but still growing.”

As I was walking home, my thoughts wandered back to a few of the things I have been dealing with lately, and how wonderful it is to have the support network I do. I am extremely grateful for how I was raised, and for the family and friends I have.

A fantastic support network who are right beside me, and my children. Not in front, not behind, not trying to whisper and manipulate thoughts or ideas, or encourage poor attitudes and behaviours, but right beside us saying “You are not alone. You’ve got this and we are right here with you.”

If you don’t surround yourself with positive, encouraging, and supportive like-minded people, then you are not doing yourself or anyone else any favours.

Life is short, and should not be wasted on negativity, jealousy and resentment.

Find the positives in life, focus on them, and let the shit fall away.