Ladies! Let's TALK!

I don't know about you, but these past months have taken a toll on my physical and mental health.

I started my lockdown in self isolation, being ill and still dealing with the grief, self-doubt and the blow to my self-esteem that are just some of the side effects of the breakdown of a marriage. Someone said in a group I attend – it's like loosing a parent but no body died!

But that’s another much longer story.

Yet I made up my mind to be disciplined, to write in gratitude, to do my salutations to the sun, to go for my daily walk, to prepare healthy meals, to pace myself with my work, and to limit my exposure to soul destroying news and social media.

And all was well for weeks.

But as the news got sadder, each day I felt lonelier and more lost.

Gradually, I’d notice the once steadfast self-discipline ebbing (some days good, some days bad). I was reading less and consuming Netflix like a drug. Sleeping patterns became irregular and erratic with some days not going to sleep at all.

From having a splendid record of eating well, suddenly – was it sudden or gradual? - there were more “couch potato” days with sugary sweets, crisps and an increasing intake of wine.

I bounced between feeling anxious, concerned about the world, my health, my family, uncertainty about the business and where I would be living, to days of complexly slovenly abandon which seemed to help to drown out the noise.

Thank goodness for friends, support groups and for my hour a week in phone counselling.

This is a little of my story. What is yours?

We recognise that so many women are particularly vulnerable during lock-down, especially those with learning needs, physical or sensory disabilities or mental health issues, all of which have been exacerbated thought this pandemic and the more recently racially motivated killings.

We cannot alone change to world, but together we can make sure we’re in better shape to take care of ourselves and as we grow in strength take on the issues, we are passionate about.

If you are in a similar boat and want to: