"Reaching out for help"

This is my story. Where do I start? Well, going on 3 years ago I separated from my ex partner, it was a difficult relationship to say the best. I felt lost and useless, for so many years I had been told I could not do anything right. I got used to being insulted in public, belittled for how I was not good enough in his eyes. I started to believe all the things he was saying about me. I just stopped doing everything I liked and spent my time trying to keep him and family members happy. I basically lost me, the person I was.

Eventually 3 years ago I was free, I was starting to find myself again, it was difficult as every time I went to do something I could hear his voice in my mind saying  'you cant do this or that, you always do it wrong'. But I was getting there, struggle and all I was trying. Then family problems arose, on top of problems I was having in my life. It seamed no matter what I did I could not do enough for anyone.

Last New Years eve I reached rock bottom, I could not go on, I could not see a light at the end of the tunnel, I just had nothing left to give. I ended up reaching out for help, my doctor referred me to The Steps to Wellness programme. It was the best thing to happen to me.

The programme and its facilitators showed me how to look at my life and problems in a different way. It taught me how to realise that some of the problems I had were not mine, it also taught me that I need to look after my health first before trying to help others. For the first time in my life I was told that putting me first was not selfish. That looking after not just my physical health but my mental health was a priority.

I can’t say that it’s a miracle cure and that everything changed over night. But it is a work in progress, I have the tools now to help me going forward, I need to put the work in and keep using the tools that I have been given.

I now have a new lease on life, no it’s not perfect but I am so much better now than I was back on New Years Eve 2024. It’s also good to know that should I need more support the Steps to Wellness team will be there for me.

Please if you need help reach out, the team are great and so supportive, do not let yourself get to the stage I did.