For those that questioned why I didn’t attend the game last Saturday, this was why. My daughter asked me to go to the Pride parade with her, have a few drinks, a meal, and generally have a catch up on her life and her website project. She doesn’t live with me so I don’t see her that often so face to face time is very valuable

I’ve highlighted one particular part of her social media post from today. That is a nod to WWays. She was stunned by the response from here. I thank all of you that contributed feedback once again for your support.......

 

 

As some of you may remember, a year ago I set up a website that allows people to submit and share their personal stories regarding mental health, encouraging people to use their voice and realise that they're not going through this alone.

The response I received was absolutely insane. That insane in fact, that I shut it down after a few months as I couldn't cope with managing the website alongside my own mental health.

But now I'm back 💥 I'm in a better place with my mental health, I'm currently in the process of purchasing my first home, and next week I start my dream job as a Teaching Assistant in a special educational needs school.

So I've decided to relaunch my project. A website where you can anonymously submit your mental health story, in the form of poetry, short stories, song lyrics, or simply anything that expresses you.

www.mindofourown.co.uk

Edited August 27, 20196 yr by MancWanderer

5 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Good to hear mounts. But whatever you do - and I am speaking from personal experience - DO NOT just stop taking them at some point, even if you feel the best you've ever felt.

I don’t plan to… I think in my case it’s the decrease of serotonin in my body that can occur as you get older that’s exacerbated my anxiety. 

Edited December 6, 2025Dec 6 by Mounts Kipper

One other thing that helped is regular long walks down the canal and gym, absolute blessing is our gym put an ice cold plunge in…. That’s unreal for mental health. 

5 hours ago, Mounts Kipper said:

I’m new to suffering from anxiety & stress, began about 18 months ago, work related, anyhow I basically hardly slept for 18 months, ended up wife had to sleep in the other bedroom as I was tossing & turning and cursing all night.

I hate taking medication so after seeing doctor she gave me some pills anyhow read the side effects and thought fuck that, carried on working through with little sleep luckily my job ain’t physical.

I spoke to a few people and read on here folk who recommended sertraline, looked into what it was and thought what it does makes sense and might help.

I am a couple of months in taking it and sleeping really well anxiety while not perfect is better, wife moved back in to the bedroom and things are much better.

Sertraline helps preserve the serotonin which is a big factor in sleep and mood.  Anyhow the upshot of 18 months anxiety is I’m 10kilos lighter🤣

Thought I’d share this as it might help some folk. Also I recommend this chap.

 https://nickwignall.com/morning-anxiety/

Great that mate.

Been on it for ages.

Unfortunately Mr Black dog has leapt up and bit me today. 

Time of year and all that, but a right whammy nonetheless. 

Father in law has been on his way out for a year, but hasn't helped himself, and is nasty to m-i-l.

Trying to help with his care, but when someone just can't be bothered, and puts loads of stress on everyone else, it takes its toll. 

Got that way now, that I wish he'd just go.

Shouldn't feel like that, but he's being a cunt.

My own man fought like fuck after his surgery caused an infection, but he maintained his humour and decency. Killed him after 3 months.

This mon just keeps going somehow, gets loads of care but just grumps at everyone. 

Doesn't realise how fortunate he is.

Cunt.

1 hour ago, Mounts Kipper said:

One other thing that helped is regular long walks down the canal and gym, absolute blessing is our gym put an ice cold plunge in…. That’s unreal for mental health. 

As much exposure to light as possible. 

Consider a lumie lamp of some type too.

Particularly in the morning, and at this time of year. 

2 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Great that mate.

Been on it for ages.

Unfortunately Mr Black dog has leapt up and bit me today. 

Time of year and all that, but a right whammy nonetheless. 

Father in law has been on his way out for a year, but hasn't helped himself, and is nasty to m-i-l.

Trying to help with his care, but when someone just can't be bothered, and puts loads of stress on everyone else, it takes its toll. 

Got that way now, that I wish he'd just go.

Shouldn't feel like that, but he's being a cunt.

My own man fought like fuck after his surgery caused an infection, but he maintained his humour and decency. Killed him after 3 months.

This mon just keeps going somehow, gets loads of care but just grumps at everyone. 

Doesn't realise how fortunate he is.

Cunt.

Thanks TMGJ sorry to hear about your problems, this weather doesn’t help nor the early night… I’m off to gym after Swindon game quick workout… sauna a cold plunge. 

On 06/12/2025 at 13:30, Cheese said:

Good to hear mounts. But whatever you do - and I am speaking from personal experience - DO NOT just stop taking them at some point, even if you feel the best you've ever felt. Coming off them needs to be properly controlled, as the withdrawal symptoms can be fucking mad.

This goes for Citalopram as well . Been on it for years , once went cold turkey for a month . The crash is your worst nightmare playing in your brain on fast forward on non stop repeat . Hallucinations both visual and audio but the worst was the false memories . Halfway thru called the lads up to say what a mad night that was last week , only for them to ask if I was alright as I hadnt been out in 2 months amongst many others . 

Strangely I was on 80mgs OD . The Over dose is 3,5 grammes . powerful little drug but the effects diminish over time . 

 

Also discovering white noise , and its variants , probably saved my life . 

I've always been a bit of a stickler for being on my own. Any day out or event I'll usually dart off even for just 20 mins just for a beer on my own.

Same on holiday, I have to get away in a morning for a run/walk/gym just to get my head together.

Trouble is it's creeping in even further, find it really hard sometimes to be extrovert in social environments. Met our kid on Saturday night for a quick hour on his works night out. Hated every second of it and could wait to get to a pint on my own

Anyone else have periods like this? 

I'm gonna end up living on an island on my own ha

39 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Anyone else have periods like this? 

I'm gonna end up living on an island on my own ha

Yep.

Generally prefer my own company to being in a group.

54 minutes ago, gonzo said:

I've always been a bit of a stickler for being on my own. Any day out or event I'll usually dart off even for just 20 mins just for a beer on my own.

Same on holiday, I have to get away in a morning for a run/walk/gym just to get my head together.

Trouble is it's creeping in even further, find it really hard sometimes to be extrovert in social environments. Met our kid on Saturday night for a quick hour on his works night out. Hated every second of it and could wait to get to a pint on my own

Anyone else have periods like this? 

I'm gonna end up living on an island on my own ha

Very relatable. I often do an Irish Goodbye when on a works do or similar social gathering - usually after a few hours when everyone is pissed and talking shite. Just mooch off to the train station and have a couple of pints on my own to unwind. Favourite bit of the night.

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

I've always been a bit of a stickler for being on my own. Any day out or event I'll usually dart off even for just 20 mins just for a beer on my own.

Same on holiday, I have to get away in a morning for a run/walk/gym just to get my head together.

Trouble is it's creeping in even further, find it really hard sometimes to be extrovert in social environments. Met our kid on Saturday night for a quick hour on his works night out. Hated every second of it and could wait to get to a pint on my own

Anyone else have periods like this? 

I'm gonna end up living on an island on my own ha

I'm the same

Would have said in my younger days I was a very social person but now im definitely happy just having a pint on my own 

Can find myself walking home and sometimes take a longer route so I can just listen to music or have a bit of me time 

😁

 

 

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

I've always been a bit of a stickler for being on my own. Any day out or event I'll usually dart off even for just 20 mins just for a beer on my own.

Same on holiday, I have to get away in a morning for a run/walk/gym just to get my head together.

Trouble is it's creeping in even further, find it really hard sometimes to be extrovert in social environments. Met our kid on Saturday night for a quick hour on his works night out. Hated every second of it and could wait to get to a pint on my own

Anyone else have periods like this? 

I'm gonna end up living on an island on my own ha

Absolutely love time away by myself. An hour in a cosy pub. Or better still a weekend up north somewhere. Won’t be getting that for a while.

 Things like stag weekends or a whole day at a wedding give me the fear.

Treat it as what you need mate - nothing wrong with needing time to recharge 

Just now, Cheese said:

😁

 

 

He’s fucking brilliant this guy

Just came up on my algorithm. They are listening

 

 

1 hour ago, Cheese said:

Very relatable. I often do an Irish Goodbye when on a works do or similar social gathering - usually after a few hours when everyone is pissed and talking shite. Just mooch off to the train station and have a couple of pints on my own to unwind. Favourite bit of the night.

Probably is for your colleagues as well 😄

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

I've always been a bit of a stickler for being on my own. Any day out or event I'll usually dart off even for just 20 mins just for a beer on my own.

Same on holiday, I have to get away in a morning for a run/walk/gym just to get my head together.

Trouble is it's creeping in even further, find it really hard sometimes to be extrovert in social environments. Met our kid on Saturday night for a quick hour on his works night out. Hated every second of it and could wait to get to a pint on my own

Anyone else have periods like this? 

I'm gonna end up living on an island on my own ha

I like my own company. Since I retired happy just doing my own thing. 

But I do not like just sitting in a pub on my own. The ideal for me is with 3 or 4 mates 
 

When we were in Europe I loved the away days but much preferred travelling on my own. Felt like herding cats at times. 

Probably worth adding that there could not be a bigger difference than being able to choose to spend time on your own and being on your own and feeling lonely.

Sure we have all been there at some point. 

don't mind my own company, live on my own for 15 years ish, loved it

used to enjoy having a drink and smoke and chilling just me

wouldn't go the pub on my own though

I only go to the pub alone nowadays ha

Love it. Why do I need real friends when I can sit and talk to you lot on here whilst supping my pint in peace

1 hour ago, gonzo said:

I only go to the pub alone nowadays ha

Love it. Why do I need real friends when I can sit and talk to you lot on here whilst supping my pint in peace

Fuck me pal, you must spit half of those pints out, when you read some of the shite we all post on here 🍻 👍 

On 15/12/2025 at 11:09, gonzo said:

I've always been a bit of a stickler for being on my own. Any day out or event I'll usually dart off even for just 20 mins just for a beer on my own.

Same on holiday, I have to get away in a morning for a run/walk/gym just to get my head together.

Trouble is it's creeping in even further, find it really hard sometimes to be extrovert in social environments. Met our kid on Saturday night for a quick hour on his works night out. Hated every second of it and could wait to get to a pint on my own

Anyone else have periods like this? 

I'm gonna end up living on an island on my own ha

I can relate to that . Somewhere on the planet there must be a spare acre of land with my name on it where me my border collie can see our days out. 

19 minutes ago, batton carrier said:

I can relate to that . Somewhere on the planet there must be a spare acre of land with my name on it where me my border collie can see our days out. 

Looked to be plenty of room on those beaches you posted pictures of, with you and the hound on.

Just declare an acre as independent from Scotland! 😀

1 minute ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Looked to be plenty of room on those beaches you posted pictures of, with you and the hound on.

Just declare an acre as independent from Scotland! 😀

Unfortunately its the first place the wife would look for me.

1 minute ago, batton carrier said:

Unfortunately its the first place the wife would look for me.

😁

You would have to make sure her passport was up to date, with a visa for "Batonland".

On 15/12/2025 at 11:09, gonzo said:

I've always been a bit of a stickler for being on my own. Any day out or event I'll usually dart off even for just 20 mins just for a beer on my own.

Same on holiday, I have to get away in a morning for a run/walk/gym just to get my head together.

Trouble is it's creeping in even further, find it really hard sometimes to be extrovert in social environments. Met our kid on Saturday night for a quick hour on his works night out. Hated every second of it and could wait to get to a pint on my own

Anyone else have periods like this? 

I'm gonna end up living on an island on my own ha

100%. I often find at say works dos, or a day/night out when loads of people are due to come, that the lone calm before the storm pint when I've turned up too early is blissful. Or there's times where a pub crawl will move on but I engineer not finishing in time so im left behind, or squeeze one in somewhere else catching everyone up.

Alone time is becoming more and more important, screen time staring at social media or a forum isn't really alone time because you're interacting in some way with other people. Sitting on your tod, either at home or in somewhere like a pub, or a cafe, or a park, or even just walking through a town centre on your bill, just gives you a break