What Katy Writes

  A few things have been making me really angry and upset lately.  As usual, to do with such a large percentage of people's opinions on mental health and the stigma that is STILL attached to it.  I know things are much more readily talked about and acknowledged these days; we aren't just thrown into asylums or hidden away because of "nervous breakdowns", but far out, there is still so much education that needs to happen and even the smallest amount of empathy from some people would be nice. A number of people have said to me that "mental health issues seem to be a fad - everyone has something wrong with them just to fit in".  Needless to say, that comment did not go down well with me.  "People are just looking for attention" - once again, this makes me incredibly angry, and even if this WAS the case with some people, that's still a cry for help.  People need to be taken seriously.  People need to feel supported and loved, not judged....

Well, my first week back at work is over and I can't believe how much I enjoyed it.  When I was pregnant, I was so sure that I would never want to go back to work again, I was certain that being a full-time stay-at-home Mum was my calling... maybe not! (Definitely not...) Everything seems so much clearer.  We can save money again. We can buy things we want, not just need, again. We can start paying extra off the mortgage.  I can breathe.  I can feel productive and appreciated and socially capable with my anxiety kept at bay.  My agoraphobia seems to be entirely related to going anywhere public with Isaac.  Walking into work on Monday morning honestly felt like a giant weight was lifted off my shoulders.  My wonderful colleagues both in my office and across Australia (my team is spread all over the country, I am the only one in Tassie but get to work with some amazing people in person who work in different departments), have made me fee...