The CP Diary is coming up to 14 years in May 2024. The blog I started 14 years ago – isn't the blog I'm working on today. A lot has happened, there are a lot of changes I'm having to get past – to navigate – the politics, Brexit, Covid-19, the loss of my twin – every day life has become more of a challenge.
Mental health is being ignored for the most part – like it's happening to a prototype of us, not us – that if we ignore it, it will go away – and we will be okay. Mental health doesn't care whose health, or life it claims.
I've learned a lot over the years
Through my writing, I have learned a lot over the years about myself, about how to navigate life with a mental disability – there's still more I am having to learn about, the obstacles I am made to overcome obstacles. With autism, I lose.
My commitment has remained constant
But the one thing that has remained constant throughout these 14-years, is my commitment to sharing my experiences and insights with others. I may not always have all the answers, but I believe that by being open and honest about my struggles and any victories that come my way, I can help inspire others to keep pushing forward in their own journeys.
You have to put the time in for 'Mental Health'
But you have to put the time in to work on your 'mental health' to read my blogs; to be proactive, to break the old patterns, respond differently, so you are living a different life.
The CP Diary Platform
While the content of my blog may have evolved over the years to keep pace with topics that inform, my mission remains the same – to provide a platform for people to connect, to support and to share. Six years into my blog and the UK called time on its relationship with the EU – attitudes changed overnight and responses on my site stopped. There have been too many changes to deal with in the world; and as a result our needs have changed.
While it's not always easy to write about politics or the changes we have to adapt to, I hope through my writing, you can see and understand with clarity what those changes are. The Conservative Party in Government in the UK, isn't the party it was, its new right-wing values are not the values I grew up with. As for my writing, no matter the topic, I hope it goes some way to inform.
As for my diary, here's to many more years of The CP Diary and the meaningful conversations it brings.
The world we now live in would have been unimaginable 14 years ago: a pandemic, political, social and economic upheaval, and another war in Europe. It's not surprising our mental health is at an all time low in these unprecedented times.
But in the depths of these dark, dark times we all have the beacon of light and positivity that is The CP Diary to hold our hand while we navigate the path towards better mental health. You have shown us all how we can overcome the difficulties of our lives and make strides in positivity.
I am grateful for the daily commitment, insight and support your website gives me. We should all be joining in the conversation here, so that we can move forward as a community.
Thank you, I appreciate your comments. Yes, these are incredibly dark times, I feel really lucky to be able to write. It feels like yesterday that I first picked up a pen to write my first blog.
Mental health only works if we work. Mental health is something we have to continue with, not something to pick up once and then ignore.
I have always dealt with mental health issues, even far back as a child. It's a lifestyle choice. It's important to put in the time and the effort, to explore and continue to explore what we think and how we feel.
Mental health can change at any time, when without warning it can invite illness in. Mental health runs in families. If your parents deal with anxiety and depression, it's something you will get to deal with.
Mental health issues if not addressed can cause erratic behaviour.