Afraid to Open Up to Those Close to Me

This post will be a free-flow way for me to disseminate my thoughts, as I have little idea what the end conclusion will be.

Since writing my last post There Is More To My Story, I have been thinking about my relationships with the people close to me, specifically, what I choose to reveal to them. I was also chatting with another blogger, Fictionatrix, in response to her post Late Night Thoughts – Who Am I? Some of her words struck a chord with what was going through my mind.

As mentioned in my last post, I just got a new set of tattoos. They are on my wrists, so they are quite visible, and I not one with a lot of tattoos. I’ve got a large one on my back, that’s it, but people don’t tend to see it. Hardly anyone in my support network have tattoos, and I know that they will ask me what my tattoo means. The tattoos aren’t “pretty” or superficial, and those close to me will know that there is some significance to me. I tend not to do things lightly. I don’t want to lie or give a half-truth in reply. I care and respect them and it would make me feel incongruent. I am feeling fear and shame right now.

There is a certain freedom with writing a personal blog. I can write what ever I want, be raw, be imperfect, and without the risk of worried and concerned looks from the ones that I love. Only very close friends know of my blog, sometimes even read it. My family knows that I blog (if they even know what that is) but they don’t know the site address. But even with my friends that read my blog, I only sometimes tell them the full depth of my thoughts. Continue reading

Mental Illness & Suicide Prevention Help

Feeling distressed? If you’re going through a difficult time, it is important (and OK) to ask for help. Australians experiencing personal/emotional crises, or at risk of suicide, can call LifeLine on 13 11 14 , to speak to someone confidentially, without judgement and free-of-charge. Men wishing to talk about their personal emotional problems may wish to call MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78,  while younger Australians may find the resources at www.reachout.com helpful. LGBTQI people may find QLife helpful on 1800 184 527.

Almost every country has a similar suicide prevention number. Just Google “suicide help line” and your country.

Similar crisis helplines are available in other countries:

New Zealand: Lifeline 0800 4543 354

United Kingdom: The Samaritans 08457 909090

United States (and Canada): National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1800 273 8255 

US LGBTQ Youth (the Trevor Project): 1866 488 7386

Republic of Ireland: The Samaritans 116 123