Quick note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links; if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and think would be useful for other people.
#PR #AFF – I was provided with access to the membership in exchange for my honest review of my experience
Before I started my first blog, I was active on social media and found connections with other like minded bloggers really quickly. My attendance at the Mental Health Blog Awards gave me the confidence to launch my blog. Fast forward 10 months and I am now a speaker and nominee for this year’s awards.
None of this would be possible without the amazing, supportive blogging community on Twitter. We are that close knit, I can post an update about my blog and I know it will be viewed, almost immediately. Given my blogging backstory, I believe community is vital to success. Sharing your creative thoughts with other like minded people is really what life is all about.
I took on board suggestions on how to engage my audience and was given ideas for new creative ways to get the word out about my writing. Something I need right now because I am currently at the stage where levelling up is the next option. These posts allowed me to brainstorm my next move.
Supporting other bloggers
Therefore when I was asked to review The Content Chest, Izzy’s new membership platform, I jumped at the chance. And even though illness set me back a few weeks recently and blogging tasks were mounting up, I am thrilled this was one of the tasks on the list. I am currently smiling whilst writing this.
Izzy is someone I’ve had a connection with for a while. She is so supportive. I’ve won a few of her competitions and always love my interactions with her. I feel honoured to be asked to review her next creative project.
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The charm of an online membership community
Whilst I love Twitter, we don’t control the platform. And dreaded algorithm hides our Tweets. I find when I email other bloggers directly, it’s lovely and refreshing to chat one on one. This is the same charm you get in an online community. Fewer people who all have the same interests and assurance your voice will be heard.
The content chest – my review
I started my membership on 23 April 2022. The posts on the platform are so motivational, easy to read and packed full of useful information. A theme which runs throughout all of Izzy’s posts.
The topics you get are a mix of blogging support, together with light hearted content about K-pop.
1. What was your biggest learning/takeaway from the membership?
The questions and prompts within each post got me thinking about my blog. I took on board suggestions on how to engage my audience and was given ideas for new creative ways to get the word out about my writing. Something I need right now because I am currently at the stage where levelling up is the next option. These posts allowed me to brainstorm my next move.
2. What are your favourite features?
My comments on Izzy’s blog posts go like this “I’m so intrigued by K-pop and K-dramas but it isn’t something I’ve explored“. Well, I’m now sitting here watching K-dramas on YouTube. And she’s right, they are funny, light hearted and bring about a sense of joy in your life.
3. What did you like about the community?
I love the instructions on using the community and an update about different membership packages and topics available. It was also great to get an email reminder I can refer back to, each time a new post was released. Us bloggers are busy and email reminders I can mark for later make me happy. When I sit down on my blogging days, I can then just search the saved emails and crack on.
Before joining the membership I was curious, but after I feel empowered
5. Did the membership meet your expectations?
Yes. It’s easy to navigate and puts a smile on my face. Sometimes as a blogger, you need others to lift you and remind you what’s important. Izzy does this! Remember that bloggers don’t have a colleague sitting next to them to show support. It can be lonely and it’s the reason the community support is so powerful and means so much.
6. What can be improved from the membership?
So far I love everything about the membership and can’t think of anything which needs to be improved.
7. Any other features you wish were a part of the membership?
No. But I am looking forward to seeing what Izzy decides to add.
8. What do you think of the pricing?
For the level of content you get, helpful information and all important community, I think the pricing for my package was worth it.
Ready to sign up?
(AFF) – Sign up to The Content Chest using code: MUMMYCONQUERINGANXIETY and you will receive 20% off your first month! To access The Content Chest, click here.
SPOILER ALERT – at the end of this post there will be a 15% discount code for any purchases of this unique and quirky product
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Why I love unique and quirky gifts
If you follow my blog, you will know I love purchasing unique gifts nobody else would think of buying. When I saw this brand and the product they were offering, I was instantly attracted to it as something I would purchase for a loved one.
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Read on for another huge surprise at the end of this post
A bit about Do Us A Ditty
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Professional personalised poems in a heartfelt and witty style that make for great one-of-a-kind gifts for the special people in your life. Suitable for all occasions, from birthdays and anniversaries to weddings and events, the company produces customised rhymes that can be printed and framed, written on cards or used as invitations and wedding favours.
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Amber from Lady Boss Nomad, is not only my advertiser for this month. But she has also provided me with an amazing guest post and a useful anxiety workbook for my readers to download.
She has also supported my blogging journey in many other ways and is a true inspiration.
Having owned a successful service-based bookkeeping business and starting as a small business owner running my bricks and mortar greeting card business on Etsy I know a few tricks of the trade. I’m a smart savvy business owner with a creative edge. I can help you with your product creation through to launch, list building and marketing of your new products. If you’re service-based I can help you set up systems to attract the right clients.
Please also check out Amber’s other blog.
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Blog posts you should check out
Self Discovery Through Journaling is the Key to a Fulfilled Life
Guest blog post: brought to you by Amber Louise of the Lady Boss Nomad blog
Some of the links contained on this page are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. I only recommend products I use myself and thinkwould be useful for you.
One of the greatest lies we tell ourselves is that we’re stuck in a rut. However, did you know it’s not only possible to change your situation but to also change yourself too?
The mind is a powerful thing. It can be our greatest ally or our biggest enemy. The key to reinventing yourself is to gain control over the mind and start living the life you want to live. One way you can do this is by keeping a journal.
Since my mid-teens, I have kept some form of a journal whether it be an art journal, a diary or a bullet journal. Now I keep a journal for creative brainstorming in both my business and personal life and I keep an A5 journal for all my mixed media art.
being 100% honest about your thoughts and feelings can be difficult to start with. You need to remember that your journal is a safe place. It’s a non-judgmental space which enables you to say exactly how you feel with no repercussions or judgements.
It’s a wonderful outlet especially for me as I suffer from GAD or Generalised Anxiety Disorder but, the high functioning kind which can easily go undetected by others. So you see it’s extremely important for me to have a creative and reflective outlet as a busy boss lady that runs her blog.
Here in this post, I want to share with you my best tips for creating a daily journal practice that can reduce your anxiety and stress. These are life-saving tips that can improve your whole mindset and is a form of self CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy technique.
Tip number 1: Choose the right journal for yourself
Ok, so this one may sound a little silly, but the journal you choose can have a significant impact on how effective it is. Your journal is supposed to inspire and motivate you to use it. So, if you don’t love it, you’re not going to feel very inspired.
Take your time to choose the right journal. Think about its design and how the pages are set out. Do you love it? Can you see yourself writing in it every day? It may sound a little ridiculous, but the right journal will pick you.
Tip number 2: Start by writing about the things you’re grateful for
Once you’ve got the right journal, figuring out how to start it can be pretty tough. So, if you’re struggling, start by writing a list of the things you’re grateful for. This can either be done first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening. There are advantages to doing it during both times, so it’s all about what works for you.
All too often, we spend most of our time focusing on the things we don’t have or the things we wish we had. This makes us forget about the positive things we do have. Journaling helps you to focus on the positive things in the here and now, rather than wasting time and energy wishing for something more.
So how can this help you to reinvent yourself? Well, the more positive you are, the easier you’ll find it to make a change. It’s often our negativity which sets us back in life so anything which makes us more positive can help us to reinvent ourselves.
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Tip number 3: Be absolutely honest in your journal
Journaling isn’t going to help you if you aren’t 100% honest. The trouble is, you may find you spend so much time hiding how you feel, that being 100% honest about your thoughts and feelings can be difficult to start with. You need to remember that your journal is a safe place. It’s a non-judgmental space which enables you to say exactly how you feel with no repercussions or judgements.
Once you’re honest about your thoughts and feelings and what you want from life, you’ll be able to see what you need to do to change.
Tip number 4: Write down your biggest goals
Use the journal to write down what it is you want to achieve. This can be done in the form of short term and long-term goals. It’s important to see the big picture. Where do you want to be in 3-5 years and how could you potentially get there?
Writing down your goals and identifying the steps you need to take to make a change, will help massively.
Tip number 5: Make it a daily routine if you can
It’s important to use your journal daily. Set up a daily routine where you write in your journal at a specific time. Once you’ve gotten used to writing in the journal, it will become an automatic habit you carry out each day.
As with anything, to reinvent yourself, you need to be persistent and committed. So, be sure to write in your journal every single day.
Summary
These are just 5 ways that you can reduce your anxiety daily through journaling practice. The more you do it, the more chances you’ll start to see – both in how you feel and how you act. I am 100% certain that a journal will help you to reduce your stress and anxiety if you make it part of your daily routine.
It can also improve your focus and generate creative brainstorming which is crucial for busy CEOs and boss ladies. Often I will use my journal to brainstorm blog post ideas or even a whole product launch. If you too a busy boss lady who has high functioning anxiety then definitely give this a try. Other ways you can use your journal are brainstorming recipes or jotting down positive affirmations. I just know you’ll love this practice as much as I do!
Amber Louise is the busy CEO and Founder of the Lady Boss Nomad. She inspires women with useful tips, resources, motivation & encouragement to help their digital businesses thrive. She helps female entrepreneurs launch a digital businesses. This service is for those who already have digital products but just need a robust platform or for newbies needing ideas on which digital products to sell, she goes through ebooks, eCourses, printable’s etc. She can offer guidance on the best tools and resources for digital businesses and blogs about product launching, marketing and sales page creation.
In true Mummy Conquering Anxiety fashion, I wanted to post something real and honest for Mental Health Awareness Week this year! I want to remind you all, these posts are hard for me to write and probably, for you to hear. However, the topic is relevant and important. Creating my new beginning, in respect of my career, was the best thing I ever did. And I know other people are experiencing the same treatment at work.
I second guess myself about whether I should publish these posts and therefore, this one has been in the pipeline for a while. However, now is the right time to release this post. Because my work situation is now vastly different. I am a different person, with a different outlook. BUT I will always be a mental health advocate.
The back story
Here goes. I wrote this post a while ago, as a means of getting through one of the most stressful times in my life. As it happens, changing my situation was also the most life-changing.
Following total burnout in my job, I suffered a complete mental breakdown. Cue falling to the floor, tears, not making any sense. Like someone switched off my brain. And it wouldn’t restart. At the time, I didn’t want it to. It was the lowest point of my life. I’d suffered from low points with my mental health in the past. High anxiety levels and depression were common in times of stress, but it was never this bad.
The culture must change. We can no longer pile an unreasonable amount of pressure on employees and expect them not to eventually burn out.
My personal experience
The return to work – almost at my new beginning
Following months’ off work and pressure to return, I went back into the workplace. And eagerly awaited a redundancy date. Having an end date in sight, kept me going.
Ultimately, I was temporarily throwing myself back into a situation where miscommunication and downright rudeness in the workplace, had led me to a mental breakdown. Going back into that situation, for even a day, was going to be a mammoth task. Remember when I returned, I didn’t know how long I would stay in the role. And I don’t do very well with the unknown. It’s one of the biggest drivers of my anxiety. Knowing where I stand and having a routine helps keep it under control.
My life is different and much happier, and I now have support in my new workplace. And I am thankful for the journey because it taught me so much about my mental strength in challenging times.
Getting back into it
Upon my return, I was left alone for the first month, with everyone telling me “we want to make sure you’re okay“, “bear in mind your mental health” and I knew it was bullshit. It was a line they had to say to appear supportive. That’s what some workplaces do. In this day and age, for some businesses, it’s all talk, no action. And I think it’s despicable. I would rather the business be honest and not have a mental health policy at all, rather than provide empty words on such an important topic.
Jobless, ‘unemployed’ was soon going to be my label. All of a sudden I felt a lack of self-confidence. A lack of security. An urge to review my money situation and sort out bills that still needed paying, with one less income. But I still had not recovered fully and didn’t have the energy. A battle between wanting to prioritise myself for once, but lacking the motivation to do so.
I hope EVERYONE starts to place the same physical illness value on mental illness. Especially after we’ve all endured so much trauma lately.
Poor management
Another factor in all my previous job roles, was a lack of knowledge at the top. Yes, managers are there to manage, not necessarily understand how to do your job. But if they don’t have a clue about the work the people they are supposed to be supporting do daily, what’s the point? How will they ever recognise the stress triggers of overworked staff? How do they even know what too much work is?
From a human perspective, we should all be able to communicate appropriately with someone whos suffered a mental breakdown. But this takes training and awareness!
I’ve written previously about how I witnessed rude, biased, and bullying behaviour in workplaces I was part of, and this spans my whole working life. Although I wouldn’t relive the pandemic if I had a choice, I do hope it’s brought significant changes to the office environment in the UK. The culture must change. We can no longer pile an unreasonable amount of pressure on employees and expect them not to eventually burn out.
Where it all went wrong
My first anxiety-filled morning began a while after I returned to work. When you’re constantly having to justify yourself and the work you are completing, it is exhausting. This is what I was being asked to do on this occasion and given my mental health history, I think there was a better way of doing things.
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My thoughts in hindsight
Throughout all of this, I do have some grasp of the fact that employees in the department were under daily stress because of an impending redundancy and I take on board the fact this can impact a person’s behaviour. But it still doesn’t make poor behaviour towards staff correct. And it certainly doesn’t help my already fragile anxiety levels. From a human perspective, we should all be able to communicate appropriately with someone whos suffered a mental breakdown. But this takes training and awareness!
The redundancy announcement
It is hurtful when you’ve invested so much time and energy into your career and it comes to an end in this way. My heart goes out to anyone whos been through or is currently going through a redundancy process.
On the day I found out our redundancy date, I felt numb. I thought I would feel differently. It felt just like any other announcement. Following my mental health struggles, I couldn’t be bothered sorting out the admin and conversations involved in leaving. I wouldn’t feel satisfied until I had left the company and the redundancy money was in my bank.
Jobless, ‘unemployed’ was soon going to be my label. All of a sudden I felt a lack of self-confidence. A lack of security. An urge to review my money situation and sort out bills that still needed paying, with one less income. But I still had not recovered fully and didn’t have the energy. A battle between wanting to prioritise myself for once, but lacking the motivation to do so.
10 days to go – the worst 10 days of my life
10 days to go. Then I would be unemployed. Something I never anticipated I would be happy about. Finally, done and dusted with the workplace that I once loved, but then also caused me unreasonable amounts of stress.
To deal with the anger, I started journaling my feelings. I thought, what’s the point in stressing about this when I had 10 days to go. But bear in mind, that I was now a different person. More protective of my mental health. I viewed life differently. It was great I had grown in confidence to change the situation that broke me. But I was still in the situation that broke me. And I was still facing the same daily battles that sent me to hell and back.
Other posts you may like in the mental health category
Maybe these heightened feelings are normal for anyone going through a redundancy process. It’s probably just part of the process and how your mind accepts the huge change which will be happening to you at any moment. A moment someone else chooses, usually based on money-making and not paying any attention to your life.
The current employment situation in the UK
I can tell you, from my recent experience of visiting the job centre, unstable job conditions have impacted a lot of people and the department is inundated. The knock-on effect of COVID, and greedy CEOs making reckless decisions, together with a failing economy, have created a recipe for disaster. And it’s set to get even worse!
Yes, there are jobs out there, but the game has changed. I’m hoping the shift will eventually benefit office workers and companies to start to value mental health. I hope EVERYONE starts to place the same physical illness value on mental illness. Especially after we’ve all endured so much trauma lately.
Some of you might be asking why I went back to the workplace at all. Well, I wanted and deserved the redundancy payment. I also deserved to be treated like a human being. Bear in mind, that I am an advocate for mental well-being and society ditching the stigma those with mental illnesses suffer. I couldn’t just let this situation slide, without showing up and standing up for myself. In turn, I felt like I was also standing up for other people.
I considered raising concerns, then I weighed this up against the mental exhaustion this would exert and the potential of really gaining anything. In the end, I cut my losses and decided to start putting my energy into my new life.
Work should be a complementary part of our lives, not the thing that makes it unliveable
TO clarify, I’m all for mental health training in the workplace. But it has to be great training, run by people who’ve experienced dealing with a mental health crisis first hand. It can’t just be another set of standard lines companies use to protect themselves.
Trusted training resources
Mind conducts workplace training and I would trust them as a great resource. It’s also great to see the training by Rethink Mental Illness had input from people with lived experience. There are also other smaller companies running mental health training and there is value out there.
Workplaces – please create a different process for mental health absences
Another significant issue that made me feel like my mental illness wasn’t valid, was the return to work process. Workplaces need to create different policies for mental health circumstances. As they would do a terminal illness or a bereavement. Any other unusual situation, which doesn’t fit into the category of physical health.
My hope for HR departments in the future
Whilst I don’t have personal experience of it, I hope other employers are already doing the great things I’ve suggested. I hope this blog post doesn’t need to be read by most companies, but my own experience was just a stand-alone negative one. In conducting some research for this post I found this promising article about HR awards won by a building society. I wish all businesses would adopt this approach.
It’s also important for HR to check the company ethos is being implemented in all departments. And ensure there isn’t a disconnect between individual departments.
The main point
My life is different and much happier, and I now have support in my new workplace. And I am thankful for the journey because it taught me so much about my mental strength in challenging times.
Worrying statistics
The statistics for mental health-related absences in the UK look grim. And some of the research was conducted pre-pandemic. Arguably, we are in a worse position currently. Worst still, people are sometimes dismissed as a result of their mental health struggles.
How can we continue to accept this treatment?
One final note about burnout
Whilst I am still trying to make sense of what happened to me, I faced complete burnout as a result of overdoing it. I want to take this opportunity to tell all my readers this is not the way you have to live. Yes, we all need money. Both I and my hubby have to work to pay bills and live, but it is possible to balance this with looking after your mental health.
My wish for the future is that employers become the ones who prioritise this on behalf of their employees. And they avoid creating a culture where people feel they need to do more for the same money. Employ more staff, reduce the workload, and spend money to ease pressure on your staff!
Will you ever recover from burnout? I have. Granted, I am not the same person I was before. I now take less rubbish and I know, my boundaries. I won’t ever allow a repeat of this situation.
Final thoughts
This is my journal of a tough time in my life. In keeping with the theme of this blog, I wanted to share this with you because I want to help other people in the same situation. I want other people to realise they are not alone. Thankfully, I have recently started a new chapter in my career and I am in a better place.
Let time know what you think of the post in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
Because this is such an emotive issue for me, it would be great to hear from anyone who can relate. Your comments are much appreciated and it helps me and other people know we are not alone in our struggles.
Please go and show my May 2022 advertisers some love, by commenting, sharing their posts, and interacting with one another. I regularly post on Twitter about the blogging community and how it is great to be part of such a supportive group of people.
There is something for everyone in this bunch.
I will start with two amazing advertisers returning for a second month on this blog, and I am so happy to have them.
My blog was originally set up to discuss all things book related and to share what I have learned about the environment. I am passionate about both of these subjects but occasionally I comment on TV and films as well as travel. Check out my posts to find out about great books, tips for being ecofriendly and other life hacks.
I am a supportive motivator as a coach, and I’ve always loved being around people from all over the world. I’m a transformational life coach and happy to help you reach your goals for a richer, more fulfilling life. Likewise, I help people understand gain self-awareness so they can figure out what’s keeping them stuck, which limiting beliefs hold them back, or what emotional meets are not getting met so they can understand how to create better boundaries and standards in their relationships. In particular, I can help you when you’re at that point of saying ‘Enough!’ – I want something better!
If you’re like many people, 2022 might not exactly feel like it’s gotten off the ground for you yet. The last few years have been hard on everyone and many people feel stuck in a constant cycle of stress, uncertainty, stagnancy & lack of fulfilment.
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Start letting go of past issues and experiences that still affect how you see yourself today
Uncover your strengths to quiet that mean little voice that criticizes you, compares you to others, or tells you you’re not good enough.
Envision the life you want along with transformational life coaching and future pacing exercises to make it all real in your head.
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And now for a NEW ENTRY this month
Lady Boss Nomad – Amber
A little bit about the blog
Having owned a successful service-based bookkeeping business and starting as a small business owner running my bricks and mortar greeting card business on Etsy I know a few tricks of the trade. I’m a smart savvy business owner with a creative edge. I can help you with your product creation through to launch, list building and marketing of your new products. If you’re service-based I can help you set up systems to attract the right clients.
Please also check out Amber’s other blog.
And lookout for a guest post from Amber on my blog this month.
Blog posts you should check out
Self Discovery Through Journaling is the Key to a Fulfilled Life
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