Broken point
It's been a while since I last wrote a blog entry, and throughout that time I've contemplated writing plenty but not been able to find the words. I guess this is pretty much the story of my life. Wanting to talk but not knowing how to, or being scared of the outcome.
Finding the words is half the battle when you don't even understand your feelings, how do you explain the loneliness and emptiness to others when you don't even want to contemplate those thoughts yourself.
Just before Christmas this year I began to have thoughts that weren't entirely to my liking. I put it down to the usual feelings I get around that time. They'll pass.
Christmas came around, the thoughts were getting worse. The nagging thought that something isn't right. I was deeply unhappy. It was only Christmas day afternoon that I found myself at peace. As a family we were all enjoying time together.
The 27th I was back at work, this will help, I thought, the job keeps me busy and focused. Then the thumping heart beat would start. Anxiety? Why? Stupidly I ignored it. I began to feel sorry for myself, and it began to manifest in to something much darker.
New year, new start. Yup pretty much, but not a new start I'd wish on anyone. Looking back now it all seems so clear. I was irritable, looking to pick fights, writing incendiary tweets to get the reaction I wanted. Bad vibes.
The days passed and I became focused on finding a way out of my darkness. This is the bit I find hardest to write, but I feel it needs to be put out there, for people to understand it can happen, and something can be done to stop it.
I began to Google ways to end my life. I began planning when would be the best time to do it. I knew it would destroy people's lives so what date would be the best to lessen the impact years down the line. My heart is thumping as I write this now. It's a matter of when, not if. I needed out, I couldn't see my life improving, or even staying the same. It was getting worse.
Thankfully I slipped up, something totally unrelated to my own battles opened the flood gates. My reckless nature almost destroyed the woman I love. It all came rushing out. How I'd felt for weeks, how quickly those feelings developed, my worries and stresses, my plan to end it all.
My wife was destroyed, she'd heard it before, other than attempting to take my own life. I couldn't do this to her over and over again, my brain was screaming "get out, get out now, there's no way back". Mrs G had other ideas, basically calling me an idiot. Putting others before my own mental health. Home truths. They hurt but everything was brought in to a very sharp focus. This woman would do anything for me. I needed to realise that. We talked, hugged, listened and laughed.
Talking I could suddenly see a future. I wasn't on my own. Rather than tumbling over a cliff, I was now hanging on, and in weeks to come, I can camber to safety.
It's not a fairy tale. It isn't just a case of me talking and every thing being fine. I'm still very capable of misinterpreting something and thinking the worst. It's learning that it's not the case.
The support from people on twitter, people I barely know, friends and colleagues has been overwhelming. It will be incredibly embarrassing meeting these people next time, but at least there will be a next time.
Time to talk day is February 7th, I implore you to take the time to start a conversation.
Peace, and thank you.
Finding the words is half the battle when you don't even understand your feelings, how do you explain the loneliness and emptiness to others when you don't even want to contemplate those thoughts yourself.
Just before Christmas this year I began to have thoughts that weren't entirely to my liking. I put it down to the usual feelings I get around that time. They'll pass.
Christmas came around, the thoughts were getting worse. The nagging thought that something isn't right. I was deeply unhappy. It was only Christmas day afternoon that I found myself at peace. As a family we were all enjoying time together.
The 27th I was back at work, this will help, I thought, the job keeps me busy and focused. Then the thumping heart beat would start. Anxiety? Why? Stupidly I ignored it. I began to feel sorry for myself, and it began to manifest in to something much darker.
New year, new start. Yup pretty much, but not a new start I'd wish on anyone. Looking back now it all seems so clear. I was irritable, looking to pick fights, writing incendiary tweets to get the reaction I wanted. Bad vibes.
The days passed and I became focused on finding a way out of my darkness. This is the bit I find hardest to write, but I feel it needs to be put out there, for people to understand it can happen, and something can be done to stop it.
I began to Google ways to end my life. I began planning when would be the best time to do it. I knew it would destroy people's lives so what date would be the best to lessen the impact years down the line. My heart is thumping as I write this now. It's a matter of when, not if. I needed out, I couldn't see my life improving, or even staying the same. It was getting worse.
Thankfully I slipped up, something totally unrelated to my own battles opened the flood gates. My reckless nature almost destroyed the woman I love. It all came rushing out. How I'd felt for weeks, how quickly those feelings developed, my worries and stresses, my plan to end it all.
My wife was destroyed, she'd heard it before, other than attempting to take my own life. I couldn't do this to her over and over again, my brain was screaming "get out, get out now, there's no way back". Mrs G had other ideas, basically calling me an idiot. Putting others before my own mental health. Home truths. They hurt but everything was brought in to a very sharp focus. This woman would do anything for me. I needed to realise that. We talked, hugged, listened and laughed.
Talking I could suddenly see a future. I wasn't on my own. Rather than tumbling over a cliff, I was now hanging on, and in weeks to come, I can camber to safety.
It's not a fairy tale. It isn't just a case of me talking and every thing being fine. I'm still very capable of misinterpreting something and thinking the worst. It's learning that it's not the case.
The support from people on twitter, people I barely know, friends and colleagues has been overwhelming. It will be incredibly embarrassing meeting these people next time, but at least there will be a next time.
Time to talk day is February 7th, I implore you to take the time to start a conversation.
Peace, and thank you.
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