“No Such Thing As Normal” was written by Bryony Gordon, founder of Mental Health Mates in the UK, an organization that hosts walking meet-ups to talk about mental health. I am grateful that I generally don’t struggle with mental health, but I still gained insights from this book.
**WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOU IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. WHAT OTHER PEOPLE DO IS NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.**
Bryony Gordon
I wish I had read this sooner! Also, if someone tells you or shows you who they are, and you don’t like it, do NOT waste time and energy trying to make them like you. The single most important factor for your well-being is not what other people think of you; it is what you think of yourself.
Worrying about the thing is almost always worse than the thing itself. This is SO true!
Instead of asking yourself “What if it all goes wrong?” ask yourself “What if it all goes right?”
Put your own mask on before attempting to help anyone else with theirs. Take care of yourself. However, if you have time to help others, it’s very hard to feel useless when you are being useful.
Things will get better when you do the work. Exercise can be one of the most important tools for helping mental illness. How to get through bad days: make a plan for each day, contact at least one person, go outside, be patient, and think about what you CAN control.
Never say anything to yourself you would not say to someone else.
Tips for better sleep: get into a routine, read before bed, and do breathing exercises.
Most people with mental health issues have to jump through hoops to get anywhere near treatment. So perhaps we should stop marginalizing and stereotyping them as weak and instead recognize them for their absolutely mind-bending strength.
There is no such thing as normal.
There were SO many resources provided in this book. However, they were all in the UK since the author lives in the UK.
I look forward to reading, learning, and sharing more with you soon!
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