Looking After Your Mind — Not Just on World Mental Health Day
By Linda Mather (Lead Nurse & Director)
4 minute read
Today is World Mental Health Day (Friday 10th October) — a day dedicated to raising awareness around mental health issues. But really, it shouldn’t just be one day a year. Our mental wellbeing — and that of those around us — deserves our attention and care every single day.
It’s so easy to put everyone else’s needs before our own. We say yes when we’re already stretched, we give when we’re running on empty, and we keep showing up for others even when we desperately need a pause. Then one day, we wake up feeling exhausted and frustrated — frustrated that the people we’ve jumped through hoops for aren’t always willing to do the same for us.
The Pressure of Perfection
I often talk to people — mostly women — who tell me how much social media impacts how they feel about themselves. In the world of aesthetics, that pressure can feel even more intense. We’re constantly surrounded by polished images of people living seemingly perfect lives. It can chip away at our self-esteem and make our own worlds feel somehow “less than.”
But here’s what I’ve realised: when I look for these shiny, flawless people in real life… I can’t seem to find many of them. The people I do meet who seem genuinely happy and fulfilled are rarely posting online. They’re too busy living their lives — not performing them. And maybe that’s the secret: true contentment doesn’t need an audience.
Learning to “Let Them”
Lately, I’ve been really drawn to something called the “Let Them Theory.” The idea is simple but powerful — if people want to do something, let them. If they exclude you, let them. If they misunderstand you, let them. If they don’t give back the same energy you give them, let them.
It sounds small, but this shift has made a huge difference in my life. I can’t control how others act — but I can control how much I let it affect me. And since I started “letting them,” I’ve found more peace, more calm, and more time for the things that truly matter.
Finding My Calm
In the spirit of World Mental Health Day, I want to share something honestly: I sometimes struggle with my own mental health. I move between depression and anxiety, and when I’m in neither of those spaces, I’m at peace. These days, I’m working hard to make those peaceful stretches last longer — by doing more of the things that make me genuinely happy.
Here are a few of mine:
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Sitting in the garden in the morning (even if it’s raining!) with a cup of tea and the cat.
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Laughing — properly and often.
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Planting things, watching them grow, then harvesting them.
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Sharing my garden produce with others.
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Making chutney with my brother.
They’re small moments, but they fill me up — and that’s what self-care is really about.
So, this World Mental Health Day, take a moment to pause. Think about the simple things that bring you joy and peace. Be grateful for them. And remember — looking after yourself isn’t selfish, it’s essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Happy World Mental Health Day,
Linda xxx
