R U OK Day

By Freya Anastasia Hatfield

Today we reach out and ask the big question.

A question it seems gets lost on any other day.

It’s three little words that simply pass us by

So easy to say, yet so hard when said out loud

Are you OK?

It’s a reminder not just for today but every day.

Not just for this year but every year 

To remind you to ask your friends and whanau.

Ask your colleagues and strangers.

Reminding them to ask their loved ones

Are you OK?

It can be from how they are coping with day to day life.

How they are coping with family and work-life

Mentally, emotionally, physically and even spiritually

It doesn’t just go skin deep, how we feel can affect every cell.

Are you OK?

It should be as natural as saying hi to someone you walk past.

As easy as a simple wave, to someone on the street

A fraise that gets said every day not just today

Second nature for us all to remember.

Are you OK?

This is your reminder for today, this week and every day.

Ask those you love and care about, even those you don’t

Don’t let it stop there, talk, let them know you are there.

If they respond with a no, don’t walk away, 

Arrange a time for when you can sit and talk,

It’s betting knowing you have someone there then no one at all.

Are you OK?

It doesn’t affect one age group, ask everyone from young and old.

Especially those who are on their own, check on your neighbours.

And those who live on your street, you may not talk every day.

But today make it the exception where you start.

Are you OK?

It isn’t hard to say or do, so make it part of your daily routine.

Whether it’s in person, or it’s online.

Spread the question and spread some smiles

R U OK day happens once a year, it should be said every day.

So I now ask you those three simple word.

Are you OK?

Little endnote

Thank you so much for reading this blog post, I know it may seem like this should have been a Monday upload but it seemed apt to upload it today as today in Australia is R U OK Day? It’s a national day where we ask people we walk pass, work or live with if they are OK. Its a little reminder that every day we should be asking that question. So whether you are in Australia or not, I recommend that wherever you are, ask the next person you see if they are OK, you could be surprised by their response, if they say they’re good that’s great, if their answer is no, have a talk with them let them know they are not along and for at least a little while they have someone to talk to, you could change their day.

If you are in Australia here is the R U OK? website, it gives you more information on how to ask, the signs to look out for if someone isn’t OK, what you can do to help and if you can a link to donate to help spread the awareness and help more Aussies learn and know about R U OK Day?  https://www.ruok.org.au/  

Thank you again for reading, I hope wherever you are you have a lovely day and don’t forget to ask are you OK? Not just today but every day.

Love always Thinking out loud xx :D

Mental Health Monday week 2

Hi Thinking out loud here xx :D

This week I thought I would do a bit of a check-in on how we are all feeling and coping with how things are currently given COVID and the bizarre year we are having, so at the bottom of this blog post comment how you have been coping and let's try and help each other, and say what has been working for us in keeping things as normal as we can, in a time where nothing seems to be normal.

I started at the beginning of COIVD with finding it a breeze as an introvert I couldn't have wished for anything more, having to stay in a dream come true. Like everything there becomes a point where enough is enough, and you eventually find yourself needing to take a break and take some time out from what you initially thought you could deal with as being a new normal. The first wave I'm sure we all found it easier to cope with, we didn't know what to expect from going outside unless it was essential, masks were talked about as much, and washing hands become more talked about, something I think we can all agree on that we should have and should still do regardless, of any bugs and viruses being around. Now we are having second waves, we know a little more about COVID but as far as viruses and bugs go it is still new, it's still in its infancy and we still have so much to learn about it. As much as we maybe don't want to admit it, more of us who maybe haven't experienced as much anxiety/depression and other illness are starting to experience them. It's ok to be feeling like this as many of us are away from family, friends and we don't know when we will be able to see them face to face and not on a screen. I for one can not wait to be able to give my parents, brother and friends the biggest hugs, I'm still hopefully for November/December, this is possibly the only thing keeping me a little sain.

I have over these past months, found ways of coping, for me, those are writing, blogging (this year I have uploaded the most blog posts than any other year since I started this blog back in 2015,) watched more Netflix than I usually would have, even venturing into watching some horror films. I have found that doing a couple of sudokus which has been relaxing and reading when I've had time. I am also slowly getting into a skincare routine and nighttime routine both of which remind me how important self-care is and how much it is needed. Before COVID, I was going to yoga since COVID I have been twice in the past month and both times realised how much I had missed it and again how much it helps as a head clearer as I said in last weeks #MentalHealthMonday. I also have found gardening specifically weeding to be such a good destresser and work out, it's rewarding and you can instantly see a change unlike some tasks where the change happens overtime.

These are a few things that have helped me during this year and something I am going to continue doing, if they also help you let me know in the comments also let me know what works for you; I hope we can help each other as we find our way through COVID and keep on track with our mental health.

I hope you have a lovely day where ever you are and hope these mental health Mondays will help and come in useful if you have any suggestions of what I can write about in future MHM leave your suggestions in the comments, also share these blogs around so we can reach as many people as possible.

As always thank you for reading Love always Thinking out loud xx :D