Five months, that was the length of my last very low period. It came in gradually... there some days, gone the next. I don't fit within any NHS guidelines to qualify for help or support and I'm wary of antidepressants after my last three prescriptions left me suffering so many side affects that I didn't know how to deal with anything. I know that I need to do what I can to help myself and continue to be there for my young family.

Coming out of a bad patch gives a new clarity to things, like the way new colours in Spring can look twice as bright as the flowers do in Summer. I feel more sociable again, easy does it with the social calendar though, I've learnt not to run head first into a hedonistic booking of coffees and evenings out, just go steady, I might feel better but I'm still in a recovery and there could still be a bad day or two.

So this time, whilst I'm in the throes of peace time within myself, I'm going to shore up my defenses. That might sound like I'm being overly pessimistic expecting the worst to happen but I'm really not. It's a positive thing, I'm preparing to help myself be well.

I'm looking at recipes from The Happy Kitchen #goodmoodfood and trying them out whilst I have the clarity and appetite to do so, I've tried a few that are already becoming staples for me and will be easy to make however I am feeling... sweet potato and chickpea curry!

I'm trying to do some different forms of exercise whilst I can motivate myself. I went to a Clubbercise class on Saturday, neon face paints and glow sticks were obligatory and it's in the dark so less awkwardness! I went on a 'Mental Health Mates' walk and was immeasurably lifted by meeting with other people with the same issues as well as getting some fresh air in a new setting, these take place monthly in different towns and cities across the country.

I've joined a local WI, I've always wanted to, but lately my self confidence had been so low that I wasn't up to any kind of new group thing. I know that I get a buzz from learning new things and being creative so I'm hoping that if I hit another low patch I'll still be able to get myself to a meeting and feel some benefit.

Two months ago I'd have found one of the above enough to cope with and I know I can be guilty of overdoing things when I get a window of mental clarity. Like many other people, if I'm not going to qualify for help with my mental health problems then I'm going to have to cast my net as far and wide as possible whilst I'm able and stockpile all the resources that I can ready for when the next storm hits.

Lizzie

A Moodscope member.