
Mental health. A tricky subject. There are many who gloss over it and others who worry endlessly. I’m more the latter, and it’s done me no good.
In the last few years, I’ve taken the issue more seriously. Why? Because I realise the importance of looking after myself. Everyone has mental health and no one’s infallible. Some are more resilient than others and I applaud their tenacity. But everyone has their limit. Sooner or later, something’s got to give. If you physically assert yourself without rest, there’ll be a point where the body screams no more. Rest is the only option. The greater the exertion, the greater the recovery time. The same applies to mental health. There’s only so much stress the body and mind can take before problems surface and then comes shutdown. So, what’s the answer, I hear you say? I say, self-love. Be kind to you.
We live in a fast-paced world. Everyone wants everything yesterday. Employers view staff as commodities. Dispensable and easily replaceable, thus people will always be under pressure to perform. The rat race’s never been rattier. At least there’s a structure of sorts. Start time, finish time, and breaks, though the lines between work and free time have become somewhat blurred in the last decade. Employers have the right to contact staff outside designated work hours and, it seems, the employee must tolerate this odious behaviour.

Mental health. A tricky subject. There are many who gloss over it and others who worry endlessly. I’m more the latter, and it’s done me no good.
In the last few years, I’ve taken the issue more seriously. Why? Because I realise the importance of looking after myself. Everyone has mental health and no one’s infallible. Some are more resilient than others and I applaud their tenacity. But everyone has their limit. Sooner or later, something’s got to give. If you physically assert yourself without rest, there’ll be a point where the body screams no more. Rest is the only option. The greater the exertion, the greater the recovery time. The same applies to mental health. There’s only so much stress the body and mind can take before problems surface and then comes shutdown. So, what’s the answer, I hear you say? I say, self-love. Be kind to you.
We live in a fast-paced world. Everyone wants everything yesterday. Employers view staff as commodities. Dispensable and easily replaceable, thus people will always be under pressure to perform. The rat race’s never been rattier. At least there’s a structure of sorts. Start time, finish time, and breaks, though the lines between work and free time have become somewhat blurred in the last decade. Employers have the right to contact staff outside designated work hours and, it seems, the employee must tolerate this odious behaviour.




For me, self-employment is a no-brainer, but that doesn’t free me from the pitfalls of mental health issues. I have a responsibility to myself, so, in the words of Baldrick from Blackadder, I’ve devised a cunning plan comprising several steps. It may not work for everyone, and is not foolproof, but this plan works for me.
- The right place to live. For a few blissful years, I rented a lovely country cottage in the Scottish Borders. Having cows, sheep, and wildlife as neighbours was a massive positive on my mental health. The location and quality of where you live are of paramount importance. No one wants to feel unsafe (mentally as well as physically) in their own home. Some people prefer towns and cities, but I’m a country person at heart and prefer to be soothed by Mother Nature. Give me peace and quiet over hustle and bustle anytime. Having a pet’s a big plus as well. Tahlula, my tuxedo cat, is undoubtedly a madam and I am a slave to her, but I love that furball to bits.
- I clearly define work time and free time and strive not to allow the boundaries to blur. Easier said than done. When I lived in the country, I had the luxury of sleeping, working, and enjoying free time in different locations. This always helped to separate the various activities in my head. Unfortunately, during Covid, personal circumstances forced me to move to a town, and from a house to a flat. Not ideal, as I mostly work, rest, and sleep in the same room. I keep telling myself this isn’t permanent, but I can’t move at the moment, so make the most of the situation and ways to manage my mental health. With self-employment, there’s no one to tell you when to start and finish, so you work when you want. The downside is you can work too much and not get enough rest time. I remind myself to take regular screen breaks, as well as stretching and meditation to ease the stresses of modern life. Rest and recreation are vital and I aim to prioritise them equally with work.
For me, self-employment is a no-brainer, but that doesn’t free me from the pitfalls of mental health issues. I have a responsibility to myself, so, in the words of Baldrick from Blackadder, I’ve devised a cunning plan comprising several steps. It may not work for everyone, and is not foolproof, but this plan works for me.
- The right place to live. For a few blissful years, I rented a lovely country cottage in the Scottish Borders. Having cows, sheep, and wildlife as neighbours was a massive positive on my mental health. The location and quality of where you live are of paramount importance. No one wants to feel unsafe (mentally as well as physically) in their own home. Some people prefer towns and cities, but I’m a country person at heart and prefer to be soothed by Mother Nature. Give me peace and quiet over hustle and bustle anytime. Having a pet’s a big plus as well. Tahlula, my tuxedo cat, is undoubtedly a madam and I am a slave to her, but I love that furball to bits.
- I clearly define work time and free time and strive not to allow the boundaries to blur. Easier said than done. When I lived in the country, I had the luxury of sleeping, working, and enjoying free time in different locations. This always helped to separate the various activities in my head. Unfortunately, during Covid, personal circumstances forced me to move to a town, and from a house to a flat. Not ideal, as I mostly work, rest, and sleep in the same room. I keep telling myself this isn’t permanent, but I can’t move at the moment, so make the most of the situation and ways to manage my mental health. With self-employment, there’s no one to tell you when to start and finish, so you work when you want. The downside is you can work too much and not get enough rest time. I remind myself to take regular screen breaks, as well as stretching and meditation to ease the stresses of modern life. Rest and recreation are vital and I aim to prioritise them equally with work.






2. I look to get out and immerse in nature as much as possible. Live, breathe, eat and sleep the great outdoors. Okay, that might sound excessive, but, in my opinion, you can’t get enough of trees, plants, and country air. Your mind and body will thank you for it. Nature has a remarkable healing and calming effect that should never be underestimated. During warmer months, being under canopy is the best place to be on a muggy day. Not only do trees provide shade, but they also cool the surrounding air (through a process called transpiration, their equivalent of sweating) and they even absorb and break-down pollution in the air. That’s why trees and nature are an all-round winner.
I’ll stop there, or this’ll turn into an environmental science lecture! I could go on and on, but would end up writing War & Peace Part II, and that would never do. To sum up: enjoy your living arrangements, maintain a good work/life balance—don’t blur the lines between them—and hug plenty of trees. Or, at least say hello! First, remember, take care of you. Every day.
Cheers, people. That’s me away!
Ark
2. I look to get out and immerse in nature as much as possible. Live, breathe, eat and sleep the great outdoors. Okay, that might sound excessive, but, in my opinion, you can’t get enough of trees, plants, and country air. Your mind and body will thank you for it. Nature has a remarkable healing and calming effect that should never be underestimated. During warmer months, being under canopy is the best place to be on a muggy day. Not only do trees provide shade, but they also cool the surrounding air (through a process called transpiration, their equivalent of sweating) and they even absorb and break-down pollution in the air. That’s why trees and nature are an all-round winner.
I’ll stop there, or this’ll turn into an environmental science lecture! I could go on and on, but would end up writing War & Peace Part II, and that would never do. To sum up: enjoy your living arrangements, maintain a good work/life balance—don’t blur the lines between them—and hug plenty of trees. Or, at least say hello! First, remember, take care of you. Every day.
Cheers, people. That’s me away!
Ark