RUOK?

Collaboration with  RUOK & EcoCaffe 

RUOK-style-and-life-by-susana

“All it takes is a beautiful fake smile to hide an injured soul and they will never notice how broken you really are.” Robin Williams

We now in live in a society where the thoughts of others, what people wear, what people do, where they are going, who they hang out with – even what they eat, their religion or sexual preferences, their likes/dislikes, their unusual quirky/weird behaviour …it can all consume our mental processes.

There is a small percentage of us that worry about what others think of us (I confess, I still do – I shouldn’t but I do) and why that person doesn’t like us when others do. We are constantly comparing ourselves, our lives with everyone and anyone.

While social media is great, keeps us in contact with family & friends from around the world, brings the news, music, movies and so much more, right there and then at our finger tips, keeps us on the pulse of what is trending in the world – unfortunately, social media can also tear a person apart. 

With social bullying at an all time high, it can in that instant where you were may have been so happy for that moment as you decided to check out your Instagram or Facebook feed and notice you either haven’t received as many likes as you thought you might have, or if some ugly troll has left a degrading, soul destroying comment – the happiness you felt before, can be taken away in a mili second by someone else.

RUOK-style-and-life-by-susana

Every person reacts differently or handles every day life situations better or much worse than others. Mental health is something that should and needs to be spoken about more often, and freely without any judgements.

Last year I opened up about my battle with anxiety and depression and I pretty much tried as best as I could for such a very long long time, tried to hide it behind a mirror – literally, and not let anyone close to me (and that meant my husband, family, friends and work colleagues) know that I was suffering …and more so, drowning.

I just didn’t want to be a burden to anyone and especially I didn’t want my friends or colleagues to think any differently of me, that I had been feeling this way and more importantly that I was suffering from a mental illness.

I’m here to say that it is OK to ask for help and to never feel ashamed or to think that you are weak. Also, I’m here to encourage people to ask someone, if they see that that person looks sad and down – just ask them if they are OK.

The difference it makes to a person, whether it is a stranger, your girlfriend, husband or best-friend – or even, an ex-friend, is such a huge HUGE thing! It can make a such an overwhelming difference to someone who is feeling so alone, so sad and/or upset.  Just by having someone to listen to you, to offer their time and their shoulder, makes a world of difference. 

Just remember our minds are incredibly powerful and have the ability to convince us that something is how it showing us, when it may be the other way around. It knows how to manipulate and trick us, more so when we are feeling at our lowest point. Thats why it’s so important to stay strong and rise above any sudden upset, sadness or loss of control in whatever situations. 

RUOK-style-and-life-by-susana

My own anxiety and depression is on-going battle that I live with. Most day and weeks, I am so happy, energetic, ambitious and so full of life, and then out of the blue, something is triggered and I fall into a silent heap, wanting and searching to hide behind the walls in my home and/or put up a pretend mask, a character to hide my anguish, suffering and pain until I can’t any longer.

Most of the time I try to lean on my husband and mother when I am going through a rough time – although I will be completely honest, and its so wrong of me but I pretty much have to be at almost rock bottom before I ever ask them for any help. I admit that it’s wrong and it is something I am  truly trying to learn to improve. But I know that once I’ve poured my heart out, done my ugly Kim Kardashian cry face – I do feel so much better. Its like a load has been lifted off of my shoulders, and I know that someone cares. 

It’s such an overwhelming sense of relief to speak to someone about how you are feeling, pouring your heart out about what is bringing you down and (in some cases) they may be able to help you out. But it doesn’t matter, the first step is that they are listening to you but more importantly, that you are talking about what is hurting you.

Just by you speaking to someone, will release a-lot of the pressure, some of the anguish and in time, release any negative thoughts and feelings out of you, that you start to feel a little less lighter and maybe, just maybe, with a little more energy and peace inside of you. 

Remember, nobody is perfect or will ever be. We all have our own struggles, insecurities & imperfections, and life already is hard enough as it is. Lets stop the social media bullying (well, bullying of any kind), the making fun of someone because they are different and the judgments, as you just never know what that person may be going through.

Let’s show more kindness, understanding, love, patience & care, and less judgement, cruelty & hate in this world.

Let's catch up over coffee!

RUOK-style-and-life-by-susana

I am so proud & honoured to team up with RUOK and EcoCaffe to help bring continued awareness to RUOK

For those who don’t know what it is – RUOK is a suicide prevention charity in Australia, it is there to help people who are struggling with life, in all shapes & forms.

For those who follow my blog, you all know that I suffer from extreme anxiety & depression, and having an organisation like this is truly inspiring, and incredibly so needed!

The wonderful thing about EcoCaffe is that their coffee is ethical and biogradeable. So if you have a Nespresso machine, you just have to buy this delicious coffee! EcoCaffe will donate $5 to every $35 that is spent on their coffee.

And what’s more, $50 from every, ‘I Shine’ coffee/jewellery package (incl. 100 x biogradeable pods and a “I Shine” solid sterling necklace.

Please get behind this campaign & support it. The more awareness we have, the more walls are broken down & the stigma of mental health will slowly disappear. And if you see someone, who just doesn’t seem OK, just ask them… RUOK? ?

If you, or someone you know, is going through a tough time – contact your local head space centre, or chat online or give them a ring on the telephone:

Lifeline – 13 11 14

Call 24/7 for crisis support

Suicide Callback Service – 1300 659 467

People at risk of suicide, carers and bereaved

Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800

Counselling for young people
5–25 years

Grief Line – 1300 845 745

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11 Comments
  • sienna7
    November 5, 2017

    This is such an inspiring post and it’s so important to talk about it. Well done!

    xoxo Sienna
    https://www.fashionintheair.com/2017/11/how-to-wear-red-like-cool-girl.html

  • Patricia Lora
    November 4, 2017

    Love this post babe. I think a lot of us compare our selves to other because we see others highlight reel and never the blind the scenes and think we aren’t living a glamorous life like others. Such a crazy world we live in. XO

  • Nina Bosken
    November 3, 2017

    I really commend you for being so open about this. I also agree that asking for help is hard. We never want to bother people and we always want to try to be independent.

  • Chrissy Baclagan
    November 2, 2017

    As a person who has struggles with both crippling depression and anxiety, it’s always a great reminder to know that you’re not alone. I’m also happy that there are companies like RUOK, too. x

  • JM Kayne
    November 1, 2017

    When we see people not at their best, I think it is good that we go ahead and take the first step to pay attention to them, approach and talk. Majority of the pople nowadays portray a “happy” life in their social media status/photos but are actually going through depressions… Let’s all be vigilant.

    God Bless!

    JM Kayne | #InMyHeart♥

  • Candace Hampton
    November 1, 2017

    I can definitely relate to things spoken in this post, as I have gone through a bit of depression myself. It’s so good there are programs out there like RUOK to help!

  • MariaMilea
    November 1, 2017

    I think if we all thought about the others at a deeper level, many things would change. Sometimes we don’t event realise that we might hurt others with our actions or words. Paying attention and caring about how the others around us feel and how we make them feel is a very important process and we should all give it a go. Simply asking someone if they’re ok when we see that they’re down, can make a huge difference.

  • Leanne Brookes
    October 31, 2017

    I completely agree about communication. Talking to my Husband has been incredibly important through out my journey. Some people may not understand what we’re going through, but it’s important to at least give them the chance to try. Great post!

  • Sheree Ho
    October 31, 2017

    What a great post, so inspiring and thought provoking. I have written about social bullying in the past and I think it is a large problem in today’s world. People who think that they can hide behind a computer screen and just be mean and bully people around need to be called out. I am glad that there are organizations who can help with social bullying and those who are in need of assistance.

    xo Sheree
    Posh Classy Mom

  • Candy
    October 31, 2017

    It is so important to be able to talk to someone at times when you are not feeling your best. Talking really does help and it’s also extremely important to let that person they are not alone. I’m so glad there are organizations like RUOK out there to help people who are in need.

  • Jane Shussa
    October 31, 2017

    RUOK, Susana? Thank you for sharing this. I totally agree, when you ask a person who looks down if they are OK it makes all the difference. For them knowing that even a single person cares to ask is really helpful. And yes, talking about how you feel helps so much to relieve the burden your heart feels. I hope you win this battle soon, Susana.